Japanese
/ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/noun
Relating to Japan, its people, language, or culture.
Did you know?The English word comes through Portuguese and French from a Chinese rendering of the country’s name, ultimately tied to the idea of the ‘origin of the sun’ — the land where the sun rises.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Middle Chinese
Rìběn
“‘origin of the sun’ or ‘sun source,’ referring to Japan”
16th Century
Portuguese
Japão
“Portuguese form of the name for Japan, borrowed through Asian trade routes”
16th–17th Century
French
Japon
“French form of the country name, passed into European usage”
16th–17th Century
English
Japan
“The island country in East Asia”
17th Century
English
Japanese
“Of or relating to Japan; also a person from Japan or the language”