Japanese

American  

[jap-uh-neez, -nees] / ˌdʒæp əˈniz, -ˈnis /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Japan, its people, or their language.

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noun

plural

Japanese

1. Often Offensive. a native or inhabitant of Japan or a person of Japanese descent.

2. the language of Japan. Japn., Japn

Japanese British  

/ ˌdʒæpəˈniːz /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Japan, its people, or their language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Japan or a descendant of one

2. the official language of Japan: the native language of approximately 100 million people: considered by some scholars to be part of the Altaic family of languages

Sensitive Note

In the past, the word Japanese has been used as a noun to describe a person or people (the store owner is a Japanese ). This usage is dated and often considered offensive today.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Japanese adjectiveanti-Japanese
• non-Japanese adjectivenon-Japanese
• pro-Japanese adjectivepro-Japanese
• pseudo-Japanese adjectivepseudo-Japanese
• quasi-Japanese adjective

Etymology

Origin of Japanese

First recorded in 1580–90; Japan + -ese

Example Sentences

The Japanese restaurant group Toridoll, which owns the chain's parent company The Fulham Shore, said it planned to appoint administrators.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

The yen was last trading at 156.54 against the U.S. dollar, a 2.7% advance from levels early Thursday, heading into a series of “Golden Week” holidays for the Japanese market.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The Japanese currency weakened to as low as 160.45 against the dollar Thursday, in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates steady.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

A statement from the chain's Japanese owners echoed warnings from hospitality industry bodies in the UK, which have pointed to increasing pressure from rising business rates, energy and labour costs.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

It’s Japanese style, the kind you unroll on the floor.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila