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日本

Japan


Meaning

Japan

Word Type

proper noun

Explanation

Remember the secondary meaning of 本 being "origin"? That technically makes this sun origin. Does that sound familiar? Japan is known as the "land of the rising sun", which is why this means Japan!


Reading

にほん, にっぽん

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. The 本 is read just how you learned it, but the 日 reading is sort of an exception here, so here's a mnemonic to help you: You've finally arrived in Japan and immediately fall down on your knees (に). After two excruciatingly long flights, you've finally made it. You're here. This is Japan. Now get up off your knees, people are starting to stare.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 日本の人々

    the people of Japan

    日本の木

    trees in Japan

    日本の山

    mountains in Japan

  • 日本にやってくる

    to be coming to Japan

    日本にいる

    to be in Japan

    日本にある

    to be in Japan

Context Sentences

日本のカレーはおいしいです。

Japanese curry is delicious.

十月に日本にいきます。

I'm going to Japan in October.

日本の人口は、どのくらいですか?

What is the population of Japan?


Kanji Composition