noun
Uncommon
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.”
noun
1
A system for writing Japanese words using the Latin alphabet, the one most commonly seen in Western books and signage.
"The word "sushi" is the Hepburn romanization of the Japanese characters 寿司."
"Most textbooks for English speakers teach Japanese pronunciation using Hepburn romanization."
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.
Common pairings
Hepburn romanization
Hepburn system
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Hepburn.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
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.
Class of 1800
Hepburn joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
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.
