1.
Japanese person; Japanese people
A person of Japanese nationality or ethnicity. Can refer to individuals or collectively to the Japanese people.
日本人ですか。
Are you Japanese?
日本人の友達がいます。
I have a Japanese friend.
日本人は礼儀正しいと言われている。
Japanese people are said to be polite.
日本人 refers to people of Japanese nationality or descent. Formed from 日本 + 人 (person), following the standard pattern for nationality words.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 日本人観光客: Japanese tourists
- 日本人選手: Japanese athlete
- 日本人として: as a Japanese person
- 日本人離れした: un-Japanese (in appearance or behavior)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 邦人: Japanese national (formal, used in news — 邦人保護 "protection of nationals")
- 日本国籍: Japanese nationality (legal term)
PRONUNCIATION:
The reading にほんじん is standard. にっぽんじん is also used, especially in formal or patriotic contexts.