- 12 Aug 2003
- 88
- 2
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What is the official pronounciation of Japan in Japanese? Is it Nihon or Nippon? Thanks a lot! 
Nippon/Nihon
- Thread starter Hanada Tattsu
- Start date
- 12 Aug 2003
- 88
- 2
- 18
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks a bunch!
So, I'll use Nihon then, as it is indeed the official name and is used by most people in Japan. Thanks!
So, I'll use Nihon then, as it is indeed the official name and is used by most people in Japan. Thanks!
Eelco
先輩
- 8 Nov 2003
- 40
- 1
- 18
supplemental
The words Nihon and Nippon are written the same in kanji, they are combined from the kanji NICHI (sun) and HON (origin), hence the name "Land of the rising sun". You can find a nice explanation here: Japan FAQts.
When combining these kanji the combination of these two kanji results in a contraction: NICHI+HON = NIPPON
as a reference: one pencil is counted as ICHI+HON = IPPON
This has been the official name for a long time, however, as happens in all languages, the word has evolved into NIHON, which is now the official name.
NIPPON is still used, but has an archaic ring to it nowadays.
The words Nihon and Nippon are written the same in kanji, they are combined from the kanji NICHI (sun) and HON (origin), hence the name "Land of the rising sun". You can find a nice explanation here: Japan FAQts.
When combining these kanji the combination of these two kanji results in a contraction: NICHI+HON = NIPPON
as a reference: one pencil is counted as ICHI+HON = IPPON
This has been the official name for a long time, however, as happens in all languages, the word has evolved into NIHON, which is now the official name.
NIPPON is still used, but has an archaic ring to it nowadays.
