What does it mean word for word?
The word nihonjin is composed of nihon (Japan) and the suffix jin (person/nationality).
Which one should you use?
While nihonjin desu is the standard polite form, other versions exist depending on the desired level of formality and dialect. Watashi wa Nihonjin da uses the informal copula da, while Ore wa Nihonjin da is also an informal way to express Japanese identity. In the Kansai dialect, the ending da is replaced by ya.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form nihonjin desu is polite and suitable for most social situations, including speaking to strangers or colleagues. For an even more formal and polite version, you can use Watakushi wa Nihonjin desu, where watakushi is a more polite version of I. Conversely, Watashi wa Nihonjin da is an informal way to say the phrase and Ore wa Nihonjin da is also informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, the word da is replaced by ya at the end of the sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle wa is used to mark the topic of the sentence, such as the subject watashi (I). The word desu is a polite copula used to link the subject with the predicate (is/am/are).
How do you pronounce it?
nihonjin desu
Did you know?
- The word nihon for Japan is written with characters meaning 'sun' and 'origin'. This is why Japan is known in English as the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.
- When using 日本人です, many Japanese people will avoid using the word 'I' entirely to prevent sounding overly self-centered. In a social setting, adding watashi wa can actually make you sound slightly unnatural or boastful.
- The suffix jin used in 日本人 comes from the Chinese pronunciation of the character for 'person'. This same suffix is used for almost all nationalities in Japanese, such as Amerika-jin for 'American'.
Examples in context
- 私は日本人です。I am Japanese.Tatoeba #1174264 by bunbuku, translation #657403 by CN
- はい、日本人です。Hai, Nihonjin desu.Yes, I am Japanese.
Example conversation
Two people are meeting for the first time at a language exchange.
- 大翔 Hirotoどこから来ましたか？Doko kara kimashita ka?Where are you from?
- 陽葵 Himari私は日本人です。Watashi wa nihonjin desu.I am Japanese.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんですね！Sou nan desu ne!I see!
- 陽葵 Himariはい、よろしくお願いします。Hai, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Yes, nice to meet you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
