ιαπωνικά
iaponikáneuter, plural
The English phrase 'japanese' is translated into Greek as ιαπωνικά (iaponiká).
ιαπωνικά is the name of the Japanese language. It can function as a neuter plural noun or as an adverb, such as when describing how someone is speaking.
Meaning: Japanese language (name)
Which one should you use?
ιαπωνικά is used as an adverb or as a neuter plural noun to name the language itself. In contrast, ιαπωνικός is the masculine singular adjective used to describe things or concepts relating to Japan.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the language as a noun, ιαπωνικά is used with the neuter plural article τα, forming τα Ιαπωνικά.
How do you pronounce it?
iaponiká
What mistakes should you avoid?
Unlike in English, the name of the language ιαπωνικά should be written with a lowercase letter unless it begins a sentence.
Did you know?
- If you are talking about 'the Japanese' as a group of people, you would not use ιαπωνικά, but rather the masculine plural adjective Ιάπωνες.
- In Greek, the word ιαπωνικά follows a pattern used for most foreign languages, which are treated as neuter plural nouns.
- The root of ιαπωνικά comes from the Greek word Ιαπωνία, which is the name for the country of Japan.
Examples in context
- Μπορεί να μιλήσει Ιαπωνικά.He can speak Japanese.This sentence shows how to use ιαπωνικά to indicate the ability to speak a language.Tatoeba #5405253 by Zeus, translation #755877 by CK
- Η μητρική μου γλώσσα είναι τα Ιαπωνικά.My mother tongue is Japanese.This sentence demonstrates using ιαπωνικά to identify a mother tongue.Tatoeba #5408419 by Zeus, translation #251866 by Zifre
- Αυτή μετάφρασε το γράμμα από τα ιαπωνικά στα γαλλικά.She translated the letter from Japanese into French.This sentence illustrates translating from ιαπωνικά into another language.Tatoeba #7323993 by amoeba, translation #311293 by CK
- Μιλάς ιαπωνικά;Do you speak Japanese?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are discussing their language classes.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΜαθαίνεις ιαπωνικά φέτος;Mathaineis iaponika fetos?Are you learning Japanese this year?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, τα ιαπωνικά είναι πολύ ενδιαφέροντα.Nai, ta iaponika einai poly endiaperonta.Yes, Japanese is very interesting.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι δύσκολα τα ιαπωνικά;Einai dyskola ta iaponika?Is Japanese difficult?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, αλλά μου αρέσουν πολύ.Nai, alla mou areisoun poly.Yes, but I like it a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “japanese” translations and entries ιαπωνικά, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
