japonés
/xapoˈnes/
The phrase 'japanese language' in Spanish is japonés.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form japonesa is used when modifying feminine nouns, such as la cultura japonesa (Japanese culture). The feminine plural form japonesas is used to describe feminine plural nouns, such as las tradiciones japonesas (Japanese traditions). The masculine plural form japoneses is used for both the language (in certain contexts) and for Japanese people.
How do you pronounce it?
/xapoˈnes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly capitalize the word in Spanish, but adjectives of nationality like japonés should be lowercase in Spanish.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word japonés is a linguistic traveler that arrived in Spain via Portuguese traders, who had likely borrowed the term from Malay sailors and Hokkien speakers.
- Because Spanish and Japanese both share a similar five-vowel system, Spanish speakers often find the pronunciation of japonés and the Japanese language itself easier to mimic than English speakers do.
- The suffix -és in japonés is a remnant of the Latin -ēnsis, which was used to denote the origin or place of a person.
Examples in context
- Yo soy profesor de japonés.I'm a Japanese language teacher.This sentence is useful for stating your profession, such as being a teacher of japonés.Tatoeba #1004863 by Shishir, translation #1008007 by AOCinJAPAN
- Gracias por enseñarme japonés.Thank you for teaching me Japanese language.This sentence is useful for expressing gratitude for being taught japonés.Tatoeba #2239024 by lazarus1907, translation #1748551 by pllim
- La dificultad del idioma japonés impide que los extranjeros, a excepción de un puñado, tengan un acercamiento a la literatura japonesa en su idioma original.The difficulties of the Japanese language prevent all but a handful of foreigners from approaching the literature in the original.This sentence is useful for discussing the difficulty of the japonés language in relation to literature.Tatoeba #1811765 by marcelostockle, translation #281653 by papabear
- Me gustaría aprender el idioma japonés.I would like to learn the Japanese language.
- ¿Hablas el japonés?Do you speak Japanese?
- Me encanta ver películas en japonés.I love watching movies in Japanese.
- El japonés es un idioma muy interesante.Japanese is a highly interesting language.
- Aunque el japonés es difícil, vale la pena aprenderlo.Even though Japanese is difficult, it's worth learning it.
- Me parece muy atractivo el idioma japonés.I find the Japanese language very attractive.
- Hablo japonésI speak Japanese
- Estoy aprendiendo japonésI am learning Japanese
- Hablo un poco de japonésI speak a little Japanese
- ¿Dónde puedo aprender japonés?Where can I learn Japanese?
- Recomiéndame una escuela de japonés.Recommend me a Japanese school.
- ¿Conoces algún buen profesor de japonés?Do you know any good Japanese teacher?
- ¡Buena suerte con tu estudio del idioma japonés!Good luck with your study of the Japanese language!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing their language learning goals.
- MateoSofía, ¿estudias inglés o japonés?Sofía, are you studying English or Japanese?
- SofíaAhora estoy aprendiendo japonés.Right now I am learning Japanese.
- Mateo¡Qué bien! ¿Es difícil el japonés?That's great! Is Japanese difficult?
- SofíaSí, pero me encanta el japonés.Yes, but I love Japanese.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry japonés, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries japonés, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
