How to say "Japan" in Japanese
"Japan" in Japanese is 日本, usually read にほん (Nihon). In sports cheering and on some official items, にっぽん (Nippon) is also used.
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Ways to say "Japan" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 日本にほん · Nihon | Japan. |
| 日本にっぽん · Nippon | Japan (in some official uses and sports). |
| 日本国にほんこく · Nihonkoku | State of Japan (official name). |
How to use it
日本 means "origin of the sun," which is why Japan is called the Land of the Rising Sun.
A Japanese person is 日本人 (Nihonjin), and the Japanese language is 日本語 (Nihongo).
Example sentences
- 日本に来て三年になります。Nihon ni kite sannen ni narimasu.It's been three years since I came to Japan.
- 日本の文化が好きです。Nihon no bunka ga suki desu.I like Japanese culture.
- 日本で働いています。Nihon de hataraite imasu.I work in Japan.
- がんばれ、ニッポン！Ganbare, Nippon!Go, Japan!
- 日本は初めてですか。Nihon wa hajimete desu ka.Is this your first time in Japan?
- 日本のどこに住んでいますか。Nihon no doko ni sunde imasu ka.Where in Japan do you live?
Kanji in this word
Questions
Is Japan Nihon or Nippon?
Both are correct. にほん (Nihon) is more common in daily speech. にっぽん (Nippon) is used in sports cheering and on some official items, like stamps and banknotes.
What does 日本 mean?
日本 means "origin of the sun," giving Japan the name Land of the Rising Sun.
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