Korean word

일본인

Pronunciation

Romanizationilbonin

Meaning

  • nounJapanese person

Example

제 친구는 일본인이에요.che chin gu neun il bo ni ni e yo

My friend is Japanese.

Illustration for 일본인 (Japanese person)

More examples

우리 반에 일본인 친구가 있어요.u ri pa ne il bo nin chin gu ga i sseo yo

There is a Japanese friend in our class.

Core concept

A person connected to Japan by birthplace or citizenship.

Common phrases

  • 일본인 친구il bo nin chin gu

    Japanese friend

  • 일본인 관광객il bo nin kwan gwang gaek

    Japanese tourist

  • 일본인 선생님il bo nin seon saeng nim

    Japanese teacher

Similar words

일본 사람ilbon saram: A person from Japan or of Japanese nationality, commonly described in everyday conversation.

Definition in Korean

일본에서 태어났거나 일본 국적을 가진 사람.il bo ne seo tae eo nat kkeo na il bon kuk jjeo geul ka jin sa ram

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean formation joins the element for Japan with the element for person, which directly gives its meaning.

Usage tips

  • In English, Japanese can describe a person, language, or thing, but this Korean noun refers specifically to a person, so context matters when translating it.

Other meanings

  • person from Japannoun
  • Japanese nationalnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 일본어ilboneoJapanese languagenoun
  • 일본문화ilbonmunhwaJapanese culturenoun
  • 일본산ilbonsanJapanese productnoun

Word lists with this word