LOANWORD

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.

In Japanese, Phoenix can be represented in two main ways: katakana for the city name and kanji for its mythological meaning. Understanding these forms reveals not only the structure of the word but also the symbolic depth embedded in Japanese culture.

In Japanese, foreign country names are typically written in Katakana. Yet Cameroon has unusual forms: “喀麦隆” and “喀麥隆” in Kanji. These are evidence of Chinese phonetic influence on Japanese, providing insights into the shared linguistic history of East Asia.

Today, Seoul’s only official name is the native Korean word “서울”. Yet in Chinese and some other languages, the characters “首爾” are still used. This article explores why this difference exists by examining history and culture.

For Japanese people, Beijing represents two different faces. On one hand, it is an ancient capital filled with cultural treasures such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. On the other, it is a fast-developing global metropolis that impresses with skyscrapers and advanced technology. Yet, challenges such as traffic congestion and rising costs shape their view as well.