Inklingo

How to Say "japanese" in Spanish

English → Spanish

japonés

Adjective, NounA1General
Use 'japonés' as an adjective when describing something masculine or when referring to the Japanese language. It is also used as a noun for a Japanese man.

Examples

Me encanta la tecnología japonesa.

I love Japanese technology.

japonesa

/hah-poh-NEH-sah//xa.poˈne.sa/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'japonesa' as an adjective to describe a feminine noun, such as a tradition, object, or concept of Japanese origin.
A high-quality illustration of a traditional red Japanese parasol with white floral patterns.

Examples

Me encanta la comida japonesa.

I love Japanese food.

Ella está estudiando la historia japonesa.

She is studying Japanese history.

Compré una cámara japonesa muy buena.

I bought a very good Japanese camera.

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'.

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'.

japoneses

hah-poh-NEH-sehs/xapoˈneses/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'japoneses' as an adjective when referring to multiple items or people of Japanese origin in the plural form, whether masculine or mixed-gender.
A collection of Japanese cultural items, including two red paper lanterns and several stylized folding fans, resting near pink cherry blossoms.

Examples

Los coches japoneses son muy fiables.

The Japanese cars are very reliable.

Me encantan los jardines japoneses.

I love Japanese gardens.

Matching the Ending

Like most Spanish descriptive words, 'japoneses' must match the thing it describes in number and gender. Since 'coches' (cars) is masculine and plural, the descriptive word must also be 'japoneses'.

Capitalization

Mistake: “Escribí 'Los Japoneses coches'.”

Correction: In Spanish, words describing nationality, like 'japoneses,' are generally NOT capitalized unless they start a sentence. Write 'Los coches japoneses'.

Masculine vs. Feminine Agreement

The most common mistake is forgetting to match the Spanish adjective to the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Remember that 'japonés' is masculine singular, 'japonesa' is feminine singular, and 'japoneses' is masculine or mixed plural.

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