Question
Updated on
6 Dec 2022
- Arabic
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Japanese
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English (US)
Question about Japanese
What is the difference between "Nihon" and "Nippon" ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between "Nihon" and "Nippon" ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Whats the deference between nihon and nippon and when we have to use them ?
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- Japanese
It is juat a pronunciation probrem, same meaning.
However, japan government and medias officially uses "Nippon".
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
According to en.wiktionary, Nippon is Middle Chinese pronunciation.
FYR: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC
It is said that the word 日本 was invented by Japanese Emperor's palace in 7th cencury AD for diplomatic purpose to China, who expected Japan to be a vassal state under the Chinese rule.
In order to reject China's expectation, Japan tried to appear as a big nation with name of base of the sun, which 日本 stands for, and pronounced the word in Chinese way of Nippon.
So, probably Nippon was initially used to call own nation. Some time later, Japanese people started using pronunciation of Nihon because the sound is felt more elegant.
Actually, the combination of two kanji 日本 can be read as Nihon in ordinary on-yomi pronunciation but also Nippon as etraordinary pronunciation.
There is no rule when to differentiate pronunciation. You are free to use whichever you like.
Sound of Nippon may give an active/brisk atmosphere while Nihon will sound more chic/elegant. You may choose suitable one according to the ambience of occasion.
Highly-rated answerer
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