Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌja-pə-ˈnēz 

-ˈnēs

plural Japanese

1

a

: a native or inhabitant of Japan

b

: a person of Japanese descent

2

: the language of the Japanese

Japanese adjective

Examples of Japanese in a Sentence

the customs of the Japanese

He is learning to speak Japanese.

Recent Examples on the Web

Colloidal oatmeal and glycerin hydrate and soften the skin from head to toe, while Japanese Indigo calms irritation and adds a touch of relaxing, earthy scent. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 30 Nov. 2024

With access to 14 languages—including Spanish, French, German, and Japanese—you’re not confined to just one choice. —New Atlas, 28 Nov. 2024

Going from Japanese to English, most of the menu translations by Lens made sense, but a few outliers were nonsensical and clearly off. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

But the idea of a Japanese take on Oz proves more intriguing than the reality in this 1982 version of the story. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Japanese

• anti-Japanese
• Japanese andromeda
• Japanese beetle
• Japanese cedar
• Japanese eggplant
• Japanese giant hornet
• Japanese iris
• Japanese lacquer
• Japanese maple
• Japanese millet
• Japanese plum
• Japanese pumpkin
• Japanese quail
• Japanese quince
• Japanese spurge
• non-Japanese
• the Japanese

Kids Definition

Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌjap-ə-ˈnēz 

-ˈnēs

plural Japanese

1

a

: a person born or living in Japan

b

: a person of Japanese ancestry

2

: the language of the Japanese

Japanese adjective