独立記念日
dokuritsu kinenbi
In Japanese, independence day is 独立記念日. If unsure, use 独立記念日 (dokuritsu kinenbi). Wiktionary also lists インデペンデンスデイ (independensudei).
Meaning: holiday (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 独立記念日 | dokuritsu kinenbi |
| インデペンデンスデイ | independensudei |
The phrase is used to name the holiday of independence. It can refer to any nation's independence day, though it is often used in the context of an annual celebration.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 独立記念日 is composed of 独立 (independence), 記念 (commemoration or anniversary) and 日 (day).
Which one should you use?
There are two ways to say this. The kanji version 独立記念日 is the standard way to refer to the concept in a formal or descriptive sense. Alternatively, the katakana version インデペンデンスデイ is a phonetic transliteration of the English name, which is often used in the context of American pop culture or movies.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
dokuritsu kinenbi
Did you know?
- While 独立記念日 refers to independence, Japan celebrates its own national foundation day as 建国記念日, which means 'National Foundation Day'.
- Japanese uses the same word 独立 for 'independence' as it does for 'living alone' or 'becoming self-reliant' in a personal context.
- The katakana version インデペンデンスデイ is almost exclusively associated with the 1996 sci-fi movie 'Independence Day' rather than the actual holiday.
Examples in context
- 今日は独立記念日です。Today is Independence Day.This sentence is useful for identifying the current date as 独立記念日.Tatoeba #480283 by bunbuku, translation #480228 by minshirui
- アメリカの独立記念日はいつですか？Amerika no dokuritsu kinenbi wa itsu desu ka?When is America's independence day?
- 来週は独立記念日ですね。Raishū wa dokuritsu kinenbi desu ne.Independence day is next week, isn't it?
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about an upcoming trip to the US.
- 美咲 Misaki七月にアメリカへ行きますか。Shichigatsu ni Amerika e ikimasu ka.Are you going to America in July?
- 蓮 Renはい、独立記念日に合わせて行きます。Hai, dokuritsu kinenbi ni awasete ikimasu.Yes, I'm going to be there for Independence Day.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはいいですね。Sore wa ii desu ne.That sounds great.
- 蓮 Ren花火が見たいです。Hanabi ga mitai desu.I want to see the fireworks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “independence day” translations and entries 独立記念日, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
