Japanese dictionary
How to say "Japanese" in Japanese
日本語にほんご · Nihongo
The Japanese language is 日本語 (Nihongo). A Japanese person is 日本人 (Nihonjin). To describe something Japanese, use 日本の (Nihon no).
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Ways to say "Japanese" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 日本語にほんご · Nihongo | Japanese (language). |
| 日本人にほんじん · Nihonjin | Japanese person. |
| 日本のにほんの · Nihon no | Japanese (describing a thing). |
| 和わ · wa | Japanese style (in compounds). |
How to use it
The kanji 和 (wa) means Japanese style in compounds: 和食 (Japanese food), 和室 (Japanese-style room).
"Can you speak Japanese?" is 日本語が話せますか.
Example sentences
- 日本語を勉強しています。Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.I'm studying Japanese.
- 日本語が少し話せます。Nihongo ga sukoshi hanasemasu.I can speak a little Japanese.
- 妻は日本人です。Tsuma wa Nihonjin desu.My wife is Japanese.
- 和食と洋食、どちらがいいですか。Washoku to yōshoku, dochira ga ii desu ka.Would you prefer Japanese or Western food?
- 日本の車は人気があります。Nihon no kuruma wa ninki ga arimasu.Japanese cars are popular.
- 日本語でメールを書きました。Nihongo de mēru o kakimashita.I wrote an email in Japanese.
Kanji in this word
Questions
How do you say "I'm studying Japanese" in Japanese?
Say 日本語を勉強しています (Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu).
What does 和 mean in 和食 and 和室?
和 (wa) means Japanese style in compound words: 和食 (Japanese food), 和室 (Japanese-style room), 和菓子 (Japanese sweets).
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.