Japanese

noun

Jap·​a·​nese ˌja-pə-ˈnēz How to pronounce Japanese (audio)
-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 Restaurants here are fabulous — Cueva Siete for Mexican cuisine and Mura House for Japanese are two of the most popular. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2024 But after a Japanese attack in Beijing in July 1937, prompting the start of the Sino-Japanese War, Bill and his mother fled to the Philippines. Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 8 June 2024 Less filling, tastes great and a craft beer, Harland’s Japanese Lager is a terrific summer cooler. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024 In May, Aji Japanese Bistro in El Dorado Hills closed. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for Japanese 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Japanese.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Japanese was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near Japanese

Cite this Entry

“Japanese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanese. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Japanese

noun
Jap·​a·​nese ˌjap-ə-ˈnēz How to pronounce Japanese (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!