イギリス
Igirisu[iɡʲiɾʲisɨ]
The English phrase "UK" is translated into Japanese as イギリス (Igirisu).
Meaning: abbreviation of United Kingdom (name)
How do you pronounce it?
Igirisu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may expect a distinction between "Great Britain" and the "United Kingdom," but in common Japanese usage, イギリス is used to refer to both.
Did you know?
- The word イギリス is actually a linguistic fossil from Portuguese. It comes from the word inglês, which means 'English', rather than a direct transcription of the word 'United Kingdom'.
- In certain Japanese historical texts or highly formal academic settings, you might see 英国 (Eikoku). This is a way of saying 'English country' using Chinese-style characters, which functions as a more dignified synonym for イギリス.
- In Japanese, the term イギリス is often used as a shorthand for anything related to 'British style' in fashion or interior design, regardless of whether it originates from the UK.
Examples in context
- イギリスから戻ったところよ。I've just come back from the UK.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have recently returned from イギリス.Tatoeba #11910168 by small_snow, translation #10758420 by sundown
- 私は英国の歴史を勉強しています。I'm studying the history of the United Kingdom.
- 英国の首都はロンドンです。The capital of the United Kingdom is London.
- 私はUKへの旅行を計画しています。I'm planning a trip to the UK.
- UKに行ったことがありますか？Have you ever been to the UK?
- イギリスは文学で有名です。Igirisu is famous for its literature.
- イギリスはとても歴史がある国です。Igirisu wa totemo rekishi ga aru kuni desu.The UK is a country with a lot of history.
- 次の休暇はイギリスに行きたいです。Tsugi no kyūka wa Igirisu ni ikitai desu.I want to go to the UK on my next vacation.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about their future travel plans.
- 蓮 Renいつかイギリスへ行きたいな。Itsuka Igirisu e ikitai na.I want to go to the UK someday.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね！何を見たいですか？Ii desu ne! Nani o mitai desu ka?That sounds great! What do you want to see?
- 蓮 Renロンドンを歩いてみたいです。Rondon o aruite mitai desu.I want to try walking around London.
- 美咲 Misaki私も一緒に行きたいです。Watashi mo issho ni ikitai desu.I want to go with you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry イギリス, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries イギリス, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
