ロサンゼルス
Rosanzerusu[ɾo̞sã̠nd͡ze̞ɾɯ̟sɨ]
Los Angeles in Japanese is ロサンゼルス (Rosanzerusu). Wiktionary also lists ロサンジェルス (Rosanjerusu) and ロス (Rosu).
Meaning: largest city in California (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ロサンゼルス | Rosanzerusu | [ɾo̞sã̠nd͡ze̞ɾɯ̟sɨ] (narrow) | |
| ロサンジェルス | Rosanjerusu | ||
| ロス | Rosu | abbreviation | |
| 羅府 | Rafu | obsolete |
The name refers to the largest city in California. You may also encounter the abbreviation ロス, which functions similarly to saying 'L.A.' in English, especially in casual conversation or media.
Which one should you use?
ロサンゼルス is the most common and standard way to write Los Angeles in Japanese katakana. ロサンジェルス is an alternative spelling. ロス is an abbreviation of the name. 羅府 is a dated kanji transcription of Los Angeles that is no longer used in modern daily Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
Rosanzerusu
Did you know?
- The abbreviation ロス is a homonym for the Japanese word for 'loss'. This can create puns in Japanese media, often linking the city to feelings of loneliness or longing.
- While we think of the name as Spanish, the Japanese transcription ロサンゼルス is actually a phonetic borrowing of the English pronunciation, rather than the Spanish 'Los Angeles'.
- Because Japanese uses a syllabary, the name is stretched into five or even six syllables in ロサンゼルス, making it much longer than the English original.
Examples in context
- ロスには行かないよ。I won't go to Los Angeles.This sentence shows the use of the abbreviation ロス.Tatoeba #10177572 by small_snow, translation #9189137 by DJ_Saidez
- ロスアンゼルスには親戚がいる。I have family in Los Angeles.Tatoeba #1504793 by verbum, translation #1061394 by CN
- ロサンゼルス到着時刻は何時ですか。What's the arrival time in Los Angeles?This sentence shows the use of the standard form ロサンゼルス.Tatoeba #192207 by KK_kaku_, translation #29370 by CN
- ロサンゼルスに行ったことがありますか？Have you been to Los Angeles?
- ロサンゼルスへのフライトはいかがでしたか？How was the flight to Los Angeles?
- LAって本当に行きたい！I really want to go to LA!
- ロスに友達が住んでいて、いつか会いに行こうって話してるんだ。I have a friend living in Los Angeles, and we're planning to meet up someday.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are talking about their vacation plans.
- 陽葵 Himari今度の休みはロサンゼルスに行きます。Kondo no yasumi wa rosanzerusu ni ikimasu.I am going to Los Angeles this next holiday.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね！誰と行くんですか。Ii desu ne! Dare to ikun desu ka.That's great! Who are you going with?
- 陽葵 Himari友達とロサンゼルスを観光する予定です。Tomodachi to rosanzerusu o kankou suru yotei desu.I plan to sightsee in Los Angeles with a friend.
- 健太 Kenta楽しそうですね。気をつけて行ってください。Tanoshisou desu ne. Ki o tsukete itte kudasai.That sounds like fun. Please have a safe trip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “los angeles” translations and entries ロサンゼルス, ロス, 羅府, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ロサンゼルス, ロス, 羅府, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
