ギリシャ
Girisha[ɡʲiɾʲiɕa̠]
Greece in Japanese is ギリシャ (Girisha). Wiktionary also lists ギリシア (Girishia) and 希臘 (Girisha).
Meaning: country in Southeastern Europe (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ギリシャ | Girisha | [ɡʲiɾʲiɕa̠] (narrow) | |
| ギリシア | Girishia | [ɡʲiɾʲiɕia̠] (narrow) | |
| 希臘 | Girisha | [ɡʲiɾʲiɕa̠] (narrow) [ɡʲiɾʲiɕia̠] (narrow) |
obsolete |
The term refers to the country in Southeastern Europe.
Which one should you use?
ギリシャ is the most common modern way to write Greece in Japanese, whereas ギリシア is a slightly more formal or academic variation often used in specific contexts like geography or history. The form 希臘 is obsolete.
How do you pronounce it?
Girisha
Did you know?
- The modern Japanese word ギリシャ does not come from English or Latin, but was borrowed from the Portuguese word 'Grécia'.
- The Portuguese influence on the word ギリシャ dates back to the 16th century, when Portuguese explorers and missionaries were the first Europeans to reach Japan.
- In Japanese academic texts, you will often see ギリシア used specifically when discussing ancient philosophy or history rather than the modern state.
Examples in context
- イタリアはギリシャではない。Italy isn't Greece.Tatoeba #2152441 by bunbuku, translation #2113411 by CM
- 民主主義は古代ギリシャに始まった。Democracy originated in Ancient Greece.Tatoeba #81023 by wat, translation #322692 by CK
- ギリシャは西洋文明の揺籃の地であった。Greece was the cradle of western civilization.Tatoeba #2322657 by tommy_san, translation #2265987 by _undertoad
- ギリシャに行きたいです。I want to go to Greece.
- ギリシャの文化に興味があります。I am interested in Greek culture.
- ギリシャでバカンスを過ごしたい。I want to spend a vacation in Greece.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about their dream travel destinations.
- 健太 Kentaいつかギリシャに行ってみたいんだ。Itsuka Girisha ni itte mitai nda.I want to visit Greece someday.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね、海がとても綺麗そう！Ii desu ne, umi ga totemo kirei sou!That sounds nice, the sea looks beautiful!
- 健太 Kenta歴史的な建物も見たいと思っているよ。Rekishiteki na tatemono mo mitai to omotte iru yo.I also want to see the historical buildings.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんならきっと楽しめますよ。Kenta-san nara kitto tanoshimemasu yo.I'm sure you will enjoy it, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greece” translations and entries ギリシャ, ギリシア, 希臘, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ギリシャ, 希臘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
