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Japanese exonyms

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Japanese exonyms are the names of places in the Japanese language that differ from the name given in the place's dominant language.

While Japanese names of places that are not derived from the Chinese language generally tend to represent the endonym or the English exonym as phonetically accurately as possible, the Japanese terms for some place names are obscured, either because the name was borrowed from another language or because of some other obscure etymology, such as referring to England (more specifically the United Kingdom) as イギリス (Igirisu), which is based on the Portuguese term for "English", Inglês.[1] Exonyms for cities outside of the East Asian cultural sphere tend to be more phonetically accurate to their endonyms than the English exonyms if the endonym is significantly different from the English exonym.

The names for nations and cities that existed before major Japanese orthographic reforms in the Meiji era usually have ateji, or kanji characters used solely to represent pronunciation. However, the use of ateji today has become far less common, as katakana has largely taken over the role of phonetically representing words of non-Sino-Japanese origin. As significant differences exist between the pronunciations of the Chinese and Japanese languages, many of the ateji terms for the exonyms of foreign, non-Sinitic terms are unrecognizable in Chinese, and likewise, since some of the ateji terms derived from Chinese, the aforementioned terms do not match the Japanese on or kun readings for the pronunciation of the given kanji.

Legend
† Archaic, obsolete
‡ Rare
– Does not exist
(Red XN) Does not exist, but kept on list for linguistic interest, or to prevent common errors.

Afghanistan

[edit]
 Afghanistan (Afuganisutan (アフガニスタン))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Kabul Kabūru (カブール) Kābol (کابل‎) Dari
Kābəl (کابل‎) Pashto

Algeria

[edit]
 Algeria (Arujeria (アルジェリア))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Algiers Aruje (アルジェ) Dzayer (ⴷⵣⴰⵢⴻ) Kabyle
Al-jazāʾir (الجزائر‎) Arabic
Constantine Konsutantīnu (コンスタンティーヌ) Kasantina (ⵇⵙⴻⵏⵟⵉⵏⴰ) Kabyle
Qusanṭīna (قُسَنْطِينَة) Arabic
Oran Oran (オラン) Wehran (ⵡⴻⵂⵔⴰⵏ) Kabyle
Wahrān (وَهْرَان) Arabic

Argentina

[edit]
 Argentina (Aruzenchin (アルゼンチン, 亜爾然丁))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Buenos Aires Buenosu Airesu (ブエノスアイレス)

Bushi (ブ市)

Buenos Aires Spanish Also Bushi (ブ市).

Australia

[edit]
 Australia (Ōsutoraria (オーストラリア), Gōshū (豪州))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Coral Sea Kōraru Shī (コーラル・シー)
Sangokai (珊瑚海) 		Coral Sea English Translation from English
Thursday Island Sāzudē Airando (サーズデー・アイランド)
Mokuyōtō (木曜島) 		Thursday Island English Translation from English

Austria

[edit]
 Austria (Ōsutoria (オーストリア, 墺太利))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Vienna Wīn (ウィーン) Wien German Based on German spelling

Brazil

[edit]
 Brazil (Burajiru (ブラジル, 伯剌西爾))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Brasília Burajiria (ブラジリア) Brasília Portuguese
Curitiba Kurichiba (クリチバ) Curitiba Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro Riodejaneiro (リオデジャネイロ) Rio de Janeiro Portuguese
São Paulo Sanpauro (サンパウロ) São Paulo Portuguese

Cambodia

[edit]
 Cambodia (Kambojia (カンボジア, 柬埔寨))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Phnom Penh Punonpen (プノンペン) Phnom Penh (ភ្នំពេញ) Khmer
Siem Reap Shemuriappu (シェムリアップ) Siĕm-réap (សៀមរាប) Khmer
Sihanoukville Shianūkubiru (シアヌークビル) Krong Preah Sihanouk (ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ) Khmer Based on English

Chile

[edit]
 Chile (Chiri (チリ, 智利†)), (Chirii (チリー)),† (Chika (智加))†
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Santiago Metropolitan Region Shūto-shū (首都州) Región Metropolitana de Santiago Spanish

China

[edit]
 China (Chūgoku (中国))
English name Japanese name(s) Endonym Notes
Not On'yomi On'yomi Name Language
Beijing Pekin (北京)[2][3]

Hokkin[4]†[5]

(Red XNHokkyō)[3] pinyin: Běijīng Mandarin Pekin same as Japanese pronunciation of historical English exonym[2]
Chengdu Chendu (成都) Seito Chéngdū Mandarin Transcription based on Mandarin pronunciation
Changchun Chanchun (長春) Chōshun Chángchūn (长春) Mandarin
Chongqing Chonchin (重慶) Jūkei Chóngqìng (重庆) Mandarin
Mount Everest Eberesuto (エベレスト)
Everesuto (エヴェレスト) 		Everest English Transcriptions based on English
Chomoranma (チョモランマ) Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng (珠穆朗瑪峰) Chinese Transcriptions based on Tibetan
Chomolungma (ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ) Tibetan
Sagarumāta (サガルマータ) Sagaramāthā (सगरमाथा) Nepali Transcriptions based on Nepali
Dalian Dāryen (大連) Dairen Dàlián (大连) Mandarin
Guangdong Kanton (広東) (Red XNKōtō) Guǎngdōng (广东) Mandarin Transcription based on historical English exonym
Gwong2dung1 Cantonese
Guangzhou Kowanchou (広州) Kōshū Guǎngzhōu (广州) Mandarin
Gwong2zau1 Cantonese
Guilin Guirin (桂林) Keirin Guìlín Mandarin
Gveilinz Zhuang
Han River (Hubei) Kankō (漢江) Hàn Jiāng (汉江) Mandarin
Kansui (漢水) Hàn Shǔi (汉水) Mandarin
Harbin Harubin (ハルビン)[6]
Harupin (ハルピン)[6]
(哈爾浜,[6] 哈爾賓[6]} 		Hā'ěrbīn (哈尔滨) Mandarin
Kharbin (Харбин)[6] Russian
Halbin (ᡥᠠᠯᠪᡳᠨ) Manchu
Hohhot Fufuhoto (フフホト) Hūhéhàotè (呼和浩特) Mandarin
Kökekhota (ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ) Mongolian
Hong Kong Honkon (香港)[7] (Red XNKōkō)[8][9] Hoeng1gong2 Cantonese Honkon based on English exonym
Macau Makao (マカオ) Ōmon (澳門) Ou3mun2 Cantonese Makao based on Portuguese exonym
Nanjing Nankin (南京)[2] (Red XNNankyō) Nánjīng Mandarin Nankin same as Japanese pronunciation of historical English exonym[2]
Ningxia Ninshā (寧夏) Neika Níngxià (宁夏) Mandarin
Qingdao Chintao (青島) (Red XNSeitō) Qīngdǎo (青岛) Mandarin Not to be confused with Aoshima, two different islands in Japan spelled with the same kanji
Shaanxi (Red XNShānshī) Sensei (陝西) Shǎnxī (陕西) Mandarin As the transcriptions for Shanxi and Shaanxi are indistinguishable in Japanese (since the only way to distinguish the two in Mandarin is the tone of the first syllable), it is more common to use the on-yomi as they are distinguishable from each other
Shanghai Shanhai (上海)[3] Jōkai[2]†[5][3] Shànghǎi Mandarin
Zaan22 he44 Wu
Shanxi (Red XNShanshī) Sansei (山西) Shānxī Mandarin As the transcriptions for Shanxi and Shaanxi are indistinguishable in Japanese (since the only way to distinguish the two in Mandarin is the tone of the first syllable), it is more common to use the on-yomi as they are distinguishable from each other
Shenzhen Shenchen (シェンチェン)‡ Shinsen (深圳, 深セン) Shēnzhèn Mandarin
Tai Po District (Hong Kong) Taipō (大埔) Taiho Daai6bou3 Cantonese Based on Cantonese pronunciation
Tianjin Tenchin (天津) Tenshin Tiānjīn Mandarin Not to be confused with native Japanese word amatsu, written using the same kanji.[10]
Tap Mun (Hong Kong) Tapumunchau (塔門洲) Tōmonshū Taap mùhn Jāu Cantonese Transcription based on Cantonese pronunciation
Tibet Chibetto (チベット) Seizō (西蔵) Xīzàng (西藏) Mandarin Transcription based on English exonym Tibet
Bod (བོད) Tibetan
Ürümqi Urumuchi (烏魯木斉) (Red XN) Wūlǔmùqí (乌鲁木齐) Mandarin Transcription based on Mandarin or Uyghur pronunciation
Ürümçi (ئۈرۈمچى) Uyghur
Xiamen Amoi (アモイ, 厦門, 廈門) Ē-mûi Hokkien Based on historical English exonym Amoy
Shāmen Xiàmén (厦门) Mandarin Based on Mandarin pronunciation
Xi'an Shīan (西安) Seian Xī'ān Mandarin
Xinjiang Shinchan (新疆) Shinkyō Xīnjiāng Mandarin
Yangtze Chan-gawa (チャン川)‡ Chōkō (長江)[11] Cháng Jiāng (长江) Mandarin
Yōsukō (揚子江)[12] (Red XNYōshikō) Yángzǐ Jiāng (扬子江) Mandarin

For place names derived from the Chinese language, Japanese typically uses the kanji equivalents of the Chinese characters that make up their respective endonyms, albeit with a Sino-Japanese pronunciation called on readings. Some place names, however, also have an approximate pronunciation (or transcription) of a historical English exonym if the area is internationally well-known, such as Beijing and Hong Kong, and such transcriptions tend to be more common than the on-yomi or the Mandarin transcriptions. Most place names derived from Mandarin also have a Japanese transcription of the Mandarin pronunciation.

One detail to be noted, however, is that for the names of certain districts or areas in Hong Kong and Macau, the pronunciations of the Japanese transcriptions typically try to imitate the Cantonese pronunciation instead of the Mandarin pronunciation.

The Chinese characters for the endonyms above are simplified Chinese characters and will only appear in the table above if they differ from the kanji shinjitai (the current set of Japanese kanji). Most transcriptions above can be written either in kanji or katakana.

Czech Republic

[edit]
 Czech Republic (Cheko (チェコ))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Pilsen Puruzeni (プルゼニ) Plzeň Czech
Prague Puraha (プラハ)
Purāgu (プラーグ)
Puraggu (プラッグ) 		Praha Czech

Denmark

[edit]
 Denmark (Denmāku (デンマーク, 丁抹))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Billund Birun (ビルン) Billund Danish
Copenhagen Kopenhāgen (コペンハーゲン) København Danish Transcription based on English Copenhagen[13]
Kubunhaun (クブンハウン)

Egypt

[edit]
 Egypt (Ejiputo (エジプト, 埃及))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Alexandria Arekusandoria (アレクサンドリア) al-ʾIskandariyya (الإسكندرية‎) Standard Arabic
Eskendereyya (اسكندرية‎) Egyptian Arabic
Cairo Kairo (カイロ) al-Qāhirah (القاهرة) Standard Arabic
Maṣr (مَصر) Egyptian Arabic
Nile Nairu-gawa (ナイル川) an-Nil (النيل) Standard Arabic
en-Nīl (النيل) Egyptian Arabic

Germany

[edit]
 Germany (Doitsu (ドイツ, 独逸))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Berlin Berurin (ベルリン) Berlin German
Cologne Kerun (ケルン) Köln German
Dresden Doresuden (ドレスデン) Dresden German
Frankfurt Furankufuruto (フランクフルト) Frankfurt am Main German
Hamburg Hanburuku (ハンブルク) Hamburg German
Hanover Hanōbā (ハノーバー)

Hanōfā (ハノーファー)

Hannover German
Munich Myunhen (ミュンヘン) München German

Greece

[edit]
 Greece (Girisha (ギリシャ, 希臘))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Athens Atene (アテネ)

Atēnai (アテーナイ)

Athína (Αθήνα) Greek
Corinth Korinto (コリント)
Korintosu (コリントス) 		Kórinthos (Κόρινθος) Greek
Crete Kureta (クレタ) Kríti (Κρήτη) Greek
Marathon Marason (マラソン)

Maraton (マラトン)

Marathónios (Μαραθώνιος) Greek Based on English exonym
Olympia Orinpia (オリンピア) Olympía (Ολυμπία) Greek
Filippoi Firippi (フィリッピ) Fílippi (Φίλιπποι) Greek
Santorini Santorīni (サントリーニ) Thíra (Θήρα) Greek
Sparta Suparuta (スパルタ) Spárti (Σπάρτη) Greek Based on English
Thebes Tēbe (テーベ)

Tēbai (テーバイ)

Thíva (Θήβα) Greek
Thessalonica Tessaroniki (テッサロニキ) Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) Greek

Iceland

[edit]
 Iceland (Aisurando (アイスランド, 愛斯蘭, 氷州), Hyōtō (氷島))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Reykjavik Reikyabiku (レイキャビク)
Reikyavīku (レイキャウィーク) 		Reykjavík Icelandic

India

[edit]
 India (Indo (インド, 印度))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bangalore Bangarōru (バンガロール) Baṅgalūru (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) Kannada
Chennai Chennai (チェンナイ) Ceṉṉai (சென்னை) Tamil
Ganges Ganjisu (ガンジス) Gaṅgā (गंगा) Hindi Based on English exonym
Hyderabad Haiderabādo (ハイデラバード) Haidarābādu (హైదరాబాదు) Telugu
Kolkata Korukata (コルカタ) Kôlkata (কলকাতা) Bengali
Mumbai Munbai (ムンバイ) Mumbaī (मुंबई) Marathi
New Delhi Nyūderī (ニューデリー) Naī Dillī (नई दिल्ली) Hindi Based on English exonym

Since India is home to many different languages and English is an official language in the country, Japanese exonyms are largely based on the English exonyms. The English exonyms are also familiar to many Indians.

Indonesia

[edit]
 Indonesia (Indoneshia (インドネシア, 印度尼西亜))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Borneo Karimantan-tou (カリマンタン島)
Boruneo-tou (ボルネオ島) 		Kalimantan Indonesian

Ireland

[edit]
 Ireland (Airurando (アイルランド, 愛蘭))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Dublin Daburin (ダブリン) Baile Átha Cliath Irish
Dublin English

Israel

[edit]
 Israel Isuraeru (イスラエル, 以色列)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Dead Sea Shikai (死海)[14] Yam ha-Melah (ים המלח) Hebrew Translation of "Dead Sea"
Jerusalem Erusaremu (エルサレム) Yerushaláyim (ירושלים) Hebrew
Nazareth Nazare (ナザレ) Natsrat (נצרת) Hebrew

Italy

[edit]
 Italy (Itaria (イタリア, 伊太利亜, 伊太利))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Florence Firentse (フィレンツェ)
Furōrensu (フローレンス) 		Firenze Italian Furōrensu based on English exonym
Venice Venetsia (ヴェネツィア)
Benetsia (ベネツィア)
Benechia (ベネチア)
Benisu (ベニス)
Venisu (ヴェニス) 		Venezia Italian Benisu/Venisu from English work of Shakespeare

Japanese exonyms for Italian place names are generally based on the Italian pronunciation rather than English exonyms.

Kazakhstan

[edit]
 Kazakhstan (Kazafusutan (カザフスタン))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Almaty Arumatoi (アルマトイ) Almatı (Алматы) Kazakh
Astana Asutana (アスタナ) Astana (Астана) Kazakh

Laos

[edit]
 Laos (Raosu (ラオス, 羅宇, 老檛))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Luang Prabang Ruanpabān (ルアンパバーン) Luangphabang (ຫລວງພະບາງ, ຫຼວງພະບາງ) Lao Exonym based on actual Lao pronunciation rather than spelling
Vientiane Bienchan (ビエンチャン) Viangchan (ວຽງຈັນ) Lao Exonym based on English pronunciation

Liechtenstein

[edit]
 Liechtenstein (Rihitenshutain (リヒテンシュタイン))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Vaduz Fadūtsu (ファドゥーツ) Vaduz German

Malaysia

[edit]
 Malaysia Marēshia (マレーシア, 馬来西亜)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Borneo Boruneo (ボルネオ) Borneo Malay
Johor Bahru Johōrubaru (ジョホールバル) Johor Bahru Malay
Kuala Lumpur Kuararunpūru (クアラルンプール) Kuala Lumpur Malay
Penang Penan (ペナン)
Tōjō-tō (東条島) (Former) 		Pulau Pinang Malay
Putrajaya Putorajaya (プトラジャヤ) Putrajaya Malay

Mexico

[edit]
 Mexico (Mekishiko (メキシコ, 墨西哥))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ciudad Juárez Shiudā Fuaresu (シウダー・フアレス)) Ciudad Juárez Spanish
Cancún Kankun (カンクン) Cancún Spanish
Mexico City Mekishikoshiti (メキシコシティ) Ciudad de México Spanish Based on the English exonym
Monterrey Monterei (モンテレイ) Monterrey Spanish
Oaxaca Oahaka (オアハカ) Oaxaca Spanish
Puebla Puebura (プエブラ) Puebla Spanish
Puerto Vallarta Puerutobajaruta (プエルトバジャルタ) Puerto Vallarta Spanish
Tijuana Tifuana (ティフアナ)
Tiwana (ティワナ) 		Tijuana Spanish Tiwana from English pronunciation
Veracruz Berakurusu (ベラクルス) Veracruz Spanish

Myanmar

[edit]
 Myanmar (Myanmā (ミャンマー), (Biruma, †Menden (†緬甸))[15])
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bagan Bagan (バガン) Pu.gam (ပုဂံ) Burmese
Naypyidaw Nepidō (ネピドー) Ne-pranytau (နေပြည်တော်) Burmese
Yangon Yangon (ヤンゴン) Rankun (ရန်ကုန်) Burmese

Netherlands

[edit]
 Netherlands (Oranda (オランダ, 阿蘭陀, 和蘭))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Amsterdam Amusuterudamu (アムステルダム) Amsterdam Dutch
The Hague Den Hāgu (デン・ハーグ)
Hāgu (ハーグ) 		Den Haag Dutch
Rotterdam Rotterudamu (ロッテルダム) Rotterdam Dutch

New Zealand

[edit]
 New Zealand (Nyūjīrando (ニュージーランド))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
North Island Hokutō (北島) North Island English Translation from English
South Island Nantō (南島) South Island English Translation from English

North Korea

[edit]
 North Korea (Kita-Chōsen (北朝鮮))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Not on-yomi On-yomi Name Language
Kaesong Keson (開城) Kaijō‡ Kaesŏng (개성) Korean
Paektu Mountain Pekuto-san (白頭山)[16] Hakutōsan (白頭山)[16]
Chōhakusan (長白山)[16] 		Paekdusan (백두산) Korean On'yomi transcriptions based on Korean and Mandarin Chinese Changbai respectively.
Pyongyang Pyon'yan (平壌) Heijō‡ P'yŏngyang (평양) Korean
Sinuiju Shiniju (新義州) Shingishū‡ Sinŭiju (신의주) Korean
Tumen River Tomankan (豆満江) Tōmankō Duman'gang (두만강) Korean
Yalu River Ōryokukō, Ōryokkō (鴨緑江) Amrokkang (압록강) Korean

Norway

[edit]
 Norway (Noruwē (ノルウェー, 諾威))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Oslo Osuro (オスロ) Oslo Norwegian

Pakistan

[edit]
 Pakistan (Pakisutan (パキスタン, 巴基斯坦)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Islamabad Isuramabādo (イスラマバード) Islāmābād (اسلام آباد) Urdu
Karachi Karachi (カラチ) Karācī (کراچی‎) Urdu
Lahore Rahōru (ラホール) Lāhaur (لاہور) Urdu

Philippines

[edit]
 Philippines

(Firipin (フィリピン, 比律賓), Hitō (比島))

English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Albay Arubai (アルバイ) Albay Bikol
Bangsamoro Bansamoro (バンサモロ) Bangsamoro Malay
Camarines Norte Kita Kamarinesu (北カマリネス) Camarines Norte Spanish
Camarines Sur Minami Kamarinesu (南カマリネス) Camarines Sur Spanish
Catanduanes Katanduanesu (カタンドゥアネス) Catanduanes Bikol, Spanish
Legazpi Regasupi (レガスピ) Legazpi Spanish, Bikol
Manila Manira (マニラ, 馬尼剌†) Maynila Tagalog Based on English exonym
Masbate Masubate (マスバテ) Masbate Bikol
Sorsogon Sorusogon (ソルソゴン) Sorsogon Bikol

Poland

[edit]
 Poland (Pо̄rando (ポーランド, 波蘭))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Warsaw Warushawa (ワルシャワ) Warszawa Polish
Warusо̄ (ワルソー) Transcription based on English Warsaw

Portugal

[edit]
 Portugal (Porutogaru (ポルトガル, 葡萄牙))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Lisbon Risubon (リスボン) Lisboa Portuguese Based on English exonym
Porto Poruto (ポルト) Porto Portuguese Based on English exonym

Russia

[edit]
 Russia (Roshia (ロシア, 露西亜), Rokoku (露国))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Grozny Gurozunui (グロズヌイ) Groznyj (Грозный) Russian
Sölƶa-Ġala (Соьлжа-ГӀала) Chechen
Korsakov Ōtomari (大泊) Korsakov (Корса́ков) Russian
Kurilsk Shana-mura (紗那村) Kurilsk (Кури́льск) Russian
Moscow Mosukuwa (モスクワ) Moskva (Москва) Russian
Sakhalin Karafuto (樺太) Сахалин (Sakhalin) Russian
Siberia Shiberia (シベリア, 西比利亜,† 西伯利亜†) Sibir' (Сибирь) Russian
Vladivostok Urajiosutoku (ウラジオストク) Vladivostok (Владивосток) Russian
Yekaterinburg Ekaterinburuku (エカテリンブルク) Ekaterinburg (Екатеринбург) Russian
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Toyohara (豊原) Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Южно-Сахалинск) Russian

Saudi Arabia

[edit]
 Saudi Arabia (Saujiarabia (サウジアラビア))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Mecca Mekka (メッカ) Makkah (مكة) Arabic
Medina Medina (メディナ) Madinah (مدينة) Arabic
Riyadh Riyado (リヤド) Riyadh (رياض) Arabic

South Africa

[edit]
 South Africa (Minami Afurika (南アフリカ), Nan'a (南亜))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Cape of Good Hope Kibōhō (喜望峰) Cape of Good Hope English Translation of Cape of Hope
Kaap die Goeie Hoop Afrikaans
Johannesburg Yohanesuburugu (ヨハネスブルグ) Johannesburg Afrikaans Based on Afrikaans pronunciation

South Korea

[edit]
 South Korea (Kankoku (韓国))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Not on-yomi On-yomi
Busan Pusan (釜山) Fuzan Busan (부산)
Gangnam Kan'namu (江南) Kōnan Gangnam (강남)
Han River (Korea) Hangan (漢江) Kankō Hangang (한강)
Incheon Inchon (仁川) Jinsen Incheon (인천)
Itaewon Itewon (梨泰院) Ritai'in Itaewon (이태원)
Jeju Cheju (済州) Saishū Jeju (제주)
Pyeongchang Pyonchan (平昌) Heishō Pyeongchang (평창)
Seoul Souru (ソウル) Keijō (京城) Seoul (서울) Souru usually only written in katakana

While most South Korean place names are derived from words in the Chinese language, Japanese can refer to a Korean place name using Japanese on-yomi (Jeju (濟州) is Saishū (さいしゅう) in Japanese) or a pronunciation that imitates the Korean endonym name as closely as possible (Itaewon (梨泰院) is Itewon (イテウォン) or Ritai'in (りたいいん) in Japanese). Many place names in Korea have at least two of the pronunciations, the first being based on the Japanese on-yomi or kun-yomi and the second being based on the Korean endonym, with the latter being made so that the Japanese could navigate and ask for directions more clearly to native Koreans. Korean-based pronunciations are usually written in katakana.

Spain

[edit]
 Spain (Supein (スペイン, 西班牙))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Barcelona Baruserona (バルセロナ) Barcelona Spanish
Catalan
Basque Country Basuku Chihō (バスク地方) País Vasco Spanish
Euskal Herria Basque
Madrid Madorīdo (マドリード)
Madoriddo (マドリッド) 		Madrid Spanish
Granada Guranada (グラナダ) Granada Spanish
Seville Sebiria (セビリア) Sevilla Spanish
Valencia Barenshia (バレンシア) Valencia Spanish

Sweden

[edit]
 Sweden (Suwēden (スウェーデン, 瑞典))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Stockholm Sutokkuhorumu (ストックホルム) Stockholm Swedish

Switzerland

[edit]
  Switzerland (Suisu (スイス, 瑞西))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bern Berun (ベルン) Bern German
Geneva Junēbu (ジュネーヴ) Genève French
Lausanne Rōzannu (ローザンヌ) Lausanne French
Zürich Chūrihhi (チューリッヒ) Zürich German

Taiwan

[edit]
 Taiwan (Taiwan (台湾))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Non on-yomi On-yomi Name Language
Kaohsiung Takao (高雄)[17]
Kaoshun[17] 		(‡Kōyū) Gāoxióng Mandarin Takao is based on the Siraya name for the city.[18][better source needed]
Ko-hiông Taiwanese Hokkien
Kô-hiùng Hakka
Kinmen
Quemoy 		Jinmen (金門) Kinmon Jīnmén Mandarin
Kim-mn̂g-koān Taiwanese Hokkien
Kîm-mùn-yen Hakka
Taichung Taijon (台中)
Taitson 		Taichū Táizhōng (臺中) Mandarin Transcriptions based on Mandarin pronunciation and Chinese postal romanization, respectively
Tâi-tiong Taiwanese Hokkien
Thòi-chûng Hakka
Tainan Tainan (台南) Táinán (臺南) Mandarin
Tâi-lâm Taiwanese Hokkien
Thòi-nàm Hakka
Taipei Taipei (台北) Taihoku Táiběi (臺北) Mandarin Transcription based on Chinese postal romanization
Tâi-pak Taiwanese Hokkien
Thòi-pet Hakka
Taitung Taidon (台東) Taitō Táidōng (臺東) Mandarin Transcription based on Mandarin pronunciation
Tâi-tang Taiwanese Hokkien
Thòi-tûng Hakka

Similar to Chinese exonyms, Japanese can either use a transcription based on Mandarin or the Japanese on-yomi of the endonym. However, there are some Japanese place names that are unrelated to the Chinese name of the place, but are actually based on the Taiwanese aboriginal languages.

Thailand

[edit]
 Thailand (Tai (タイ, 泰))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ayutthaya Ayutaya (アユタヤ) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา) Thai
Bangkok Bankoku (バンコク) Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร) Thai Based on English exonym
Chiang Mai Chenmai (チェンマイ) Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Thai
Chiang Rai Chenrai (チェンライ) Chiang Rai (เชียงราย) Thai
Hua Hin Hoahin (ホアヒン) Hua Hin (หัวหิน) Thai
Krabi Kurabi (クラビ) Krabi (กระบี่) Thai
Pattaya Pataya (パタヤ) Pattaya (พัทยา) Thai
Phi Phi Islands Pīpī Shotō (ピーピー諸島) Mu Ko Phi Phi (หมู่เกาะพีพี) Thai
Phuket Pūketto (プーケット) Phuket (ภูเก็ต) Thai
Sukhothai Sukōtai (スコータイ) Sukhothai (สุโขทัย) Thai

Turkey

[edit]
 Turkey (Toruko (トルコ, 土耳古))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ankara Ankara (アンカラ) Ankara Turkish
Cappadocia Kappadokia (カッパドキア) Kapadokya Turkish Based on English exonym[19]
Tarsus Tarususu (タルスス) Tarsus Turkish
Istanbul Isutanbūru (イスタンブール) İstanbul Turkish
Izmir Izumiru (イズミル) İzmir Turkish

United Arab Emirates

[edit]
 United Arab Emirates (Arabu Shuchōkoku Renpō (アラブ首長国連邦[20])
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Abu Dhabi Abudabi (アブダビ)[20] Abu Dhabi (أبوظبي) Standard Arabic
Dubai Dobai (ドバイ)[20] Dubayy (دبي) Standard Arabic

United Kingdom

[edit]
 United Kingdom (Igirisu (イギリス, 英吉利), Egeresu (エゲレス), Eikoku (英国), Rengō Ōkoku (連合王国))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Belfast Berufasuto (ベルファスト) Belfast English
Béal Feirste Irish
Cardiff Kādifu (カーディフ) Cardiff English
Caerdydd Welsh
Edinburgh Edinbara (エディンバラ)
Ejinbara (エジンバラ) 		Edinburgh English Based on the Received Pronunciation of the name as opposed to the Scots pronunciation
Scots
Northern Ireland Kita Airurando (北アイルランド) Northern Ireland English
Tuaisceart Éirean Irish Gaelic
Norlin Airlann Ulster-Scots
Oxford Okkusufōdo (オックスフォード, 牛津) Oxford English Kanji 牛津 is based on the Chinese name for Oxford
Wales Wēruzu (ウェールズ) Wales English
Cymru Welsh

United States

[edit]
 United States (Amerika (アメリカ, 亜米利加),[21] Beikoku (米国),[22] Gasshūkoku (合衆国),[23] abbreviation:Bei (米)[22])
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
California Kariforunia (カリフォルニア)
Kashū (加州)† 		California English
Golden Gate Bridge Gōruden Gēto Burijji (ゴールデン・ゲート・ブリッジ)
Kinmon-kyō (金門橋) 		Golden Gate Bridge English Kimmonkyou is a translation of "Golden Gate Bridge"
Hollywood Hariuddo (ハリウッド)
Shōrin (聖林)‡ 		Hollywood English Shōrin is a translation of "Holy Wood"
Los Angeles Rosanzerusu (ロサンゼルス)
Rafu (羅府)† 		Los Angeles English Rafu is an abbreviation adapted from a now deprecated Chinese transcription for Los Angeles.[24]
New York City Nyūyōku (ニューヨーク) New York City English
Pearl Harbor Pāru Hābā (パール・ハーバー)
Shinjuwan (真珠湾) 		Pearl Harbor English Shinju-wan is a translation of "Pearl Harbor"
San Francisco Sanfuranshisuko (サンフランシスコ)
Sōkō (桑港)‡ 		San Francisco English
Washington, D.C. Washinton Dīshī (ワシントンD.C.)
Kafu (華府)† 		Washington, DC English Ka is a transliteration, while fu means capital

Vietnam

[edit]
 Vietnam Betonamu (ベトナム, 越南)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Can Tho Kantō (カントー) Cần Thơ (芹苴) Vietnamese
Dalat Daratto (ダラット) Đà Lạt (多樂) Vietnamese
Danang Danan (ダナン)[25] Đà Nẵng (沱㶞) Vietnamese
Dien Bien Phu Dienbienfū (ディエンビエンフー) Điện Biên Phủ (奠邊府) Vietnamese
Hoi An Hoian (ホイアン) Hội An (會安) Vietnamese
Haiphong Haifon (ハイフォン) Hải Phòng (海防) Vietnamese
Ha Long Bay Haron-wan (ハロン湾) Vịnh Hạ Long (泳下龍) Vietnamese
Hanoi Hanoi (ハノイ) Hà Nội (河內) Vietnamese
Hue Fue (フエ) Huế (化) Vietnamese
Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon 		Hōchimin-shi (ホーチミン市) Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh (城庯胡志明) Vietnamese
Saigon (サイゴン)[26] Sài Gòn (柴棍) Vietnamese
Nha Trang Nyachan (ニャチャン) Nha Trang (芽莊) Vietnamese

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Why do the Japanese call the UK 'Igirisu'?". RocketNews24. 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e 卜部 (1873). "北京(ペキン)". 英語箋 附録 [English wordbook Appendix] (in Japanese). Vol. 附録 (Appendix). Translated by Urabe (改正増補 (Enhanced revised) ed.). Osaka, Japan: 宝玉堂. doi:10.11501/870009. OCLC 673921511.
    • Layout: Japanese word (pronunciation) – English word (pronunciation)
    • 支那 (shina) – China (chaina)
    • 北京 (pekin) – Pekin (pekin)
    • 南京 (nankin) – Nankin (nankin)
    • 廣東 (kanton) – Canton (kanton)
    • 上海 (jōkai) – Shanghae (shanhai)
    • 香港 (honkon) – Hongkong (honkon)
    • 西蔵 (shibetsū) – Tibet (shibetto)
  3. ^ a b c d Kaji, Shigeki (2023-04-07). Thoughts on English from a Japanese Standpoint 英語について思うこと. Institute of Comprehensive Academic Research – Departmental Bulletin Paper(1) (Thesis) (in Japanese). Kyoto Sangyo University. p. 105. hdl:10965/00010802. ISSN 1348-8465.
  4. ^ Nakamura, Keiu, ed. (1879). "Peking". Dictionary of the English, Chinese and Japanese languages 英華和譯字典 (in Japanese). Vol. 2 (坤). Translated by Tsuda, Sen; Yanagisawa, Shindai; Ooi, Kenkichi (1 ed.). Japan: F. Yamanouchi. p. 68. OCLC 703979665.
  5. ^ a b Ōba, Kakō (1917-01-21). 世界を家として [The World as our home] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: 至誠堂書店. doi:10.11501/948876. OCLC 673410471. [維新前の時分には]上海(シヤンハイ)をジョウカイ、北京(ペキン)をホクキンと呼んだもので、巴里(パリー)もパリスと云はなければ承知しなかったものだ。 [[In those days at the dawn of Meiji Restoration,] they called 上海("shanhai") as "jōkai", and 北京("pekin") as "hokkin". For 巴里("parii"), you had to pronounce "parisu".]
  6. ^ a b c d e Usage examples:Nakanishi, Ryotaro (2022). 20世紀前半における日本人作成のハルビン案内書と市街地図 [City maps and guidebooks Harbin made by japanese in the first half of the 20th century] (PDF). Departmental Bulletin Paper – History and Anthropology. 50 (2022–02). Japan: University of Tsukuba: 7. hdl:2241/0002003191. ISSN 0385-4795.
  7. ^ "Honkon" ホンコン【香港】. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. October 2014. Retrieved 2024-04-27 – via kotobank.
  8. ^ Ando, Masatsugu (1929-03-15). 国語学概説 [Introductory Japanese linguistics] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: 廣文堂 (Kōbundō). p. 175. OCLC 672916169. 北京や上海や香港を日本流に読む人はないが、直隷とか四川とかいふやうな地名は、大抵日本流の發音ですましておく。 [No [Japanese] pronounce 北京, 上海 or 香港 in Japanese style, but for places such as 直隷 or 四川, most people would pronounce them with standard Japanese readings.]
  9. ^ Peng, Fei (1994-09-01). "Chotto" wa chotto - Pon Fei Hakushi no Nihongo no fushigi 「ちょっと」はちょっと – ポン・フェイ博士の日本語の不思議 ["Chotto" wa chotto - Doctor Pon Fei's 'Mysteries of Japanese language'] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Kōdansha. p. 120. ISBN 9784062070812. OCLC 42788922.
  10. ^ 金沢, 庄三郎, 1872-1967 (1911). "Amatsukami" あまつかみ 天津神. 辞林 Jirin (a precursor of Daijirin) (in Japanese). Japan: Sanseidō. p. 49. doi:10.11501/863017. Retrieved 2021-09-05.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ 小林, 房太郎, 1872-1937 (1932-09-30). "Chōkō" チョウコウ 長江. In Kobayashi, Fusatarō (ed.). 世界地名大辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). Vol. 2 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 1189. doi:10.11501/1876511. Retrieved 2021-04-18.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ 小林, 房太郎, 1872-1937 (1935-09-30). "Yōsukō" ヨウスコウ 揚子江. In Kobayashi, Fusatarō (ed.). 世界地名大辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). Vol. 3 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 2028. doi:10.11501/1876523. Retrieved 2021-04-18.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Kopenhāgen" コペンハーゲン. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank. Copenhagen
  14. ^ "死海". 死海 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  15. ^ 「緬甸」("menden") can be read "biruma" but not "myanmā".
  16. ^ a b c "Hakutōsan" はくとうさん 白頭山. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
  17. ^ a b "Kaoshun" カオシュン【高雄 Gāo xióng】. 世界大百科事典 第2版 (Heibonsha World Encyclopedia) excerpt (in Japanese). Japan: Heibonsha. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
  18. ^ "Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names | Island Folklore". Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions. 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  19. ^ "Kappadokia" カッパドキア. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank. Cappadocia
  20. ^ a b c "アラブ首長国連邦（United Arab Emirates：UAE）". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  21. ^ "Amerika" アメリカ【亜米利加・亜墨利加】. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
  22. ^ a b "Beikoku" べい‐こく【米国】. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
  23. ^ "Gasshūkoku" がっしゅう‐こく【合衆国】. 精選版 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
  24. ^ 南加州日本人七十年史 [Seventy Years of History of the Japanese in Southern California] (in Japanese). Los Angeles: 南加日系人商業会議所 [Nikkeijin Chamber of Commerce of Southern California]. 1960. p. 45.
  25. ^ 在ベトナム日本国大使館・総領事館 [Embassy and Consulate-General of Japan in Vietnam]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). 2020-01-20. Da Nang. Retrieved 2021-09-05. 在ダナン領事事務所 Da Nang Consular Office of Japan
  26. ^ 小林, 房太郎, 1872-1937 (1932-09-30) [1932]. "Saigon" サイゴン. 世界地名大辞典 (Sekai chimei daijiten / World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). Vol. 2. Tokyo: Nankosha. p. 788. doi:10.11501/1876511. Retrieved 2021-03-05.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • Nelson, Andrew N. (1962) The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company)
[edit]
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