Japanese word

帰化

Pronunciation

Romajikika

Meaning

  • nounnaturalization

Example

私は帰化を申請しました。watashi wa ki ka o shin sei shi ma shi ta

I applied for naturalization.

Illustration for 帰化 (naturalization)

More examples

帰化の条件は国によって異なります。ki ka no jō ken wa kuni ni yo tte koto na ri ma su

The requirements for naturalization vary by country.

Core concept

Describes a person changing legal belonging from one country to another and becoming a full citizen there.

Common phrases

  • 帰化を申請するki ka o shin sei su ru

    apply for naturalization

  • 帰化が認められるki ka ga mito me ra re ru

    be granted naturalization

  • 帰化の条件ki ka no jō ken

    conditions for naturalization

Similar words

国籍取得kokusekishutoku: The acquisition of citizenship or nationality under the laws of a country.

Definition in Japanese

外国人が、他国の国籍を取得してその国の国民になること。gai koku jin ga ta koku no koku seki o shu toku shi te so no kuni no koku min ni na ru ko to

Word origin

The Chinese-derived compound 帰化 (kika, "naturalization") joins 帰 (ki, "return") with 化 (ka, "change"), describing a shift into another country's legal and cultural community.

Usage tips

  • English distinguishes naturalization from immigration: immigration means entering a country to live, while naturalization means becoming its citizen through a legal process.

Related words

  • 帰化するkikasurubecome a naturalized citizenverb

Word lists with this word