How To Say Japan In Japanese: 5 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• World Languages
• Japanese

How to Say Japan in Japanese Download Article Boost your Japanese vocabulary with this essential word Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Related Articles References Author Info

Last Updated: January 15, 2024

Download Article X

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 88,020 times. Learn more...

You want to say "Japan" (日本 or にほん) in Japanese. Pronounce it as "Nippon" or "Nihon." There is no single "correct" pronunciation, so try to take your cues from those around you. Read on for more information!

Steps

Download Article

1. 1 Know that Japanese uses two "alphabets." Hiragana is used for native words when there is not a relevant kanji and katakana is used to write adapted foreign words. Both systems use characters to represent syllables.Kanji, which originated in China and still bears many similarities to Chinese writing is used in place of hiragana to specify the meaning of a written words as many words share pronunciations, e.g god and paper. Thus, you may often see the word "Japan" written as 日本 (kanji) or にほん (hiragana).[1]
   • In kanji, 日, or "ni," is the character for "sun." 本, or "hon," is the character for "origin." Thus, "Japan" literally means "sun-origin," or "The Land of the Rising Sun."
2. 2 Pronounce either にほん or 日本 as "Nihon." The syllables sound like "knee" and "hon". Say "hon" as in "home"[2]
   • "Nihon" may also sound like "Nippon." Pronounce it "Knee-pon" – "pon" as in "poll", and with a small pause between the syllables. Either pronunciation is accepted in Japan.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Say "Japanese." To say "Japanese" in Japanese, add the syllable "go" (same as English "go") to the end of "Nihon." Pronounce it "Nihongo" or "Nee-hon-go."[3]
4. 4 Understand that the pronunciation is a matter of debate. In past centuries, the Japanese language has been subject to the influence of Chinese monks, European explorers, and various foreign merchants. There is still no full consensus about whether the name is pronounced "Nihon" or "Nippon." "Nippon" is the older pronunciation – but a recent survey showed that 61 percent of native speakers read the word as "Nihon," while only 37 percent read it as "Nippon." When in doubt, take your cues from the people around you.[4]
   • Some claim that traditionally, Japanese used "Nihon" to refer to their nation when communicating between themselves, and "Nippon" when speaking to outsiders. This has not been officially verified, and there is no formally "correct" pronunciation.
5. 5 Listen to someone say it. The best way to learn how to pronounce the word is to hear someone say it. Once you've heard it, practice saying it yourself. Look online for videos or recordings of people saying "日本". If you have any friends or family members who are native Japanese speakers, ask them to pronounce the word for you.[5]
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How do you say Regan in Japanese? Arianna Harrell Community Answer You need to say ¨リーガン¨ for Regan in Japanese. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 9

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

How toLearn Japanese Hiragana Quiz How to Learn Hiragana How toCount to Ten in Japanese How to Tell the Difference Between Chinese and Japanese Cultures How toSay and Write China in Chinese How toSay "Cat" in Japanese How toSpeak Korean How toLearn Indonesian How toSay “Good Morning” in Japanese How toSay Hello in Chinese How toIntroduce Yourself in Japanese How toSay Hello in Japanese How toRead and Write Japanese Fast Advertisement

References

1. ↑ https://eastasiastudent.net/japan/japanese/japan-in-japanese/
2. ↑ https://eastasiastudent.net/japan/japanese/japan-in-japanese/
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLG7xI3_54E
4. ↑ http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/02/11/nippon-or-nihon-no-consensus-on-the-japanese-pronunciation-of-japan/
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOdut8JLGJM

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 88,020 times. 53 votes - 65% Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 15, 2024 Views: 88,020 Categories: Japanese In other languages Italian French

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 88,020 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

About This Article

53 votes - 65% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 15, 2024 Views: 88,020

Quizzes & Games

Hiragana QuizTake QuizJapanese Name ConverterGenerate NamesGuess the Language QuizTake QuizWhat Language Should I Learn QuizTake QuizGuess the Flag QuizTake QuizCountries of the World QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toLearn JapaneseHiragana QuizHow to Learn HiraganaHow toCount to Ten in Japanese

Featured Articles

How toRemove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?

Trending Articles

Which Fictional Character Would Crush On You?What's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizIs My Crush Pretending Not to Like Me QuizHypersexuality TestWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)

Featured Articles

How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out With

Featured Articles

What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Will 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureUnderstanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)

Watch Articles

How toTie a Loop KnotHow toMake Body OilHow toMake Almond MilkHow toWash White Clothes by HandHow toSkin a ChickenHow toClean Tile Floors with Vinegar

Trending Articles

What Are My Soulmate's Initials QuizChoose Your Own Adventure GameYour Red Flag Based On Your Celeb CrushesHow Tall Will I Be QuizIf I Had A Baby, What Would It Look Like?How toLose Weight Fast

Quizzes & Games

Greek Alphabet QuizTake QuizWhich American Dialect Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Studio Ghibli Character Am I QuizTake QuizKingdom Name Generator: Ultimate Kingdom NamesGenerate NamesAccurate IQ Checker Quiz: How Smart Am I?Take QuizAm I Smarter than a 5th Grader QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• World Languages
• Japanese

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --454