日本
にほん
hepburn nihon
Japan
Part of speech · proper noun
Pattern visualization
Examples
- 日本は美しい国です。Japan is a beautiful country.
- 日本語を勉強しています。I am studying Japanese.
Collocations
日本語日本人日本料理日本に行く日本の文化
Mnemonic
日本 nihon (also nippon) — two readings, both correct. nihon is colloquial; nippon is formal/official. Etymology: 日 (sun) + 本 (origin) = "origin of the sun" — country where the sun rises.
Quick check
Which reading of 日本 is more formal?