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.

Legends
Archaic, obsolete

Rare

– Not exist

( ) Not exist, but kept on list for linguistic interest, or to prevent common errors.

Afghanistan …

 Afghanistan (Afuganisutan ( アフガニスタン))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Kābol (‫)ﮐﺎﺑﻞ‬ Dari

Kabul Kabūru ( カブール)
Kābəl (‫)ﮐﺎﺑﻞ‬ Pashto

Qandahâr (‫)ﻗﻨﺪﻫﺎر‬ Dari

Kandahar Kandaharu ( カンダハル)
Kandahār (‫)ﮐﻨﺪﻫﺎر‬ Pashto

Kunduz (‫)ﮐﻨﺪز‬ Pashto

Kunduz Kunduzu ( クンドゥズ)
Qonduz (‫)ﻗﻨﺪوز‬ Dari

Mazâr-e Šarif (‫ﻣﺰار‬

Dari
Mazar-i- Mazārisharīfu ( マザーリシ ‫)ﺷﺮﯾﻒ‬
Sharif ャリーフ) Mazār-i Šarīf (‫ﻣﺰار‬
Pashto
‫)ﺷﺮﯾﻒ‬

Algeria
  Algeria (Arujeria ( アルジェリア))
Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Algiers アルジェ) Dzayer

Aruje (
Berber

Al-jazāʾir (‫ )اﻟﺠﺰاﺋﺮ‬Arabic

Andorra

 Andorra (Andora ( アンドラ))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Andorra la Andora ra Berya ( アンドラ・ Andorra la

Vella ラ・ベリャ) Vella
Catalan

Angola

 Angola (Angora ( アンゴラ))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Luanda Ruanda ( ルアンダ) Luanda Portuguese

Antigua and Barbuda

  Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua Bābūda (アンティグア・バーブーダ))
Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

St. John's セントジョンズ) St. John's English

Sentojonzu (

Argentina

アルゼンチン,亜爾然丁))
 Argentina (Aruzenchin (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Buenos Buenosairesu ( ブエノスアイレ Buenos

Aires ス) Aires
Spanish

Córdoba Korudoba ( コルドバ) Córdoba Spanish

Australia
  Australia (Ōsutoraria ( オーストラリア), Gōshū (豪州))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Alice Arisusupuringusu ( アリス Alice

Springs スプリングズ) Springs
English

Canberra Kyanbera (キャンベラ) Canberra English

Kōraru Shī (コーラル・シ

Coral Sea ー)
Translation
Coral Sea English
Sangokai (珊瑚海)
from 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

Sāzudē Airando (サーズ

Thursday
デー・アイランド) Thursday
English
Translation

Mokuyōtō (⽊曜島)
Island Island from English

Ururu (ウルル)
Pitjantjatjara
Uluru Uluru
dialect

Austria

 Austria (Ōsutoria ( オーストリア, 墺太利))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Zarutsuburuku ( ザルツ
Salzburg
ブルク) Salzburg German

Wīn (ウィーン)
Based on German
Vienna Wien German
spelling
 Belgium

 Belgium (Berugī ( ベルギー, ⽩⽿義))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Buryusseru (ブリュッセル) Brussel Dutch

Burasseru (ブラッセル)
Brussels
Bruxelles French

Brazil

ブラジル, 伯剌⻄爾))
 Brazil (Burajiru (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Brasília ブラジリア)
Burajiria ( Brasília Portuguese

Rio de Riodejaneiro (リオデジャネ Rio de

Janeiro イロ) Janeiro
Portuguese

São Paulo Sanpauro (サンパウロ) São Paulo Portuguese

Cambodia
  Cambodia (Kambojia ( カンボジア, 柬埔寨))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Punonpen ( プノン Phnom Penh (ភំេពញ)

Phnom Penh
ペン) Khmer

Shemuriappu ( シェ Siĕm-réap (េស ម ប)

Siem Reap
ムリアップ) Khmer

Shianūkubiru ( シア Krong Preah Sihanouk

Based
Sihanoukville
ヌークビル) ( កង ពះសី ហនុ)
Khmer on
English

Canada

 Canada (Kanada ( カナダ, 加奈陀))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Montreal Montoriōru ( モントリオール) Montréal French

Montreal English

Ottawa Otawa (オタワ) Ottawa English

Québec French
Quebec Kebekku ( ケベック)
Quebec 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 Japanese name(s) Endonym
Note
name Not On'yomi On'yomi Name Language

Transcript

Beijing Pekin ( 北京) (

Hokkyō)
Běijīng Mandarin
based on
Chinese po
romanizat

Transcript

Chengdu Chendu ( 成都) Seito Chéngdū Mandarin

based on
Mandarin
pronunciat

Chanchun ( ⻑ Chángchūn
Changchun
春) Chōshun
⻓春)
(
Mandarin

Chonchin ( 重 Chóngqìng ( 重
Chongqing
慶) Jūkei
庆) Mandarin

Eberesuto ( エ
ベレスト) Transcript
エ
Everesuto (
Everest English
based on E
ヴェレスト)
Zhūmùlǎngmǎ
Chomoranma Fēng ( 珠穆朗 Chinese Transcript
チョモラン
( 瑪峰) based on
Mount
Everest
マ) Chomolungma Tibetan
Tibetan
(ཇ་མ
ོ ོ་ ང་མ)

Sagarumāta
サガルマー
(
タ) Sagaramāthā
Nepali
Transcript
Sagaramātā (सगरमाथा) based on N
サガラマータ
(
ー)
Dalian Dāryen ( ⼤連) Dairen Dàlián ( ⼤连) Mandarin

Guǎngdōng Transcript

Guangdong Kanton ( 広東) ( Kōtō) ⼴东)

(
Mandarin based on
historical E
Gwong2dung1 Cantonese exonym

Guǎngzhōu
Guangzhou
Kowanchou
広州)
(
Kōshū ⼴州)
(
Mandarin

Gwong2zau1 Cantonese

Guìlín Mandarin
Guilin 桂林)
Guirin ( Keirin
Gveilinz Zhuang

Kankō ( 漢 Hàn Jiāng ( 汉

Han River 江) 江) Mandarin

(Hubei) Kansui ( 漢 Hàn Shǔi ( 汉

⽔) ⽔) Mandarin

Hā'ěrbīn ( 哈尔
滨) Mandarin

哈爾
Harubin ( Kharbin
Russian
Harbin
浜, 哈爾賓) (Харбин)

Halbin ( )
Manchu

Hūhéhàotè ( 呼
Fufuhoto ( フ 和浩特) Mandarin

フホト) Kökekhota (
Hohhot
Hohehota ( ホ )
ーへホタ) Mongolian

Honkon ( ⾹ Transcript
Hong Kong
港) ( Kōkō) Hoeng1gong2 Cantonese based on E
exonym
Macau Makao ( マカ Ōmon ( 澳 Ou3mun2 Cantonese Makao bas
オ) ⾨) Portugues
exonym

Transcript

Nanjing Nankin ( 南京) (

Nankyō)
Nánjīng Mandarin
based on
Chinese po
romanizat

Ningxia Ninshā ( 寧夏) Neika Níngxià ( 宁夏) Mandarin

Not to be
confused w

Chintao ( ⻘ Qīngdǎo ( ⻘ Aoshima, t

Qingdao
島) ( Seitō)
岛) Mandarin different is
in Japan s
with the sa
kanji

As the
transcripti
for Shanxi
Shaanxi ar
indistingui
in Japanes
(since the

Sensei ( 陝 陕西)
way to
Shaanxi ( Shānshī)
⻄) Shǎnxī ( Mandarin distinguish
two in Man
is the tone
first syllab
is more co
to use the
yomi as th
distinguish
from each
Shanghai Shanhai ( 上 ( Jōkai) Shànghǎi Mandarin
海)
Zanhe ( ザン Zaan22 he44 Wu
へー)
As the
transcripti
for Shanxi
Shaanxi ar
indistingui
in Japanes
(since the

Sansei ( ⼭ way to
Shanxi ( Shanshī)
⻄) Shānxī Mandarin distinguish
two in Man
is the tone
first syllab
is more co
to use the
yomi as th
distinguish
from each

シ Shinsen
ェンチェン) (ン深圳 , 深セ Shēnzhèn
Shenchen (
Shenzhen Mandarin
)

Tai Po
Based on
District
(Hong
⼤埔)
Taipō ( Taiho Daai6bou3 Cantonese Cantonese
pronunciat
Kong)

Tianjin Tenchin ( 天 Tenshin Tiānjīn Mandarin Not to be

津) confused w
native Jap
word amat
 written usi
same kanj

Transcript
Tap Mun
Tapumunchau Taap mùhn based on
(Hong
Kong)
塔⾨洲)
(
Tōmonshū
Jāu
Cantonese
Cantonese
pronunciat

チベ Seizō (⻄
Chibetto (
西藏)
Transcript

Tibet ット) 蔵) Xīzàng ( Mandarin based on E

exonym Ti

Bodo (ボド) Bod (བ ོད) Tibetan

Wūlǔmùqí ( 乌 Transcript

Urumuchi ( 烏 鲁⽊⻬) Mandarin

based on
Ürümqi
魯⽊⻫) ( )
Ürümçi
Mandarin
Uyghur
Uyghur
(‫)ﺋﯜرۈﻣﭽﻰ‬ pronunciat

アモイ,
Amoi (
Based on

厦⾨, 廈⾨) Ē-mûi Hokkien historical E

exonym Am
Xiamen
Based on
Shāmen Xiàmén ( 厦⻔) Mandarin Mandarin
pronunciat

Xi'an ⻄安)
Shīan ( Seian Xī'ān Mandarin

Shinchan (新
Xinjiang
疆) Shinkyō Xīnjiāng Mandarin

Chan-gawa Chōkō ( ⻑ Cháng Jiāng

チャン川)
( 江) [3] ⻓江)
(
Mandarin

Yōsukō
Yangtze
揚⼦江)
( [4]
Yángzǐ Jiāng
( 扬⼦江)
(
Mandarin

Yōshikō)
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, and such transcriptions tend to be
more common than the on-yomi 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
written either in kanji or katakana.

Czech Republic

 Czech Republic (Cheko ( チェコ))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Pilsen プルゼニ) Plzeň Czech

Puruzeni (

Puraha (プラハ)
Prague Purāgu (プラーグ) Praha Czech
Puraggu (プラッグ)

Denmark …
  Denmark (Denmāku ( デンマーク, 丁抹))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Billund ビルン)
Birun ( Billund Danish

Kopenhāgen (コペ
Transcription based

Copenhagen
ンハーゲン) København Danish
on English
Copenhagen[5]

Kubunhaun (クブ
ンハウン)

Egypt

 Egypt (Ejiputo ( エジプト, 埃及))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

al-ʾIskandariyya Standard
Arekusandoria ( アレクサ (‫)اﻹﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ‬ Arabic
Alexandria
ンドリア) Eskendereyya Egyptian
(‫)اﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ‬ Arabic

Standard
al-Qāhirah (‫)اﻟﻘﺎﻫﺮة‬
Arabic
Cairo カイロ)
Kairo (
Egyptian
Maṣr (‫)ﻣﺼﺮ‬
َ
Arabic

Standard
an-Nil (‫)اﻟﻨﻴﻞ‬
Arabic
Nile Nairu-gawa ( ナイル川)
Egyptian
en-Nīl (‫)اﻟﻨﻴﻞ‬
Arabic
 France

フランス, 仏蘭⻄))
 France (Furansu (

English Japanese Endonym

Notes
name name Name Language

Cannes カンヌ)
Kannu ( Cannes French

Dankeruku (ダ
Dunkirk
ンケルク) Dunkerque French

Lyon Riyon (リヨン) Lyon French

Norumandī (ノ
Normandy
ルマンディー) Normandie French

Japanese form adapted

Paris パリ)
Pari ( Paris French
from French
pronunciation without
liaison

Sanrō ( サンロ
Saint-Lo
ー) Saint-Lô French

Germany …
  Germany (Doitsu (ドイツ, 独逸))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Berlin ベルリン)
Berurin ( Berlin German

Bonn Bon (ボン) Bonn German

Cologne Kerun (ケルン) Köln German

Furankufuruto (フランクフ Frankfurt am

Frankfurt
ルト) Main
German

Hamburg Hanburuku (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 Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Athens Atene ( アテネ) Athína (Αθήνα) Greek

Korinto (コリン
ト) Kórinthos
Korintosu (コリン (Κόρινθος)
Corinth Greek

トス)
Crete Kureta (クレタ) Kríti (Κρήτη) Greek

Marason (マラソ Marathónios

Based on
Marathon
ン) (Μαραθώνιος)
Greek English
exonym

Orinpia (オリンピ Olympía

Olympia
ア) (Ολυμπία)
Greek

Firippi (フィリッ
Filippoi
ピ) Fílippi (Φίλιπποι) Greek

Santorīni (サント
Santorini
リーニ) Thíra (Θήρα) Greek

Suparuta (スパル Based on

Sparta
タ) Spárti (Σπάρτη) Greek
English

Thebes Tēbe (テーベ) Thíva (Θήβα) Greek

Tessaroniki (テッ Thessaloníki

Thessalonica
サロニキ) (Θεσσαλονίκη)
Greek

Iceland …
  Iceland (Aisurando ( アイスランド, 愛斯蘭, 氷州), Hyōtō (氷島))
Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Reikyabiku (レイキャビク) Reykjavík Icelandic

Reikyavīku (レイキャウィーク)
Reykjavik

India …

 India (Indo ( インド, 印度))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Bangarōru ( バンガロ Bengaluru

Bangalore
ール) (बगलु )
Hindi

Chennai ( チェンナ
Chennai
イ) Chennee (चे ई) Hindi

Based on
Ganges Ganjisu (ガンジス) Ganga (गंगा) Hindi English
exonym

Haiderabādo ( ハイデ Haidaraabaad

Hyderabad
ラバード) (हैदराबाद)
Hindi

Kolkata Korukata (コルカタ) Kolakaata

(कोलकाता)
Hindi

Mumbai Munbai (ムンバイ) Mumbee (मुंबई) Hindi

Nyūderī (ニューデリ
Based on
Naii Dillii (नई
New Delhi
ー) द ली)
Hindi 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, 印度尼⻄亜))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Bali バリ)
Bari ( 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))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Dublin Daburin (ダブリン) Baile Átha Cliath Irish

Dublin English

Israel
  Israel Isuraeru ( イスラエル, 以⾊列)
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Dead Sea Shikai (死海) [6]

Yam ha-Melah (‫ים‬
‫)המלח‬
Hebrew
Translation of
"Dead Sea"

Erusaremu (エル Yerushaláyim

Jerusalem
サレム) (‫)ירושלים‬
Hebrew

Nazareth Nazare (ナザレ) Natsrat (‫)נצרת‬ Hebrew

Teruabibu (テル
Tel Aviv
アビブ) Tel Aviv (‫ )תל אביב‬Hebrew

Italy
 イタリア, 伊太利亜, 伊太利))
 Italy (Itaria (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Borō'nya ( ボロー
Bologna
ニャ) Bologna Italian

フィレ
Firentse (
ンツェ) Furōrensu based on English
Florence
Furōrensu ( フロ Firenze Italian
exonym
ーレンス)
Milan Mirano (ミラノ) Milano Italian

Naples Napori (ナポリ) Napoli Italian

Rome Rōma (ローマ) Roma Italian

Shichiria (シチリ
Sicily
ア) Sicilia Italian

Venetsia (ヴェネ
ツィア)
Benetsia (ベネツ
ィア)
Benechia (ベネチ Venezia
Benisu/Venisu from English
Venice Italian
ア) work of Shakespeare

Benisu (ベニス)
Venisu (ヴェニ
ス)
Japanese exonyms for Italian place names are generally based on the Italian
pronunciation rather than English exonyms.

Kazakhstan
  Kazakhstan (Kazafusutan ( カザフスタン))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Almaty アルマトイ)
Arumatoi ( Almatı (Алматы) Kazakh

Nurusurutan (ヌルスル Nur-Sultan (Нұр-

Nur-Sultan
タン) Сұлтан)
Kazakh

Laos

 Laos (Raosu ( ラオス, 羅宇, ⽼檛))

English Japanese Endonym
Notes
name name Name Language

Exonym based on
Ruanpabān Luangphabang
Luang
ルアンパバ (ຫລວງພະບາງ, ຫຼວງ
( Lao
actual Lao
Prabang
ーン) ພະບາງ)
pronunciation rather
than spelling

Bienchan (ビ Viangchan Exonym based on

Vientiane
エンチャン) (ວຽງຈັນ) Lao
English pronunciation

Liechtenstein

 Liechtenstein (Rihitenshutain ( リヒテンシュタイン))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Vaduz Fadūtsu ( ファドゥーツ) Vaduz German

Malaysia
 マレーシア, ⾺来⻄亜)
 Malaysia Marēshia (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Borneo Boruneo ( ボルネオ) Borneo Malay

Johor Bahru Johōrubaru (ジョホールバル) Johor Bahru Malay

Kuala Kuararunpūru (クアラルンプー Kuala

Lumpur ル) Lumpur
Malay

Penan (ペナン) Pulau

Tōjō-tō (東条島) (Former)
Penang Malay
Pinang

Putrajaya Putorajaya (プトラジャヤ) Putrajaya Malay

Mexico
 メキシコ, 墨⻄哥))
 Mexico (Mekishiko (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Ciudad シウダ
Shiudā Fuaresu ( Ciudad
Juárez ー・フアレス)) Juárez
Spanish

Cancún Kankun (カンクン) Cancún Spanish

Mexico Mekishikoshiti (メキシ Ciudad de Based on the

City コシティ) México
Spanish
English exonym

Monterrey Monterei (モンテレイ) Monterrey Spanish

Oaxaca Oahaka (オアハカ) Oaxaca Spanish

Puebla Puebura (プエブラ) Puebla Spanish

Puerto Puerutobajaruta (プエ Puerto

Vallarta ルトバジャルタ) Vallarta
Spanish

Tifuana (ティフアナ)
Tiwana from

Tiwana (ティワナ)
Tijuana Tijuana Spanish English
pronunciation

Berakurusu (ベラクル
Veracruz
ス) Veracruz Spanish

Myanmar
  Myanmar (Myanmā ( ミャンマー), (Biruma, Menden ( 緬甸)) [7]
)

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Bagan Bagan (バガン) Pu.gam (ပုဂံ) Burmese

Nepidō (ネピド Ne-pranytau

Naypyidaw
ー) (ေနြပည်ေတာ် )
Burmese

Yangon (ヤンゴ
Rankun (ရန်ကုန)်
Yangon
ン) Burmese

Netherlands

 Netherlands (Oranda ( オランダ, 阿蘭陀, 和蘭))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Amusuterudamu ( アムステルダ
Amsterdam
ム) Amsterdam Dutch

Den Hāgu (デン・ハーグ)

Hāgu (ハーグ)
The Hague Den Haag Dutch

Rotterdam Rotterudamu (ロッテルダム) Rotterdam Dutch

North Korea
  North Korea (Kita-Chōsen ( 北朝鮮))
English Japanese name Endonym
Notes
name Not on-yomi On-yomi Name Language

開城) Kaesŏng ( 개
Kaesong Keson ( Kaijō
성) Korean

Hakutōsan ( ⽩頭
Paektu Pekuto-san ⼭) [8]
Paekdusan
Mountain (⽩頭⼭) [8]
Chōhakusan ( ⻑ (백두산) Korean

⽩⼭) [8]

Pyon'yan ( 平 P'yŏngyang
Pyongyang
壌) Heijō
( 평양) Korean

Shiniju ( 新義 Sinŭiju ( 신의
Sinuiju
州) Shingishū
주) Korean

Tumen Tomankan Duman'gang

River (⾖満江) Tōmankō
( 두만강) Korean

Ōryokukō,
Yalu River Ōryokkō ( 鴨緑 Amrokkang
압록강) Korean
江) (

Norway

 Norway (Noruwē ( ノルウェー, 諾威))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Oslo Osuro ( オスロ) Oslo Norwegian

Pakistan
 パキスタン, 巴基斯坦)
 Pakistan (Pakisutan (

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Isuramabādo ( イスラマバ Islāmābād (‫اﺳﻼم‬

Islamabad
ード) ‫)آﺑﺎد‬
Urdu

Karachi カラチ)
Karachi ( Karācī (‫)ﮐﺮاﭼﯽ‬ Urdu

Lahore Rahōru (ラホール) Lāhaur (‫)ﻻﮨﻮر‬ Urdu

Philippines
  Philippines

(Firipin ( フィリピン))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Albay Arubai (アルバイ) Albay Bikol

Camarines Kita Kamarinesu ( 北カ Camarines

Norte マリネス) Norte
Spanish

Camarines Minami Kamarinesu Camarines

Sur (南カマリネス) Sur
Spanish

Katanduanesu ( カタン Bikol,

Catanduanes
ドゥアネス) Catanduanes
Spanish

Regasupi (レガスピ)
Spanish,
Legazpi Legazpi
Bikol

Based on
Manila Manira ( マニラ) Maynila Tagalog English
exonym

Masbate Masubate (マスバテ) Masbate Bikol

Sorusogon (ソルソゴ
Sorsogon
ン) Sorsogon Bikol

Portugal

 Portugal (Porutogaru ( ポルトガル, 葡萄⽛))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Risubon ( リスボ Based on English

Lisbon
ン) Lisboa Portuguese
exonym
 Russia

ロシア, 露⻄亜), Rokoku (露国))

 Russia (Roshia (

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Groznyj (Грозный) Russian

Grozny Gurozunui ( グロズヌイ) Sölƶa-Ġala
Chechen
(Соьлжа-ГӀала)

Moscow Mosukuwa ( モスクワ) Moskva (Москва) Russian

Noboshibirusuku (ノボ Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk
シビルスク) (Новосибирск)
Russian

Sankuto-Peteruburuku
Saint
サンクトペテルブル
(
Sankt-Peterburg
Russian
Petersburg
ク) (Санкт-Петербург)

Siberia Shiberia (シベリア) Sibir' (Сибирь) Russian

Urajiosutoku (ウラジオ Vladivostok

Vladivostok
ストク) (Владивосток)
Russian

Borugogurādo (ボルゴ Volgograd

Volgograd
グラード) (Волгоград)
Russian

Ekaterinburuku (エカテ Ekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg
リンブルク) (Екатеринбург)
Russian

Saudi Arabia
  Saudi Arabia (Saujiarabia (サウジアラビア))
Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Mecca Mekka ( メッカ) Makkah (‫ )ﻣﻜﺔ‬Arabic

Medina Medina (メディナ) Madinah (‫ )ﻣﺪﻳﻨﺔ‬Arabic

Riyadh Riyado (リヤド) Riyadh (‫ )رﻳﺎض‬Arabic

South Africa

 South Africa (Minami Afurika ( 南アフリカ), Nan'a (南亜))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Cape of Good
English
Hope
Cape of Good
Hope
Kibōhō ( 喜望峰) Translation of
Cape of Hope
Kaap die
Afrikaans
Goeie Hoop

Based on
Yohanesuburugu
Johannesburg
(ヨハネスブルグ) Johannesburg Afrikaans Afrikaans
pronunciation

South Korea
  South Korea (Kankoku ( 韓国))
Japanese name
English name Not on- On- Endonym Notes
yomi yomi

Pusan ( 釜 부산)
Busan
⼭) Fuzan Busan (

Kan'namu Gangnam (강
Gangnam
(江南) Kōnan
남)
Han River Hangan Hangang (한
(Korea) (漢江) Kankō
강)
Inchon ( 仁 Incheon (인
Incheon
川) Jinsen
천)
Itewon ( 梨 Itaewon (이태
Itaewon
泰院) Ritai'in
원)
Cheju ( 済 Jeju (제주)
Jeju
州) Saishū

Pyonchan Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang
(平昌) Heishō
평창)
(

Souru ( ソ Keijō
서울) Souru usually only written
Seoul
ウル) (京城) Seoul (
in katakana

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-yomi
(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 Ritai'in (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-yomi or kun-yomi 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 ( スペイン, ⻄班⽛))

Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Spanish
Barcelona Baruserona ( バルセロナ) Barcelona
Catalan

País Vasco Spanish

Basque Country Basuku Chihō ( バスク地⽅)
Euskal Herria Basque

Madorīdo ( マドリード)
Madoriddo (マドリッド)
Madrid Madrid Spanish

Granada Guranada (グラナダ) Granada Spanish

Seville Sebiria (セビリア) Sevilla Spanish

Valencia Barenshia (バレンシア) Valencia Spanish

Sweden

 Sweden (Suwēden ( スウェーデン, 瑞典))

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Sutokkuhorumu ( ストックホル
Stockholm
ム) Stockholm Swedish

Switzerland
   Switzerland (Suisu ( スイス, 瑞⻄))
Endonym
English name Japanese name Notes
Name Language

Bern Berun (ベルン) Bern German

Geneva Junēbu (ジュネーヴ) Genève French

Lausanne Rōzannu (ローザンヌ) Lausanne French

Zürich Chūrihhi (チューリッヒ) Zürich German

Taiwan
  Taiwan (Taiwan ( 台湾))
Japanese name Endonym
English
Non on- On- Notes
name Name Language
yomi yomi

Gāoxióng Mandarin
Takao ( ⾼ Takao is based on the
Kaohsiung 雄 )[9] ( Kōyū) Ko-hiông
Taiwanese
Hokkien
Siraya name for the
[9]
Kaoshun city.[10]
Kô-hiùng Hakka

Jīnmén Mandarin

Kim-
Taiwanese
Kinmen Jinmen mn̂g-
Quemoy ⾦⾨)
(
Kinmon
koān
Hokkien

Kîm-
Hakka
mùn-yen

Táizhōng Transcriptions based

臺中)
(
Mandarin

Taijon ( 台 on Mandarin

Taichung 中) Taichū Tâi-tiong

Taiwanese pronunciation and
Hokkien Chinese postal
Taitson
Thòi- romanization,
Hakka respectively
chûng

Táinán
臺南)
(
Mandarin

Tainan
Tainan
台南)
( Tâi-lâm
Taiwanese
Hokkien

Thòi-nàm Hakka

Taipei Taipei ( 台 Taihoku Táiběi Transcription based

北) 臺北)
(
Mandarin
on Chinese postal

Tâi-pak Taiwanese romanization

Hokkien
 Thòi-pet Hakka

Táidōng
(臺東) Mandarin

Taidon (台 Taiwanese
Transcription based
Taitung
東) Taitō Tâi-tang
Hokkien
on Mandarin
pronunciation
Thòi-
Hakka
tûng

Similar to Chinese exonyms, Japanese can either use a transcription based on

Mandarin or the Japanese on-yomi 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 ( タイ, 泰))
English Japanese Endonym
Notes
name name Name Language

Ayutaya ( アユ Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya
タヤ) (พระนครศรีอยุธยา)
Thai

Bankoku ( バン Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Based on
Bangkok
コク) (กรุงเทพมหานคร)
Thai English
exonym

Chiang Chenmai ( チェ Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม)

Mai ンマイ) Thai

Chiang Chenrai ( チェ Chiang Rai (เชียงราย)

Rai ンライ) Thai

Hoahin ( ホア Hua Hin (หัวหิน)

Hua Hin
ヒン) Thai

Kurabi (クラ Krabi (กระบี)่

Krabi
ビ) Thai

Pataya ( パタ Pattaya (พัทยา)

Pattaya
ヤ) Thai

Phi Phi Pīpī Shotō ( ピ Mu Ko Phi Phi (หมูเกาะพีพ)ี Thai

Islands ーピー諸島)
Pūketto (プー
Phuket (ภูเก็ต)
Phuket
ケット) Thai

Sukōtai (スコ
Sukhothai (สุโขทัย)
Sukhothai
ータイ) Thai

Turkey
  Turkey (Toruko (トルコ, ⼟⽿古))
English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Ankara アンカラ) Ankara Turkish

Ankara (

Kappadokia (カッパド Based on English

Cappadocia
キア) Kapadokya Turkish
exonym[11]

Tarsus Tarususu (タルスス) Tarsus Turkish

Isutanbūru (イスタン
Istanbul
ブール) İstanbul Turkish

Izmir Izumiru (イズミル) İzmir Turkish

United Arab Emirates

 United Arab Emirates (Arabu Shuchōkoku Renpō ( アラブ⾸⻑国連邦 [12]

)

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Abudabi ( アブダ Abu Dhabi Standard

Abu Dhabi
ビ) [12]
(‫)أﺑﻮﻇﺒﻲ‬ Arabic

Dubai Dobai ( ドバイ) [12]

Dubayy (‫)دﺑﻲ‬
Standard
Arabic

United Kingdom
 イギリス, 英吉利), Egeresu (エゲレス), Eikoku
 United Kingdom (Igirisu (
(英国), Rengō Ōkoku (連合王国))

English Japanese Endonym

Notes
name name Name Language

Berufasuto Belfast English

Belfast (ベルファス
ト) Béal Feirste Irish

Kādifu (カー Cardiff English

Cardiff
ディフ) Caerdydd Welsh

Dōbā (ドーバ
Dover
ー) Dover English

Edinbara (エ Based on the Received

ディンバラ) Edinburgh English Pronunciation of the
Ejinbara (エ
Edinburgh
name as opposed to the
ジンバラ) Scots
Scots pronunciation

Ingurando
England (イングラン England English
ド)
Gurasugō (グ
Glasgow
ラスゴー) Glasgow English

Ribapūru (リ
Liverpool
バプール) Liverpool English

Rondon (ロン
London
ドン) London English

Manchesutā
Manchester (マンチェス Manchester English
ター)
Northern Kita Northern
Ireland Airurando ( 北 Ireland English
 アイルラン Tuaisceart Irish
ド) Éirean Gaelic

Norlin Ulster-
Airlann Scots

Okkusufōdo Kanji ⽜津 is based on

Oxford オックスフ
( Oxford English the Chinese name for
ォード, ⽜津) Oxford

Sukottorando
Scotland (スコットラ Scotland English
ンド)
Wēruzu (ウェ Wales English
Wales
ールズ) Cymru Welsh

Yōku (ヨー
York
ク) York English

United States
 アメリカ, 亜⽶利加), Beikoku (⽶国),
 United States (Amerika ( [13] [14]

Gasshūkoku (合衆国), abbreviation:Bei (⽶) )

[15] [14]

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Kariforunia ( カリフォル
California ニア) California English
Kashū ( 加州)
Chicago Shikago (シカゴ) Chicago English

Denali Denari (デナリ) Denali English

Denver Denbā (デンバー) Denver English

ゴ
Goruden Gēto Burijji (
Kimmonkyou

Golden Gate ールデン・ゲート・ブ

is a
Golden Gate
Bridge リッジ) Bridge
English translation of

Kinmon-kyō (⾦⾨橋)
"Golden Gate
Bridge"

Hawaii English
Hawaii Hawai ( ハワイ)
Hawaiʻi Hawaiian

ハリウッド) Hollywood English

Hariuddo (
Shōrin is a

Shōrin (聖林)
Hollywood translation of
"Holy Wood"

Rosanzerusu (ロサンゼ
Los Angeles
ルス) Los Angeles English

Nyūyōku (ニューヨーク)
New York New York
English
City City

Pāru Hābā ( パール・ハ Shinju-wan is

Pearl
ーバー) Pearl
English
a translation
Harbor
真珠湾)
Shinjuwan (
Harbor of "Pearl
Harbor"

San Sanfuranshisuko (サン San English

Francisco フランシスコ) Francisco
Sōkō (桑港)

Washinton Dīshī ( ワシン Washington,

Washington,
トンD.C.) English
Kafu (華府)
D.C. DC

Vietnam

 Vietnam Betonamu ( ベトナム, 越南)

English Endonym
Japanese name Notes
name Name Language

Da Nang Danan ( ダナン) Đà Nẵng (沱㶞)

[16]
Vietnamese

Điện Biên Dienbienfū (ディエ Điện Biên Phủ (奠邊

Phủ ンビエンフー) 府) Vietnamese

Hội An Hoian (ホイアン) Hội An (會安) Vietnamese

Haiphong Haifon (ハイフォン) Hải Phòng (海防) Vietnamese

Haron-wan (ハロン
Vịnh Hạ Long (泳下⿓)
Hạ Long
Bay 湾) Vietnamese

Hanoi Hanoi (ハノイ) Hà Nội (河內) Vietnamese

Hue Fue (フエ) Huế (化) Vietnamese

Ho Chi Hōchimin-shi (ホー Thành phố Hồ Chí

Minh City チミン市) Minh (城庯胡志明)
Vietnamese

Saigon Saigon (サイゴン) Sài Gòn (柴棍)

[17]
Vietnamese

See also

Exonym and endonym

Names of Asian cities in different languages

Japanese place names

List of Japanese prefectural name etymologies

References

1. "Why do the Japanese call the UK 'Igirisu'?" (http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/12/0

5/why-do-the-japanese-call-the-uk-igirisu/) . RocketNews24. 2015-12-04. Retrieved
2016-11-20.

2. "Amatsukami" あまつかみ 天津神 (https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/863017/30) .

辞林 Jirin (a precursor of Daijirin) (in Japanese). Japan: Sanseidō. 1911. p. 49.
doi:10.11501/863017 (https://doi.org/10.11501%2F863017) . Retrieved
2021-09-05.

チョウコウ ⻑江 (https://dl.ndl.go.j
3. Kobayashi, Fusatarō, ed. (1932-09-30). "Chōkō"
p/info:ndljp/pid/1876511/208) . 世界地名⼤辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World
toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 2 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 1189.
doi:10.11501/1876511 (https://doi.org/10.11501%2F1876511) . Retrieved
2021-04-18.

ヨウスコウ 揚⼦江 (https://dl.ndl.g

4. Kobayashi, Fusatarō, ed. (1935-09-30). "Yōsukō"
o.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1876523/258) . 世界地名⼤辞典 (Sekaichimeidaijiten; World
toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 3 (2 ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Nankosha. p. 2028.
doi:10.11501/1876523 (https://doi.org/10.11501%2F1876523) . Retrieved
2021-04-18.

コペンハーゲン (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9
5. "Kopenhāgen"
A%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8F%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B2%E3%83%B3-66008) . 精選版
⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan:
Shogakukan. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank. "Copenhagen"

."死海" (https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E6%AD%BB%E6%B5%B7/@31.53745
96,35.2100883,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x15033c2eaf9fbba1:0xf38cff48a0
c15882!8m2!3d31.5590287!4d35.4731895?hl=ja) . 死海 (in Japanese). Retrieved
2020-06-11.
 7. 「緬甸」("menden") can be read "biruma" but not "myanmā".
"Menden" めん‐でん【緬甸】 (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%B7%AC%E7%94%
B8-614232) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition)
(in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan – via kotobank.

"Biruma"ビルマ (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%
9E-121840) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition)
(in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan – via kotobank.

. "Hakutōsan"はくとうさん ⽩頭⼭ (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%99%BD%E9%A

0%AD%E5%B1%B1-113793) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via
kotobank.

9. "Kaoshun" カオシュン【⾼雄 Gāo xióng】 (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E9%AB%98%

E9%9B%84-318748) . 世界⼤百科事典 第2版 (Heibonsha World Encyclopedia)
excerpt (in Japanese). Japan: Heibonsha. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.

10. "Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names | Island Folklore" (https://islandfolklore.com/s

tories-behind-taiwans-place-names/) . Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales &
Traditions. 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2020-12-04.

11. "Kappadokia"カッパドキア (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%83%E

3%83%91%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%82%A2-45347) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典
(Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan.
Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank. "Cappadocia"

12. " アラブ⾸⻑国連邦（United Arab Emirates：UAE）" (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofa

j/area/uae/data.html) . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese).
Retrieved 2021-06-28.

13. "Amerika" アメリカ【亜⽶利加・亜墨利加】 (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E4%BA%9

C%E7%B1%B3%E5%88%A9%E5%8A%A0%E3%83%BB%E4%BA%9C%E5%A2%A8%E
5%88%A9%E5%8A%A0-198894) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved
2021-09-05 – via kotobank.

14. "Beikoku" べい‐こく【⽶国】 (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%B1%B3%E5%9B%BD-1

28911) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Concise edition) (in
Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved 2021-09-05 – via kotobank.
15. "Gasshūkoku"がっしゅう‐こく【合衆国】 (https://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%90%88%
E8%A1%86%E5%9B%BD-464326) . 精選版 ⽇本国語⼤辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Concise edition) (in Japanese). Japan: Shogakukan. meaning [2]. Retrieved
2021-09-05 – via kotobank.

1 . 在ベトナム⽇本国⼤使館・総領事館 (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/annai/zaigai/li
st/asia/vietnam.html) [Embassy and Consulate-General of Japan in Vietnam].
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). 2020-01-20. Da Nang. Retrieved
在ダナン領事事務所 Da Nang Consular Office of Japan"
2021-09-05. "

17. "Saigon" サイゴン (https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1876511/6) . 世界地名⼤辞典

(Sekai chimei daijiten / World toponym encyclopedia) (in Japanese). 2. Tokyo:
Nankosha. 1932-09-30 [1932]. p. 788. doi:10.11501/1876511 (https://doi.org/10.115
01%2F1876511) . Retrieved 2021-03-05.

Nelson, Andrew N. (1962) The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character

Dictionary (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company)

External links

List of countries in Ateji (http://www1.cts.ne.jp/~fleet7/Museum/Muse357.

html)

Retrieved from
"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Japanese_exonyms&oldid=1053133
467"
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