大和
Yamato[ja̠ma̠to̞]
The English phrase 'yamato' refers to the ancient name for Japan, known in Japanese as 大和 (Yamato). If unsure, use 大和. Wiktionary also lists 倭 (Yamato).
Meaning: ancient name for Japan (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 大和 | Yamato | [ja̠ma̠to̞] (narrow) [o̞ːja̠ma̠to̞] (narrow) |
| 倭 | Yamato | [β̞a̠] (narrow) |
Yamato is an ancient name for Japan. Related terms include やまとひめ, meaning princess of Yamato and やまとのくに, which refers to the land of Yamato.
What does it mean word for word?
The kanji used in the standard form 大和 literally mean 'Great Harmony'.
Which one should you use?
大和 is the standard, modern way to write the name. In contrast, 倭 is an archaic, historical way to write Yamato, often used in ancient texts to refer to the Japanese people or the state.
How do you pronounce it?
Yamato
Did you know?
- The original character for Yamato, 倭, might have been chosen by ancient Chinese writers not just for height, but also to mock the Japanese custom of bowing.
- In the classical poetry collection 万葉集 (Man'yōshū), the word 'Yamato' is used to refer to the nation as a whole, even though it originally only described a specific small region in what is now Nara Prefecture.
Examples in context
- 大和言葉は、日本で昔から使われてきた言葉で、外国語に翻訳し易いものもあれば、し難いものもあります。Yamato-kotoba is the language that has been used in Japan since ancient times, and whilst it has some phrases that can be easily translated into foreign language, there are also those that are difficult.This sentence explains how 大和 is used in the term Yamato-kotoba to describe native Japanese words.Tatoeba #10194840 by small_snow, translation #10919681 by tsp_2
- 大和の歴史を学ぶことは楽しいです。Yamato no rekishi o manabu koto wa tanoshii desu.It is fun to learn about the history of Yamato.
- この博物館には大和時代の資料があります。Kono hakubutsukan ni wa Yamato jidai no shiryou ga arimasu.There are artifacts from the Yamato period in this museum.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing Japanese history in a library.
- 大翔 Hiroto大和って、昔の日本の名前だよね？Yamato tte, mukashi no Nihon no namae da yo ne?Yamato is an ancient name for Japan, right?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、そうだよ。とても歴史がある名前だね。Un, sou da yo. Totemo rekishi ga aru namae da ne.Yes, that's right. It's a name with a lot of history.
- 大翔 Hiroto大和という言葉を聞くと、かっこいいなと思う。Yamato to iu kotoba o kiku to, kakkoii na to omou.I think the word Yamato sounds cool.
- 美咲 Misaki私もそう思うよ。響きが素敵だよね。Watashi mo sou omou yo. Hibiki ga suteki da yo ne.I think so too. The sound is lovely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yamato” translations and entries 大和, 倭, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 倭, 大和, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
