Nipponese
/ˌnɪp.əˈniːz/noun
A term meaning Japanese, especially in older or more formal usage.
Did you know?“Nippon” comes from the Chinese reading of 日本, meaning “origin of the sun,” the source of the famous “Land of the Rising Sun” idea.
Etymological Timeline
7th Century
Chinese
日本
“Literally “sun origin” or “origin of the sun,” used as a name for Japan.”
Old Japanese
Japanese
Nihon / Nippon
“Native and Sino-Japanese readings of 日本, the country name.”
17th-19th Century
English
Nippon
“A borrowed form used in English for Japan, especially in learned or poetic contexts.”
19th Century
English
Nipponese
“An English adjective and noun meaning Japanese, formed with the English suffix -ese.”
Modern English
English
Nipponese
“A rare, somewhat old-fashioned term for Japanese people, language, or things from Japan.”