Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌja-pə-ˈnēz How to pronounce Japanese (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The head of Japanese Trade Union Confederation — Rengo — said that annual pay increases this year must exceed the 5.1% secured last year because real wages continue to fall, Reuters reported. Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025 Ikebana – Valentine’s Day Japanese Flower Arrangements: Have fun with Ikebana and make a unique Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement for Valentine’s Day. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025 The law was last invoked in World War II as the legal authority for interning noncitizens of Japanese, German, and Italian descent, according to the Brennan Center. Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 Ena Onishi already knew that—Japanese even has a word for when humans go off to the restroom together: tsureshon. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for Japanese 

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Japanese was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near Japanese

Cite this Entry

“Japanese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanese. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Japanese

noun
Jap·​a·​nese ˌjap-ə-ˈnēz How to pronounce Japanese (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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