民族性
minzokusei[mʲĩnd͡zo̞kɯ̟se̞ː]
The English word 'ethnicity' is translated into Japanese as 民族性 (minzokusei).
民族性 is used to discuss the inherent traits, abstract qualities or cultural characteristics associated with a specific ethnic group. It is most common in academic, sociological or psychological contexts to describe ethnic characteristics.
Meaning: ethnic group (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 民族性 refers to the abstract quality or character of an ethnicity, 民族 is the general and standard term used to refer to the ethnic group itself. Additionally, エスニシティ is a loanword from English and ルーツ is an informal way to refer to someone's roots or heritage.
How do you pronounce it?
minzokusei
Did you know?
- The term 民族 can be used to describe a 'nation' or 'people', but in modern Japan it is often used specifically to distinguish indigenous groups, such as the アイヌ (Ainu), from the majority population.
- In Japanese media, the loanword エスニシティ (esunishiti) is often used in specific sociological discussions to avoid the heavy political connotations sometimes attached to 民族.
- The suffix 性 (sei) in 民族性 functions identically to the English suffix '-ness' or '-ity', turning a noun into an abstract quality.
Examples in context
- 彼の民族は何ですか？What is his ethnicity?
- 君のルーツは何？What is your ethnicity?
- 彼の血統はどこから来たの？Where is he from ethnically?
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are discussing a sociology book.
- 結衣 Yuiこの本は民族性について書いてあります。Kono hon wa minzokusei ni tsuite kaite arimasu.This book is written about ethnicity.
- 健太 Kenta具体的にどんな内容ですか？Gutaiteki ni donna naiyō desu ka?What specifically is the content?
- 結衣 Yui文化と民族性の関係を分析しています。Bunka to minzokusei no kankei o bunseki shite imasu.It analyzes the relationship between culture and ethnicity.
- 健太 Kentaそれはとても興味深いですね。Sore wa totemo kyōmibukai desu ne.That sounds very interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 民族性, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 民族性, CC BY-SA 4.0.
