Japanese exonyms
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.
Australia
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia Ōsutoraria, Gōshū (オーストラリア, 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 | |
| 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 | |||
| Vienna | Wīn (ウィーン) | Wien | German | based on German spelling |
Belgium
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Belgium Berugī (ベルギー / 白耳義) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Brussels | Buryusseru, Burasseru (ブリュッセル/ 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 | |||
| Brasilia | 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 | Sampauro (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 | Punompen (プノンペン) | Phnompenh (ភ្នំពេញ) | Khmer | |
| Siem Reap | Shiemuriappu (シェムリアップ) | Siemrab (សៀមរាប) | Khmer | |
| Sihanoukville | Shianūkubiru (シアヌークビル) | Krongpreahseihnou (ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ) | Khmer | |
Canada
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} 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 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Transcription | On reading | Name | Language | ||
| Beijing | Pekin (北京) | Hokkyō | Bĕijīng | 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 / エヴェレスト) | Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng
(珠穆朗瑪峰) |
Chinese | transcriptions based on English, Tibetan, and Nepali respectively | |
| Chomoranma (チョモランマ) | Chomolungma
(ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ) |
Tibetan | |||
| Sagarumāta (サガルマータ) | Sagarumāta (सगरमाथा) | Nepali | |||
| Dalian | Dāryen (大連) | Dairen | Dàlián (大连) | Mandarin | |
| Grass Island, Hong Kong (Tap Mun) | Tapumunchau (塔門洲) | Tōmonshū | Taapmùhn Jāu | Cantonese | transcription based on Cantonese pronunciation |
| Guangdong | Kanton (広東) | Guǎngdōng
(广东) |
Mandarin | transcription based on historical English exonym | |
| Gwong2 Dung1 | Cantonese | ||||
| Guangzhou | Kōshū
(広州) |
Guǎngzhōu
(广州) |
Mandarin | ||
| Gwong2 Zau1 | Cantonese | ||||
| Guilin | Guirin (桂林) | Keirin | Guìlín (桂林) | Mandarin | first name based on Mandarin pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| 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 Hoton | Manchu | ||||
| Hohhot | Fufuhoto (呼和浩特) | Hūhéhàotè | Mandarin | ||
| Kökeqota (ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ) | Mongolian script | ||||
| Hong Kong | Honkon (香港) | Kōkō | Hēung Góng | Cantonese | transcription based on English exonym, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Macau | Makao (澳門) | Ōmon | Ou Mun | Cantonese | first name based on Portuguese exonym |
| Nanjing | Nankin (南京) | Nankyō | Nánjīng | Mandarin | transcription based on Chinese postal romanization |
| Ningxia | Ninshā (寧夏) | Neika | Níngxià (宁夏) | Mandarin | |
| Qingdao | Chindao (青島) | Seitō | Qīngdǎo
(青岛市) |
Mandarin | not to be confused with Aoshima, two different islands in Japan spelled with the same kanji |
| Shaanxi | Shanshī | 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 readings as they are distinguishable from each oher |
| Shanghai | Shanhai (上海) | Jōkai | Shànghǎi | Mandarin | |
| Zaon3 He2 | Wu | ||||
| Shanxi | Shanshī | 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 readings as they are distinguishable from each oher |
| 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 | Daaihbou | Cantonese | based on Cantonese pronunciation |
| Tianjin | Tenshin (天津) | Tiānjīn | Mandarin | based on kanji on reading ten and imitated Chinese shin. Not to be confused with native Japanese word amatsu, written using the same kanji[2] | |
| Tibet | Chibetto (チベット) | Seizō
(西蔵) |
Bod (བོད) | Tibetan | transcription based on English exonym |
| Xīzàng (西藏) | Madarin | ||||
| Urumqi | Urumuchi (烏魯木斉)[3] | Wūlǔmùqí
(乌鲁木齐) |
Mandarin | transcription based on Mandarin pronunciation | |
| Ürümqi (ئۈرۈمچى) | Uighur | ||||
| Xiamen | Amoi, Shāmen, Ēmen
(厦門 / 廈門) |
Xiàmén (厦门) | Mandarin | first name based on historical English exonym, Amoy, second name based on Mandarin pronunciation, third name based on the current Amoy name | |
| Ē-mn̂g | Amoy | ||||
| Xi'an | Shīan (西安) | Seian | Xī'ān | Mandarin | |
| Xinjiang[4] | Shinchan (シンチャン) | Shinkyō
(新疆) |
Shinjang (شىنجاڭ) | Uighur | |
| Yangtze River | (Chan-gawa) チャン川 | Yōshikō
(揚子江) |
Chángjiāng
(长江) |
Mandarin | |
| Chōkō (長江) | |||||
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 (see above), and such transcriptions tend to be more common than the on readings 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 either be written either in kanji or katakana. The kanji listed are generally more accurate to the traditional Chinese variants of the endonyms than the current simplified Chinese.
Czech Republic
 Czechia 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), Kubunhaun (クブンハウン) | København | Danish | |
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 | |||
| Alexandria (ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁ) | Coptic | |||
| Rakodī (ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ) | Coptic | |||
| Alexandreia (Αλεξάνδρεια) | Greek | |||
| Rakótis (Ρακώτις) | Greek | |||
| Raˁ-Ḳāṭit | Egyptian | |||
| Cairo | Kairo (カイロ) | al-Qāhirah (القاهرة) | Standard Arabic | |
| Maṣr (مَصر) | Egyptian Arabic | |||
| Nile | Nairukawa (ナイル河 / ナイル川) | an-Nil (النيل) | Standard Arabic | |
| Phiaro (ⲫⲓⲁⲣⲱ) | Coptic | |||
| Iteru | Egyptian | |||
France
 France Furansu (フランス / 仏蘭西) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Cannes | Kan'nu (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 | German | |
| Hamburg | Hamburuku (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) | 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 | Olympia (オリンピア) | Olympía (Ολυμπία) | Greek | |
| Philippi | 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), Reykyavīku (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 | Chen'nai (チェンナイ) | Chennee (चेन्नई) | Hindi | |
| Ganges | Ganjisu (ガンジス) | Ganga (गंगा) | Hindi | |
| Hyderabad | Haiderabādo (ハイデラバード) | Haidaraabaad (हैदराबाद) | Hindi | |
| Kolkata | Korukata (コルカタ) | Kolakaata (कोलकाता) | Hindi | |
| Mumbai | Mumbai (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 | The English name, Dublin, is also often used in Ireland. |
Israel
 Israel Isuraeru (イスラエル / 以色列) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Dead Sea | Shikai (死海)[5] | 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 | Borōnya (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 / 羅馬 ) | Roma | Italian | |
| Sicily | Shichiria (シチリア) | Sicilia | Italian | |
| Venice | Venetsiya (ヴェネツィア), Benetsiya (ベネツィア), Benetshiya (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 Kazahusutan (カザフスタン / 哈薩克斯坦) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Almaty | Arumatoi (アルマトイ) | Almaty | Kazakh | |
| Nur-Sultan | Nurusurutan (ヌルスルタン) | Nur-Sultan | 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) | Lao | exonym based on actual Lao pronunciation rather than spelling |
| Vientiane | Bienchan (ビエンチャン) | Wīangchan (ວຽງຈັນ) | Lao | |
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 | Kuararumpūru (クアラルンプール) | Kuala Lumpur | Malay | |
| Penang | Penan (ペナン), Tōjō-tō (東条島) | 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 | |||
| Cancun | Kankun (カンクン) | Cancun | Spanish | |
| Mexico City | Mekishikoshiti (メキシコシティ) | Ciudad de México | Spanish | based of the English exonym |
| Puerto Vallarta | Puerutobajaruta (プエルトバジャルタ) | Puerto Vallarta | Spanish | |
| Tijuana | Tifana (ティファナ), Tiwana (ティワナ) | Tijuana | Spanish | Tiwana from English pronunciation |
| Ciudad Juarez | Shiudādofuaresu (シウダードフアレス) | Ciudad Juárez | Spanish | |
Myanmar
 Myanmar Myanmā (ミャンマー / 緬甸) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Bagan | Bagan (バガン) | Pugan (ပုဂံ) | Burmese | |
| Naypyidaw | Nepidō (ネピドー) | Naypyidaw (နေပြည်တော်) | Burmese | |
| Yangon | Yangon (ヤンゴン) | Raankone (ရန်ကုန်) | Burmese | |
The 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) | Den Haag | Dutch | |
| Rotterdam | Rotterdam (ロッテルダム) | Rotterdam | Dutch | |
North Korea
 North Korea [Kita-]Chōsen ([北]朝鮮) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Mount Paektu | Hakutōsan (白頭山), Chōhakusan (長白山) | Baegdusan (백두산) | Korean | Japanese exonyms are the Sino-Japanese pronunciations of the Korean name and the Chinese name respectively. |
| Pyongyang | Heijō / Pyonyan (平壌) | Pyŏngyang (평양) | Korean | Japanese exonyms are the Sino-Japanese name and the Japono-Koreanic pronunciation respectively. |
| Tumen River | Tōmankō / Tomankan (豆満江) | Dumangang (두만강) | Korean | Japanese exonyms are the Sino-Japanese name and the Japono-Koreanic pronunciation respectively. |
| Yalu River | Ōryokukō (鴨緑江) | Amnokgang (압록강) | Korean | Japanese exonym is based on the Sino-Japanese name, as the river is also in China. |
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) | Islamabad (اسلام آباد) | Urdu | |
| Karachi | Karachi (カラチ) | Karachi (کراچی) | Urdu | |
| Lahore | Rahōru (ラホール) | Lahor (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 | |
Russia
 Russia Roshia, Rokoku (ロシア / 露西亜, 露国) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Grozny | Gurozunui (グロズヌイ) | Groznyj (Грозный) | Russian | |
| Sölƶa-Ġala | Chechen | |||
| Moscow | Mosukuwa (モスクワ) | Moskva (Москва) | Russian | |
| Novosibirsk | Noboshibirusuku (ノボシビルスク) | Novosibirsk (Новосибирск) | Russian | |
| Saint Petersburg | Sankutopeteruburuku (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, Nan'a (南アフリカ, 南亜) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Cape of Good Hope | Kēpu Obu Guddohōpu (ケープ・オブ・グッドホープ), Kibouhou (喜望峰) | Cape of Good Hope | English | Translation of "Cape of Hope" |
| 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 | |
| Transcription | On reading | |||
| Busan | Pusan (釜山) | Fuzan | Busan (부산) | first name based on kanji on readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Gangnam | Kan'namu (江南) | Kōnan | Gangnam (강남) | first name based on kanji on readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Han River (Korea) | Hangan (漢江) | Kankō | Hangang (한강) | first name based on kanji on readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Incheon | Inchon (仁川) | Jinsen | Incheon (인천) | first name based on kanji kun readings, second name based on kanji on readings, third name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Itaewon | Itewon (梨泰院) | Ritaiin | Itaewon (이태원) | first name based on kanji on readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Jeju | Jeju (済州) | Saishū | Jeju (제주) | first name based on kanji on readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Pyeongchang | Pyonchan (平昌) | Heishō | Pyeongchang (평창) | first name based on kanji kun readings, second name based on Korean pronunciation |
| Seoul | Sōru (ソウル) | Keijō / Kyōjō (京城) | Seoul (서울) | Sōru usually only written in katakana |
| Kanjō (漢城) | ||||
| Ireijō (慰礼城) | ||||
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 readings (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 Ritaiin 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 or kun reading 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, Supein, Isupania, (スペイン / 西班牙、 イスパニア) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engish 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 | |
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 | Be-ru-nu (ベルン) | Bern | German | |
| Geneva | Ju-nē-bu (ジュネーブ) | Genève | French | |
| Lausanne | Rō-zan-nu (ローザンヌ) | Lausanne | French | |
| Zürich | Chū-ri-hi (チューリッヒ) | Zürich | German | |
Taiwan
 Taiwan (台湾 / 臺灣) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | ||
| Transcription of endonym | On readings | Name | Language | ||
| Kaohsiung | Takao / Kaoshon (高雄) | Kōyū | Gāoxióng | Mandarin | Takao is based on the Siraya name for the city.[6] This is not to be mistaken for the Takao District in Kyoto. |
| Ko-hiông | Taiwanese Hokkien | ||||
| Kô-hiùng | Hakka | ||||
| Kinmen | Jinmen (金門) | Kinmon | Jīnmén | Mandarin | |
| Kim-mn̂g-koān | Taiwanese Hokkien | ||||
| Quemoy | Kîm-mùn-yen | Hakka | |||
| Taichung | Taijon / Taitson (台中) | Taichū | Táizhōng
(臺中) |
Mandarin | transcriptions based on Mandarin pronunciation and Chinese postal romanization respectively |
| Tâi-tiong-tshī | Taiwanese Hokkien | ||||
| Thòi-chûng-sṳ | 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 readings 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, Taikoku (タイ, 泰国) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Ayutthaya | Ayutaya (アユタヤ) | Ayutthaya (อยุธยา) | Thai | |
| Bangkok | Bankoku (バンコク) | Krung Thep (กรุงเทพ) | 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) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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-shuchōkokurempō (アラブ首長国連邦) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Abudabi (アブダビ) | Abu Dhabi (أبوظبي) | Standard Arabic | |
| Dubai | Dobai (ドバイ) | Dubay (دبي) | Standard Arabic | |
United Kingdom
 United Kingdom Igirisu, Egeresu, Eikoku, Rengō-ōkoku (イギリス / 英吉利、エゲレス、英国、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 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, Beigoku, Gasshuukoku (アメリカ / 亜米利加, 米国, 合衆国) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| California | Kariforunia (カリフォルニア), Kashū (加州) | California | English | |
| Chicago | Shikago (シカゴ) | Chicago | English | |
| Denali | Denari (デナリ) | Denali | 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) | Hollywood | English | 聖 = holy, 林 = woods |
| 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) | Pearl Harbor | English | Shinju-wan is a translation of "pearl bay" |
| Washington, DC | Washinton Dīshī (ワシントン DC), Kafu (華府) | Washington, DC | English | |
Vietnam
 Vietnam Betonamu (ベトナム / 越南) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Japanese name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Danang | Danan (ダナン),[7] Tanō (沱㶞) | Đà Nẵng | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Dien Bien Phu | Dienbienfū (ディエンビエンフー), Denhenfu (奠辺府) | Điện Biên Phủ | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Haiphong | Haifon (ハイフォン), Kaibō (海防) | Hải Phòng | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Halong Bay | Haron-wan (ハロン湾), Karyū-wan (下龍湾) | Vịnh Hạ Long | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Hanoi | Hanoi (ハノイ), Kanai (河内) | Hà Nội | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Hōchimin-shi (ホーチミン市), Koshimei-shi (胡志明市) | Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings |
| Hue | Fue (フエ / 化), | Huế | Vietnamese | first name based on Vietnamese pronunciation, second name based on kanji on readings of the old name Thuận Hóa |
| Junka (順化) | ||||
| Saigon | Saigon (サイゴン / 柴棍) | Sài Gòn | Vietnamese | Saigon is the former name for Ho Chi Minh City, though both names are still used colloquially |
See also
References
- "Why do the Japanese call the UK 'Igirisu'?". RocketNews24. 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- "天津 - Jisho.org". jisho.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- For place names in mainland China (which excludes Hong Kong and Macau), Japanese exonym kanji is different from the simplified Chinese characters used in the endonym.
- "Xinjiang - translation - English-Uighur Dictionary". Glosbe. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- "死海". 死海 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- "Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names | Island Folklore". Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions. 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- "ダナン". ダナン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- Nelson, Andrew N. (1962) The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company)
External links
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