*This series explains the meanings of proper names, including names of places, companies, people, brands and others.
| Name | 日本 (Japan) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Nihon / Nippon にほん / にっぽん |
| Kanji meaning | sun (day) / origin (book) Japan is often called “the land of the rising sun.” “Hon” also means “root.” Books are the root (foundation) of wisdom. Both “Nihon” and “Nippon” are the officially recognized names for the nation. |
| Name | 韓国 (Korea) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Kankoku かんこく |
| Kanji meaning | dried leather / country Dried leather denotes “strength.” When writing the names of foreign nations, Japanese generally use katakana, but kanji is used for Korea. “Nikkan” (日韓 / Japan – Korea). |
| Name | 中国 (China) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Chuugoku ちゅうごく |
| Kanji meaning | center / country “Chugoku” literally means central country. When writing the names of foreign nations, Japanese generally use katakana, but kanji is used for China. “Nicchuu” (日中 / Japan – China). |
| Name | 台湾 (Taiwan) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Taiwan たいわん |
| Kanji meaning | stand / bay “Tai” is also a counter for machines and vehicles. When writing the names of foreign nations Japanese generally use katakana, kanji is used for Taiwan. “Nittai” (日台/ Japan – Taiwan). |
| Name | 米国 (USA) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Beikoku べいこく |
| Kanji meaning | rice / country Japanese used to use the kanji (亜米利加) for America. 米 (me or bei) has been used as a shortened version of the word. The media often write about “Nichibei” (日米 Japan – America). Generally katakana is used to spell out Amerika. |
| Name | 英国 (Britain) |
| Romaji Hiragana |
Eikoku えいこく |
| Kanji meaning | excellent (flower) / country Japanese usually write Igirisu (Britain) in katakana, but it used to be that kanji was used (英吉利). Even now Eikoku (Britain), or ei as “Nichiei” (日英 / Japan – Britain) is often used. Nowadays “Ei” (英) also refers to English (Eigo). |
[From Hiragana Times article]
