カリフォルニア州
Kariforunia-shū[ka̠ɾʲiɸo̞ɾɯ̟ɲ̟ia̠ɕɨː]
California in Japanese is translated as カリフォルニア州 (Kariforunia-shū). Wiktionary also lists 加州 (Kashū).
Meaning: US state (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| カリフォルニア州 | Kariforunia-shū | [ka̠ɾʲiɸo̞ɾɯ̟ɲ̟ia̠ɕɨː] (narrow) |
| 加州 | Kashū | [ka̠ɕɨː] (narrow) |
The term refers to the US state of California.
What does it mean word for word?
The suffix 州 (shū) means 'state'.
Which one should you use?
加州 is a shortened, kanji-based abbreviation that is considered dated and is primarily found in specific historical or literary contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
Kariforunia-shū
Did you know?
- In older Japanese texts, the abbreviation 加州 (Kashū) can be a trap for the unwary. It might refer to the historical 'Kaga' province in Japan rather than 'California' in America.
- The abbreviation 加州 uses 'ateji', where kanji are used as phonetic symbols to represent the sounds of 'California'. It is a creative way to write a foreign word using characters that have their own independent meanings.
- Because Japanese phonology does not allow most consonants to stand alone, the word カリフォルニア adds extra vowels to the original English pronunciation.
Examples in context
- カリフォルニア州のモーニングタイムは日本の深夜です。When it's morning in California, it's late at night in Japan.This sentence is useful for illustrating the time difference between カリフォルニア州 and Japan.Tatoeba #9993338 by Sim5634, translation #10193239 by DJ_Saidez
- カリフォルニア州はとても大きいです。Kariforunia-shū wa totemo ookii desu.California is very large.
- 来年はカリフォルニア州に行きたいです。Rainen wa Kariforunia-shū ni ikitai desu.I want to go to California next year.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about their dream travel destinations.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんはどこに行きたいですか？Himari-san wa doko ni ikitai desu ka?Where do you want to go, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himari私はカリフォルニア州に行きたいです。Watashi wa Kariforunia-shū ni ikitai desu.I want to go to the state of California.
- 蓮 Renいいですね！何を見たいですか？Ii desu ne! Nani o mitai desu ka?That's nice! What do you want to see?
- 陽葵 Himari綺麗な海を見たいです。Kirei na umi o mitai desu.I want to see the beautiful ocean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “california” translations and entries カリフォルニア州, 加州, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries カリフォルニア州, 加州, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
