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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The garden became known as the Osaka Japanese Garden in 1993, after Chicago entered into a Sister City relationship with Osaka, Japan. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 June 2026 Its bilingual, bicultural model is designed to develop artists and intellectual property that can travel globally while remaining authentically Japanese. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 June 2026 Friday’s bill included Baby Keem and Lorde as co-headliners, supported by Japanese Breakfast, Clipse, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, Dominic Fike, Blood Orange, The Dare, Arcy Drive, and Audrey Hobert, among others. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 Hulu offers four seasons of Naruto, nine seasons of Shippuden, and one season of Boruto, with episodes varying between English dubs and original Japanese with subtitles. — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Japanese

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Japanese was in 1613

Phrases Containing Japanese

Rhymes for Japanese

See All Rhymes for Japanese

Browse Nearby Words

Japan cedar
Japanese
Japanese acid clay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Japanese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanese. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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
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