日本(にっぽん)

にっぽん
noun (proper)
Japan
1. Japan
The emphatic or formal pronunciation of Japan. Used in official contexts, sports cheering, and certain compound words.
がんばれ、日本(にっぽん)！
Go, Japan!
[Note: Common cheer at international sports events]
日本銀行(にっぽんぎんこう)は日本(にほん)の中央銀行(ちゅうおうぎんこう)です。
The Bank of Japan is Japan's central bank.
[Note: 日本銀行 officially uses the にっぽん reading]
日本一(にっぽんいち)のラーメンだと言(い)われている。
It's said to be the best ramen in Japan.
[Note: 日本一 (number one in Japan) often uses にっぽん]
オリンピックで日本(にっぽん)代表(だいひょう)が金(きん)メダルを取(と)ったとき、会場(かいじょう)から「日本(にっぽん)！」の声援(せいえん)が響(ひび)いた。
When the Japanese national team won the gold medal at the Olympics, cheers of 'Nippon!' echoed through the venue.
紙幣(しへい)には「日本銀行券(にっぽんぎんこうけん)」と書(か)いてあり、日本(にほん)ではなく日本(にっぽん)と読(よ)む。
Paper money says 'Nippon Ginkō Ken' (Bank of Japan note), read as 'Nippon', not 'Nihon'.

READING: 日本 has two readings:

  • にほん - common, everyday reading
  • にっぽん - emphatic, formal, traditional reading

Both readings are officially correct. There is no legal standard.

USES OF にっぽん:

  • Sports cheering and patriotic contexts
  • Official names: 日本銀行(にっぽんぎんこう) (Bank of Japan), 日本放送協会(にっぽんほうそうきょうかい) (NHK)
  • Currency: 日本円(にっぽんえん) on banknotes
  • Expressions: 日本一(にっぽんいち) (number one in Japan)
  • Stamps and official seals

NOTE: On Japanese currency, にっぽん is used. The passport uses both depending on the edition.

ETYMOLOGY: From 日(ひ)の本(もと) (origin of the sun), referring to Japan's position east of China.

Related Words

Contrast: 日本(にほん) (Japan (common reading))
core
Added 2026.1.13 19:53 · Revised 2026.2.17 10:54
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