Inklingo
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japonesa

/hah-poh-NEH-sah/

Japanese

A high-quality illustration of a traditional red Japanese parasol with white floral patterns.

The word 'japonesa' can describe objects like this traditional Japanese parasol.

japonesa(adjective)

fA1

Japanese

?

describing a feminine object, idea, or tradition

Also:

Japanese-style

?

referring to things made in or characteristic of Japan

📝 In Action

Me encanta la comida japonesa.

A1

I love Japanese food.

Ella está estudiando la historia japonesa.

A2

She is studying Japanese history.

Compré una cámara japonesa muy buena.

A1

I bought a very good Japanese camera.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • nipona (Nipponese/Japanese)

Common Collocations

  • comida japonesa – Japanese food
  • cultura japonesa – Japanese culture

💡 Grammar Points

Matching Feminine Words

Use this word when you are describing a person or thing that is 'feminine' in Spanish (usually words ending in -a, -ción, or -dad), like 'comida' or 'ciudad'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong ending

Mistake: "La música japonés."

Correction: La música japonesa. Since 'música' is a feminine word, the describing word must also end in 'a'.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to use it

Even if the thing you are talking about isn't alive, if the word itself is feminine, you must use 'japonesa'.

A high-quality illustration of a woman wearing a beautiful traditional silk kimono.

A 'japonesa' refers to a woman from Japan.

japonesa(noun)

fA1

Japanese woman

?

a female person from Japan

Also:

Japanese girl

?

a young female from Japan

📝 In Action

Mi nueva vecina es japonesa.

A1

My new neighbor is a Japanese woman.

Esa japonesa habla cinco idiomas.

B1

That Japanese woman speaks five languages.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • nipona (Japanese woman (formal))

Common Collocations

  • una joven japonesa – a young Japanese woman

💡 Grammar Points

Identifying People

This noun is specifically for one female person. If you are talking about a man, you would use a different word ending.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using it for men

Mistake: "Él es japonesa."

Correction: Él es japonés. 'Japonesa' is strictly for women or girls.

⭐ Usage Tips

Nationality Capitals

In Spanish, words for nationalities (like japonesa) are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: japonesa

Question 1 of 1

Which of these is the correct way to say 'Japanese guitar' (la guitarra)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

Japón(Japan) - noun
japonés(Japanese (male)) - noun/adjective
japonesas(Japanese (plural female)) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'japonesa' capitalized?

No. Unlike in English, nationalities and languages in Spanish are written in lowercase (e.g., 'la cultura japonesa').

Can 'japonesa' refer to a group of people?

Only if they are all female and pluralized as 'japonesas'. If the group is mixed-gender, you use 'japoneses'.