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

China will suspend imports of Japanese seafood, media reports in Tokyo said Wednesday as a diplomatic spat between the countries deepens.

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The Japanese government and employers, Stern writes, help make late-life employment a reality through a program called Silver Jinzai, which creates part-time jobs for older Japanese adults.

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She reaches an arm behind the monitor, pulls out a long sleeve, and unzips it to unveil a shiny red sword with golden Japanese characters inscribed onto the blade.

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On December 7, 1941, Japanese kamikaze fighter planes, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

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On July 30, 1945, as she headed home via the Philippine Sea, she was suddenly hit by torpedoes fired by a Japanese submarine.

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