How To Say “Japan” In Korean – The meaning of 일본 (ilbon)

Today’s lesson will teach us how to say “Japan” in Korean. After all, it’s the country neighboring the Korean peninsula in East Asia, and you’re likely to visit it a few times while staying in Korea if you like to travel.

Not only that, it’s a good word to know when making friends from other countries in Korea or when you’re discussing the different languages in the world.

Japanese Flag

How to say “Japan” in Korean

The word for “Japan” in Korean is 일본 (ilbon). Here are some related phrases to “Japan” in Korean. 

  • Japanese food – 일본 음식 (ilbon eumsik)
  • Japanese person – 일본 사람 (ilbon saram)
  • Japanese language – 일본어 (ilboneo)
  • Japanese tea – 일본차 (ilboncha)

Sample Sentences:

제 친한 친구는 일본에 일하러 갈거라고 했어요. (je chinhan chinguneun ilbone ilhareo galgeorago haesseoyo.)

My close friend said she will go to Japan to work.

일본으로 벚꽃을 보러 가고싶다면 비행기표와 호텔방을 다 일찍 예매해야해. (ilboneuro beotkkocheul boreo gagoshipdamyeon bihaenkiphyowa hothelbangeul da iljjik yemaehaeyahae.)

If you want to see the cherry blossoms in Japan, you need to book all the plane tickets and hotel rooms early.

일본 여행은 어땠어? 어디 가봤어? (ilbon yeohaengeun eoddaesseo? Eodi gabwasseo?)

How was your trip to Japan? Where did you visit?

우리 드디어 다음달에 일본에 가! (uri deudieo daeumdare ilbone ga!)

Finally, we’ll go to Japan next month!

How to pronounce “Japan” in Korean

You can say the word for “Japan” in Korean as 일본 (ilbon). The audio below can help you learn how to pronounce this word correctly.

일본 (ilbon)

For a complete pronunciation guide, you can also read our article on Korean pronunciation.

Mount Fuji, Chureito Pagoda In Autumn

How to say “Japanese” in Korean

“Japanese” in Korean, which refers to the language” is called 일본어 (ilboneo).

Similarly, “Japanese people” are called 일본 사람 (ilbon saram) or 일본인 (ilbonin) in Korean.

Sample Sentences:

일본 음식에 대해서 어떻게 생각해요? (ilbon eumshike daehaeseo eoddeohke saengkakhaeyo?)

What do you think of Japanese food?

요즘에는 일본어를 배우고 싶어요. (yojeumeneun ilboneoreul baeugo shipheoyo.)

These days I want to learn Japanese.

Here are some additional Korean words related to Japan. The Japanese words for these places in Japan also have the same pronunciation as their Korean counterpart.

“Tokyo” in Korean

The word for “Tokyo” in Korean, which is Japan’s capital city, is 도쿄 (dokyo).

“Osaka” in Korean

The word for “Osaka” in Korean is 오사카 (osaka).

“Kyoto” in Korean

You can say “Kyoto” in Korean as 교토 (gyoto). 

“Sapporo” in Korean

The Korean word for “Sapporo” is 삿포로 (satporo).

“Japanese product” in Korean

The word for “Japanese product” in Korean is일본산 (ilbonsan).

“Japanese-made” in Korean

If you’re referring to products made in Japan, the Korean word for that is일제 (ilje)  which translates to “Japanese-made.”

Can't read Korean yet? Click here to learn for free in about 60 minutes!

A word of caution about Romanization

While it is possible for you to study the Korean words in this article simply by reading their romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea. Hangeul is the Korean alphabet and is not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn in just 90 minutes.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in South Korea will suddenly seem so much easier, and the country won’t appear so foreign to you. Head over here for a free guide to learn it before your next meal.

KYOTO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 10, 2016 : Daigo-ji temple with colorful

Now that you know how to say “Japan” in Korean, you can tell all your Korean friends where you want to go on your next trip! What country would you like to know how to say next? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo Credit: BigStockPhoto

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