LOANWORD

The kanji "叙利亜" is rarely used today, but it once appeared frequently in newspapers and geography books. It reflects Japan’s tradition of expressing foreign words in kanji, and it remains essential for understanding the history of Japanese writing.

The forms "墺太利" and "墺地利" are now found only in historical documents or old books. Yet, they represent Japan’s effort to incorporate foreign words into its own writing system during its encounter with the West. This article provides a clear explanation of the background and significance of these forms.

The Kanji spelling “尼日爾” for Niger may look unusual to foreigners, since the characters themselves mean “nun,” “sun,” and “you.” However, this notation is not about meaning—it is an ateji (phonetic borrowing), where Kanji were chosen simply to match the sounds of the word. Such forms reveal Japan’s creative way of writing foreign names before Katakana became the norm.

The Chinese character notation "委内瑞拉" for "Venezuela" may seem puzzling to many foreigners. In fact, it is a direct phonetic transliteration from Chinese, created not to describe the country’s features but to reproduce its sound. This article explains the background of this form, along with examples from other countries, in an easy-to-understand way.

In Japanese, Nepal is represented with the Kanji “尼婆羅”. This form prioritizes sound over meaning and spread through the transmission of Buddhism. Here, we explore its historical development and why it matters for foreign learners.

The city name “Birmingham” is written in Katakana in Japanese and in Chinese characters in Chinese. At first glance, the characters may seem to carry special meaning, but in reality, they are chosen only to reflect the sound. This article explains the background and provides a clear comparison between Japanese and Chinese ways of writing place names.

The Japanese writing “孟買” for Mumbai may look strange to modern readers, yet it reflects an important practice in history. Rather than literal meaning, the characters were selected for phonetic similarity. By studying “孟買,” foreign learners gain insight into how Japanese language absorbed global influences.

The city of San Antonio was named after Saint Anthony when Spanish missionaries arrived on his feast day in 1691. In Japanese, this origin is beautifully captured in the kanji form “聖安東尼奥,” where “聖” highlights the city’s religious roots and the other characters preserve the sound while adding cultural nuance.

The representation “費府” may mislead foreigners into thinking it means “an expensive city,” but in fact it was chosen purely for sound. The addition of “府,” a character symbolizing a major city in Japanese, highlights Philadelphia’s importance.

The Hannya mask is often misunderstood as a mere demon mask, but its meaning runs far deeper. In Buddhism, Hannya embodies wisdom that frees the mind from attachment, while in Noh theater it symbolizes a woman’s transformation into a demon due to overwhelming emotions. By seeing both perspectives, foreigners gain a more complete understanding of Japan’s unique way of expressing the human heart.