日本
Nihon[ɲ̟ihõ̞ɴ]
Nihon is the Japanese name for the country of Japan.
日本 is used to refer to the country of Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two kanji: 日 meaning sun and 本 meaning origin or base.
Which one should you use?
While Nihon is the most common way to say Japan, Nippon is a more formal or emphatic alternative used in specific contexts such as currency or official names.
How do you pronounce it?
Nihon
Did you know?
- The English word 'Japan' likely evolved from a version of 日本 spoken in Hokkien or Teochew, which then passed through Malay as 'Jepun'.
- In the 7th century, the name was used to politely claim equal status with China by describing Japan as the 'place where the sun emerges' and China as the 'place where the sun sinks'.
- Before the modern pronunciation, the name was often read as Hinomoto, using the native Japanese reading of the kanji instead of the Chinese-derived readings.
Examples in context
- ジャパンは日本語で「日本」とも言います。Japan is also called "Nihon" in Japanese.This sentence is useful for seeing how 日本 is used to denote the country name in Japanese.Tatoeba #10610855 by small_snow, translation #1815335 by Amastan
- 芳田氏は山形県に生まれ、日本大学芸術学部油絵科を卒業する。Mr Yoshida was born in Yamagata prefecture, and graduated from Nihon University College of Art with a degree in oil painting.This sentence shows 日本 being used as part of a proper noun, Nihon University.Tatoeba #774511 by marloncori, translation #792792 by hrin
- 日本へ行きたいです。Nihon e ikitai desu.I want to go to Japan.
Example conversation
Yui and Daito are talking about their travel plans.
- 結衣 Yuiいつ日本に行きますか？Itsu Nihon ni ikimasu ka?When are you going to Japan?
- 大翔 Hiroto来月の末に行く予定です。Raigetsu no sue ni iku yotei desu.I plan to go at the end of next month.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね！楽しみですね。Ii desu ne! Tanoshimi desu ne.That's great! You must be excited.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、とても楽しみです。Hai, totemo tanoshimi desu.Yes, I am really looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 日本, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 日本, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
