Japanese exonyms

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Legends
dagger Archaic, obsolete
double-dagger Rare
– Not exist
(Red XN) Not exist, but kept on list for linguistic interest, or to prevent common errors.

Afghanistan[]

 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
Kandahar Kandaharu (カンダハル) Qandahâr (قندهار‎) Dari
Kandahār (کندهار‎‎) Pashto
Kunduz Kunduzu (クンドゥズ) Kunduz (کندز‎) Pashto
Qonduz (قندوز‎) Dari
Mazar-i-Sharif Mazārisharīfu (マザーリシャリーフ) Mazâr-e Šarif (مزار شریف‎) Dari
Mazār-i Šarīf (مزار شریف‎) Pashto

Algeria[]

 Algeria (Arujeria (アルジェリア))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Algiers Aruje (アルジェ) Dzayer Berber
Al-jazāʾir (الجزائر‎) Arabic

Andorra[]

 Andorra (Andora (アンドラ))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Andorra la Vella Andora ra Berya (アンドラ・ラ・ベリャ) Andorra la Vella Catalan

Angola[]

 Angola (Angora (アンゴラ))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Luanda Ruanda (ルアンダ) Luanda Portuguese

Antigua and Barbuda[]

 Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua Bābūda (アンティグア・バーブーダ))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
St. John's Sentojonzu (セントジョンズ) St. John's English

Argentina[]

 Argentina (Aruzenchin (アルゼンチン,亜爾然丁))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Buenos Aires Buenosairesu (ブエノスアイレス) Buenos Aires Spanish
Córdoba Korudoba (コルドバ) Córdoba Spanish

Australia[]

 Australia (Ōsutoraria (オーストラリア), Gōshū (豪州))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Alice Springs Arisusupuringusu (アリススプリングズ) Alice Springs English
Canberra Kyanbera (キャンベラ) Canberra English
Coral Sea Kōraru Shī (コーラル・シー)
Sangokai (珊瑚海) 		Coral Sea English Translation from English
Melbourne Meruborun (メルボルン) Melbourne English
Perth Pāsu (パース) Perth English
Sydney Shidonī (シドニー) Sydney English
Tasmania Tasumania (タスマニア) Tasmania 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
Uluru Ururu (ウルル) Uluru Pitjantjatjara dialect

Austria[]

 Austria (Ōsutoria (オーストリア, 墺太利))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Salzburg Zarutsuburuku (ザルツブルク) Salzburg German
Vienna Wīn (ウィーン) Wien German Based on German spelling

Belgium[]

 Belgium (Berugī (ベルギー, 白耳義))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Brussels Buryusseru (ブリュッセル)
Burasseru (ブラッセル) 		Brussel Dutch
Bruxelles French

Brazil[]

 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
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[]

 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

Canada[]

 Canada (Kanada (カナダ, 加奈陀))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Montreal Montoriōru (モントリオール) Montréal French
Montreal English
Ottawa Otawa (オタワ) Ottawa English
Quebec Kebekku (ケベック) Québec French
Quebec English
Vancouver Bankūbā (バンクーバー) Vancouver English
Victoria Bikutoria (ビクトリア) Victoria English

China[]

 China (Chūgoku (中国))
English name Japanese name(s) Endonym Notes
Not On'yomi On'yomi Name Language
Beijing Pekin (北京) (Red XNHokkyō) Běijīng Mandarin Transcription based on Chinese postal romanization
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)
Sagaramātā (サガラマーター) 		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 (哈爾浜, 哈爾賓) Hā'ěrbīn (哈尔滨) Mandarin
Kharbin (Харбин) Russian
Halbin (ᡥᠠᠯᠪᡳᠨ) Manchu
Hohhot Fufuhoto (フフホト)
Hohehota (ホーへホタ)double-dagger 		Hūhéhàotè (呼和浩特) Mandarin
Kökekhota (ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ) Mongolian
Hong Kong Honkon (香港) (Red XNKōkō) Hoeng1gong2 Cantonese Transcription based on English exonym
Macau Makao (マカオ) Ōmon (澳門) Ou3mun2 Cantonese Makao based on Portuguese exonym
Nanjing Nankin (南京) (Red XNNankyō) Nánjīng Mandarin Transcription based on Chinese postal romanization
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) (Red XNJōkai) 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)double-dagger 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.[2]
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
Bodo (ボド)double-dagger 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)double-dagger Chōkō (長江)[3] Cháng Jiāng (长江) Mandarin
Yōsukō (揚子江)[4]
(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[]

 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[]

 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[5]
Kubunhaun (クブンハウン)

Egypt[]

 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

France[]

 France (Furansu (フランス, 仏蘭西))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Cannes Kannu (カンヌ) Cannes French
Dunkirk Dankeruku (ダンケルク) Dunkerque French
Lyon Riyon (リヨン) Lyon French
Normandy Norumandī (ノルマンディー) Normandie French
Paris Pari (パリ) Paris French Japanese form adapted from French pronunciation without liaison
Saint-Lo Sanrō (サンロー) Saint-Lô French

Germany[]

 Germany (Doitsu (ドイツ, 独逸))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Berlin Berurin (ベルリン) Berlin German
Bonn Bon (ボン) Bonn German
Cologne Kerun (ケルン) Köln German
Frankfurt Furankufuruto (フランクフルト) Frankfurt am Main German
Hamburg Hanburuku (ハンブルク) Hamburg German
Munich Myunhen (ミュンヘン) München German

Greece[]

 Greece (Girisha (ギリシャ, 希臘))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Athens Atene (アテネ) 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) 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) Thíva (Θήβα) Greek
Thessalonica Tessaroniki (テッサロニキ) Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) Greek

Iceland[]

 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[]

 India (Indo (インド, 印度))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bangalore Bangarōru (バンガロール) Bengaluru (बेंगलुरु) Hindi
Chennai Chennai (チェンナイ) Chennee (चेन्नई) Hindi
Ganges Ganjisu (ガンジス) Ganga (गंगा) Hindi Based on English exonym
Hyderabad Haiderabādo (ハイデラバード) Haidaraabaad (हैदराबाद) Hindi
Kolkata Korukata (コルカタ) Kolakaata (कोलकाता) Hindi
Mumbai Munbai (ムンバイ) Mumbee (मुंबई) Hindi
New Delhi Nyūderī (ニューデリー) Naii Dillii (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[]

 Indonesia (Indoneshia (インドネシア, 印度尼西亜))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bali Bari (バリ) Bali Indonesian
Borneo Boruneo (ボルネオ) Kalimantan Indonesian
Jakarta Jakaruta (ジャカルタ) Jakarta Indonesian

Ireland[]

 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[]

 Israel Isuraeru (イスラエル, 以色列)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Dead Sea Shikai (死海)[6] 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
Tel Aviv Teruabibu (テルアビブ) Tel Aviv (תל אביב) Hebrew

Italy[]

 Italy (Itaria (イタリア, 伊太利亜, 伊太利))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bologna Borō'nya (ボローニャ) Bologna Italian
Florence Firentse (フィレンツェ)
Furōrensu (フローレンス) 		Firenze Italian Furōrensu based on English exonym
Milan Mirano (ミラノ) Milano Italian
Naples Napori (ナポリ) Napoli Italian
Rome Rōma (ローマ) Roma Italian
Sicily Shichiria (シチリア) Sicilia Italian
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[]

 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
Nur-Sultan Nurusurutan (ヌルスルタン) Nur-Sultan (Нұр-Сұлтан) Kazakh

Laos[]

 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[]

 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[]

 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[]

 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[]

 Myanmar (Myanmā (ミャンマー), (Biruma, daggerMenden (dagger緬甸))[7])
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[]

 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

North Korea[]

 North Korea (Kita-Chōsen (北朝鮮))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Not on-yomi On-yomi Name Language
Kaesong Keson (開城) Kaijōdouble-dagger Kaesŏng (개성) Korean
Paektu Mountain Pekuto-san (白頭山)[8] Hakutōsan (白頭山)[8]
Chōhakusan (長白山)[8] 		Paekdusan (백두산) Korean
Pyongyang Pyon'yan (平壌) Heijōdouble-dagger P'yŏngyang (평양) Korean
Sinuiju Shiniju (新義州) Shingishūdouble-dagger 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[]

 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[]

 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

Portugal[]

 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

Russia[]

 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
Moscow Mosukuwa (モスクワ) Moskva (Москва) Russian
Novosibirsk Noboshibirusuku (ノボシビルスク) Novosibirsk (Новосибирск) Russian
Saint Petersburg Sankuto-Peteruburuku (サンクトペテルブルク) Sankt-Peterburg (Санкт-Петербург) Russian
Siberia Shiberia (シベリア) Sibir' (Сибирь) Russian
Vladivostok Urajiosutoku (ウラジオストク) Vladivostok (Владивосток) Russian
Volgograd Borugogurādo (ボルゴグラード) Volgograd (Волгоград) Russian
Yekaterinburg Ekaterinburuku (エカテリンブルク) Ekaterinburg (Екатеринбург) Russian

Saudi Arabia[]

 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[]

 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[]

 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[]

 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[]

 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[]

  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[]

 Taiwan (Taiwan (台湾))
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Non on-yomi On-yomi Name Language
Kaohsiung Takao (高雄)[9]
Kaoshun[9] 		(double-daggerKōyū) Gāoxióng Mandarin Takao is based on the Siraya name for the city.[10][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[]

 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[]

 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[11]
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[]

 United Arab Emirates (Arabu Shuchōkoku Renpō (アラブ首長国連邦[12])
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Abu Dhabi Abudabi (アブダビ)[12] Abu Dhabi (أبوظبي) Standard Arabic
Dubai Dobai (ドバイ)[12] Dubayy (دبي) Standard Arabic

United Kingdom[]

 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
Dover Dōbā (ドーバー) Dover English
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
England Ingurando (イングランド) England English
Glasgow Gurasugō (グラスゴー) Glasgow English
Liverpool Ribapūru (リバプール) Liverpool English
London Rondon (ロンドン) London English
Manchester Manchesutā (マンチェスター) Manchester English
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
Scotland Sukottorando (スコットランド) Scotland English
Wales Wēruzu (ウェールズ) Wales English
Cymru Welsh
York Yōku (ヨーク) York English

United States[]

 United States (Amerika (アメリカ, 亜米利加),[13] Beikoku (米国),[14] Gasshūkoku (合衆国),[15] abbreviation:Bei (米)[14])
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
California Kariforunia (カリフォルニア)
Kashū (加州)dagger 		California English
Chicago Shikago (シカゴ) Chicago English
Denali Denari (デナリ) Denali English
Denver Denbā (デンバー) Denver English
Golden Gate Bridge Goruden 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"
Hawaii Hawai (ハワイ) Hawaii English
Hawaiʻi Hawaiian
Hollywood Hariuddo (ハリウッド)
Shōrin (聖林)double-dagger 		Hollywood English Shōrin is a translation of "Holy Wood"
Los Angeles Rosanzerusu (ロサンゼルス) Los Angeles English
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)double-dagger 		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)double-dagger 		San Francisco English
Washington, D.C. Washinton Dīshī (ワシントンD.C.)
Kafu (華府)dagger 		Washington, DC English

Vietnam[]

 Vietnam Betonamu (ベトナム, 越南)
English name Japanese name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Da Nang Danan (ダナン)[16] Đà Nẵng (沱㶞) Vietnamese
Điện Biên Phủ Dienbienfū (ディエンビエンフー) Điện Biên Phủ (奠邊府) Vietnamese
Hội An Hoian (ホイアン) Hội An (會安) Vietnamese
Haiphong Haifon (ハイフォン) Hải Phòng (海防) Vietnamese
Hạ 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)[17] Sài Gòn (柴棍) Vietnamese

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Why do the Japanese call the UK 'Igirisu'?". RocketNews24. 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  2. ^ "Amatsukami" あまつかみ 天津神. 辞林 Jirin (a precursor of Daijirin) (in Japanese). Japan: Sanseidō. 1911. p. 49. doi:10.11501/863017. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  3. ^ Kobayashi, Fusatarō, ed. (1932-09-30). "Chōkō" チョウコウ 長江. 世界地名大辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 2 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 1189. doi:10.11501/1876511. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  4. ^ Kobayashi, Fusatarō, ed. (1935-09-30). "Yōsukō" ヨウスコウ 揚子江. 世界地名大辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 3 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 2028. doi:10.11501/1876523. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  5. ^ "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
  6. ^ "死海". 死海 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  7. ^ 「緬甸」("menden") can be read "biruma" but not "myanmā".
  8. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  9. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  10. ^ "Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names | Island Folklore". Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions. 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  11. ^ "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
  12. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ 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
  17. ^ "Saigon" サイゴン. 世界地名大辞典 (Sekai chimei daijiten / World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 2. Tokyo: Nankosha. 1932-09-30 [1932]. p. 788. doi:10.11501/1876511. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  • Nelson, Andrew N. (1962) The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company)

External links[]

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