Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌja-pə-ˈnēz 

-ˈnēs

plural Japanese

1

a

: a native or inhabitant of Japan

b

: a person of Japanese descent

2

: the language of the Japanese

Japanese adjective

Examples of Japanese in a Sentence

the customs of the Japanese

He is learning to speak Japanese.

Recent Examples on the Web

The petition was originally posted in French, then in Japanese, and was recently translated into English. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025

DeWitt propagated lies that Japanese Americans threatened national security and were signaling Japanese submarines from the West Coast in order to justify the government roundups. —James M. Purcell, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025

More news: Yankees GM Explains Why Dodgers Have Advantage With Japanese Free Agents Rosario signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers, according to multiple reports, and is in the Dodgers' major league camp as a non-roster invitee. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025

Ricker was riding east on U.S. 70 near 4th Street SW in Conover when the driver hit him between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m., near Nagano Japanese Restaurant, Casey said. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Japanese

• anti-Japanese
• Japanese andromeda
• Japanese beetle
• Japanese cedar
• Japanese eggplant
• Japanese giant hornet
• Japanese iris
• Japanese lacquer
• Japanese maple
• Japanese millet
• Japanese plum
• Japanese pumpkin
• Japanese quail
• Japanese quince
• Japanese spurge
• non-Japanese
• the Japanese

Kids Definition

Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌjap-ə-ˈnēz 

-ˈnēs

plural Japanese

1

a

: a person born or living in Japan

b

: a person of Japanese ancestry

2

: the language of the Japanese

Japanese adjective