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

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

Etymology

Origin of Japanese

First recorded in 1580–90; Japan + -ese

Example Sentences

Global carmakers are facing a reckoning as US, European and Japanese brands lose ground to Chinese rivals setting the pace not only in electric vehicles, but also in batteries, design and software.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, holding a bilateral meeting with India on Monday before the full Quad, said it was important to address an "increasingly severe" global security situation.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

The Japanese player continued her tradition of jaw-dropping looks at the majors with an outfit that sparkled like "the Eiffel Tower at night" at the French Open.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

The Japanese company is expected to unveil its plans later this week.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

On March 19, the Japanese health ministry reported that it had found radioactive iodine in cows’ milk from farms in Fukushima prefecture.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland