Japanese word

ニックネーム

Pronunciation

Romajinikkunēmu

Meaning

  • nounnickname

Example

友達が私にニックネームを付けました。tomo dachi ga watashi ni ni kku nē mu o tsu ke ma shi ta

My friends gave me a nickname.

Illustration for ニックネーム (nickname)

More examples

兄のニックネームを知っています。ani no ni kku nē mu o shi tte i ma su

I know my older brother's nickname.

家族の前では、みんな私をニックネームで呼びます。ka zoku no mae de wa mi n na watashi o ni kku nē mu de yo bi ma su

In front of my family, everyone calls me by my nickname.

Core concept

Refers to a familiar or unofficial name used to identify someone instead of their full name.

Common phrases

  • ニックネームを付けるni kku nē mu o tsu ke ru

    give a nickname

  • ニックネームで呼ぶni kku nē mu de yo bu

    call someone by a nickname

Similar words

愛称aishō: A familiar name used with warmth or affection for a person instead of a formal name.
あだ名adana: A casual name given to someone because of a personal trait, event, or appearance.
呼び名yobina: A name used when addressing or referring to someone in ordinary conversation.
通称tsūshō: A name that is widely used for someone in place of an official name.

Definition in Japanese

本名の代わりに、親しみを込めたり簡略化したりして人を呼ぶための名前。hon myō no ka wa ri ni shita shi mi o ko me ta ri kan ryaku ka shi ta ri shi te hito o yo bu ta me no na mae

Word origin

The Japanese word ニックネーム (nikkunēmu) comes from English nickname, which developed from Middle English ekename, meaning an additional name, through a change in word division.

Usage tips

  • English speakers also use nickname for an informal name in online games or sports, so it does not always refer to a name used by close friends.

Word lists with this word