Hepburn
Hepburn (noun) means a system for writing Japanese words using the Latin alphabet, the one most commonly seen in Western books and signage. Example: “The word "sushi" is the Hepburn romanization of the Japanese characters 寿司.”
How to use Hepburn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA standard way of spelling Japanese words with English letters so non-Japanese speakers can read and pronounce them.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The word "sushi" is the _____ romanization of the Japanese characters 寿司.
Etymology
Named after James Curtis Hepburn, a 19th-century missionary who popularised this way of spelling Japanese sounds with Latin letters.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Hepburn” mean?
The word “Hepburn” means a system for writing Japanese words using the Latin alphabet, the one most commonly seen in Western books and signage. In plain terms, a standard way of spelling Japanese words with English letters so non-Japanese speakers can read and pronounce them.
How do you use “Hepburn” in a sentence?
Here is “Hepburn” used in a sentence: “Most textbooks for English speakers teach Japanese pronunciation using Hepburn romanization.”
What part of speech is “Hepburn”?
“Hepburn” is a noun.
Where does the word “Hepburn” come from?
The word “Hepburn” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Latin. Named after James Curtis Hepburn, a 19th-century missionary who popularised this way of spelling Japanese sounds with Latin letters.
Is “Hepburn” a common word?
“Hepburn” is an uncommon word in modern English.