1.
place name, geographical name
The name of a geographical location such as a city, town, region, mountain, or river.
この地名の由来を知っていますか。
Do you know the origin of this place name?
日本には読みにくい地名が多い。
There are many place names in Japan that are difficult to read.
地名辞典で調べた。
I looked it up in a place name dictionary.
INTERESTING FACTS:
- Many Japanese place names use unusual kanji readings (難読地名)
- Examples of difficult readings: 五十嵐, 御徒町, 酒々井
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 地名の由来 (origin of a place name)
- 地名辞典 (place name dictionary)
- 難読地名 (place names that are hard to read)
- 珍地名 (unusual place names)
CULTURAL NOTE: Japanese place names often have historical, topographical, or religious origins. Many come from Ainu language in Hokkaido, or reflect local features (rivers, mountains, temples).