Japanese

[jap-uh-neez, -nees]

adjective

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

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

/ ˌdʒæpəˈniːz /

adjective

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

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 adjective anti-Japanese
• non-Japanese adjective non-Japanese
• pro-Japanese adjective pro-Japanese
• pseudo-Japanese adjective pseudo-Japanese
• quasi-Japanese adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Japanese¹

First recorded in 1580–90; Japan + -ese

Example Sentences

It always came back to us, since we have that relationship with Japanese creators.”

From Los Angeles Times

To ready her body, she ordered in Japanese last night, then had somebody administer an IV vitamin drip as she thumbed through an issue of the New Yorker.

From Los Angeles Times

Voters can choose to get election information in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai or Vietnamese by calling the phone numbers listed here or by using these online options to get help.

From Los Angeles Times

My steak was cooked perfectly and complemented by the numerous sides, which include hen of the woods mushrooms, Japanese sweet potato and hand-cut black truffle fries.

From Salon

Japanese brewing giant Asahi has been hit by a cyber-attack that has caused a "systems failure" affecting the company's shipping and customer service operations.

From BBC