キア
kia
The phrase キア (kia) is the Japanese way to say the name of the South Korean car manufacturer, Kia.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kia.
Did you know?
- If you were to write the name in Kanji, the phonetic similarity to the word for 'spirit' or 'energy', 気 (ki), might lead a reader to jokingly associate the brand with vital force.
- Because キア is written in Katakana, a Japanese reader instantly knows the word is a foreign loanword before they even read the sounds.
- The sound キ (ki) is a homophone for the Japanese words for 'tree' (木) and 'spirit' (気), though these are written with completely different characters.
Examples in context
- 私はKiaの車が好きです。I like Kia cars.
- Kia社の新しいモデルが発売されました。Kia's new model has been released.
- キアの車はデザインが良いですね。Kia no kuruma wa dezain ga ii desu ne.Kia cars have good designs, don't they?
- キアの新しいモデルが欲しいです。Kia no atarashii moderu ga hoshii desu.I want a new Kia model.
- キアの車はとても静かです。Kia no kuruma wa totemo shizuka desu.Kia cars are very quiet.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about car brands at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんは、どの車が好きですか？Yui-san wa, dono kuruma ga suki desu ka?Yui, which cars do you like?
- 結衣 Yui私はキアの車が気になります。Watashi wa Kia no kuruma ga ki ni narimasu.I am interested in Kia cars.
- 陽太 Yotaキアは最近人気がありますね。Kia wa saikin ninki ga arimasu ne.Kia is popular lately, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、陽太さんもそう思いますか？Hai, Yota-san mo sou omoimasu ka?Yes, do you think so too, Yota?
