別名
betsumei[be̞t͡sɨme̞ː]
The Japanese way to say 'aka' is 別名 (betsumei).
別名 is used to introduce an alias, a nickname or an alternative name for a person, place or thing.
Meaning: also known as (prep)
How do you pronounce it?
betsumei
Did you know?
- While 別名 (betsumei) is used for aliases, Japanese culture uses 屋号 (yagō), a special kind of 'house name', as a business alias for traditional shops and families.
- The kanji 別 in 別名 also appears in the word 別居 (bekkyo) meaning 'living apart', as both rely on the concept of separation or distinction.
- When Japanese people use an alias for a social media handle or online persona, they often use the loanword ハンドルネーム (handle name) instead of 別名.
Examples in context
- この街の別名は、花の都です。Kono machi no betsumei wa, hana no miyako desu.The other name for this city is the flower capital.
- その薬の別名を教えてください。Sono kusuri no betsumei o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me the other name for that medicine.
Example conversation
A student is asking a classmate about a character in a book.
- 陽葵 Himariこのキャラクターの別名は何ですか？Kono kyarakutaa no betsumei wa nan desu ka?What is this character's other name?
- 健太 Kenta別名は「影の男」だよ。Betsumei wa 'Kage no Otoko' dayo.His alias is 'The Shadow Man'.
- 陽葵 Himari健太君、それはかっこいい名前だね。Kenta-kun, sore wa kakkoii namae dane.Kenta, that is a cool name.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、陽葵さん。Arigatou, Himari-san.Thanks, Himari.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 別名, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
