adj
Very common
Japanese
jap-uh-NEEZ
Japanese (adj) means relating to Japan, its people, language, or culture. Example: “She studied Japanese art history at university.”
adj
1
Relating to Japan, its people, language, or culture.
"The Ainu were subject to forced assimilation by the Japanese since at least the 18th century."
"She studied Japanese art history at university."
"A Japanese saw is one that cuts on the pull stroke rather than on the push stroke."
"In the United States, Japanese animation has had a tremendous surge in popularity over the last few years."
name
1
The language spoken mainly in Japan.
"He has been learning Japanese for two years."
How to use Japanese
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything from or connected to Japan, or refers to the Japanese language.
Common pairings
Japanese cuisine
speak Japanese
Japanese culture
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Word forms
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She studied _____ art history at university.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Japanese
See all rhymes for Japanese →Frequently asked questions
What does “Japanese” mean?
The word “Japanese” means relating to Japan, its people, language, or culture. In plain terms, describes anything from or connected to Japan, or refers to the Japanese language.
How do you pronounce “Japanese”?
“Japanese” is pronounced jap-uh-NEEZ (/ˌdʒæp.əˈniːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Japanese” in a sentence?
Here is “Japanese” used in a sentence: “She studied Japanese art history at university.”
What is another word for “Japanese”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Japanese” include Japonian, Japonic, Nipponese and Nipponic.
What part of speech is “Japanese”?
Depending on how it is used, “Japanese” can be an adjective and a name.
Is “Japanese” a common word?
“Japanese” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Japanese” have?
“Japanese” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Japan, its people, language, or culture.
What does "Japanese" mean as an adjective?
As an adjective, "Japanese" describes anything relating to Japan, including its people, language, food, art, or culture. "Japanese cuisine," "Japanese design," and "the Japanese language" all use it this way. The same word also serves as a noun for the country's people and its language.
Is "Japanese" always capitalized?
Yes. Like all adjectives and nouns formed from proper place names, such as English, French, and Chinese, "Japanese" is always capitalized. This holds whether it describes the language, the people, or the culture, and wherever the word appears in a sentence.
What is the difference between "Japanese" and "Japan"?
"Japan" is the noun naming the country itself. "Japanese" is the adjective describing things from or relating to it, and also the noun for its language and people. You visit Japan, but you speak Japanese and eat Japanese food.
What is an example of "Japanese" in a sentence?
"She studies Japanese literature" describes the culture's writing. "They opened a Japanese restaurant" describes the food's origin. "He speaks fluent Japanese" uses the word as a noun for the language. In every case it connects back to Japan.
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