Difference between 英才【えいさい】 and 天才【てんさい】 (genius)


Can someone highlight the differences between 英才【えいさい】 and 天才【てんさい】?

When searching their definitions, I see:

英才：1. genius; brilliance; unusual talent; 2. genius; brilliance; unusual
talent

天才：genius; prodigy; natural gift

My current assumption is that a 天才 is a naturally born genius (genetic, hence
assuming good in anything), while an 英才 is a genius is a specific, specialized
(unusual?) field (assuming that genius has a talent for that field, but is not
necessarily gifted in other areas). Am I correct?

I'm also curious about other words for genius and their subtleties, if you
know some, eg: 異才｛いさい｝、俊士｛しゅんさい｝、春愁｛しゅんしゅう｝、奇才｛きさい}.

Thank you!




**天才【てんさい】** is an innate genius who is "gifted from heaven". He/she may be
extremely good at something even without much effort.

**秀才【しゅうさい】** is the next commonest word in this category. A 秀才 has some great
ability, probably due to his much effort, but may not be as good as 天才. I
think "Elite" is closer to 秀才. I often hear phrases like "彼は秀才ではあるが天才ではない",
"秀才が努力しても、天才には勝てない".

**英才【えいさい】** is similar to 秀才, but using 英才 on its own (i.e. "彼は英才だ。") is very
rare. Basically it occurs only in a few compounds, such as
[英才教育](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E8%8B%B1%E6%89%8D).

**異才【いさい】** is uncommon, and I see these words basically only in
advertisements, book reviews, etc. It means he has an unique style in
writing/drawing/composing/etc., which may not be loved by everyone. For
example, a catchphrase like "小説界の異才" claims he has an exceptional talent, but
we should know it does not necessarily mean he is exceptionally _good_.

**鬼才【きさい】** is another nuanced word, often seen in advertisements. Think of 鬼才
as "天才 AND/OR 異才". Generally 鬼才 sounds far better than 異才. Compared to the
straightforward word 天才, 鬼才 sometimes (not always) emphasizes his/her peculiar
style.




**天才【てんさい】** is an innate genius who is "gifted from heaven". He/she may be
extremely good at something even without much effort.

**秀才【しゅうさい】** is the next commonest word in this category. A 秀才 has some great
ability, probably due to his much effort, but may not be as good as 天才. I
think "Elite" is closer to 秀才. I often hear phrases like "彼は秀才ではあるが天才ではない",
"秀才が努力しても、天才には勝てない".

**英才【えいさい】** is similar to 秀才, but using 英才 on its own (i.e. "彼は英才だ。") is very
rare. Basically it occurs only in a few compounds, such as
[英才教育](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E8%8B%B1%E6%89%8D).

**異才【いさい】** is uncommon, and I see these words basically only in
advertisements, book reviews, etc. It means he has an unique style in
writing/drawing/composing/etc., which may not be loved by everyone. For
example, a catchphrase like "小説界の異才" claims he has an exceptional talent, but
we should know it does not necessarily mean he is exceptionally _good_.

**鬼才【きさい】** is another nuanced word, often seen in advertisements. Think of 鬼才
as "天才 AND/OR 異才". Generally 鬼才 sounds far better than 異才. Compared to the
straightforward word 天才, 鬼才 sometimes (not always) emphasizes his/her peculiar
style.

