Japan

Language: en

🇬🇧 /dʒəˈpæn/ 🇺🇸 /dʒəˈpæn/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A country in East Asia, consisting of an archipelago of islands in the Pacific Ocean, with Tokyo as its capital.; A hard, glossy black lacquer or varnish, originally from Japan, used to coat and decorate objects such as furniture and boxes.; An object or piece of work decorated with Japanese lacquer.
  2. verb
    To coat or decorate an object with a hard, glossy black lacquer or varnish, imitating Japanese lacquerwork.
  3. noun
    A type of black, glossy paint or varnish used for coating metal, wood, or other surfaces.
  4. adjective
    Of or relating to Japan, its people, culture, or language.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable 3rd sing.: japans Past: japanned Past part.: japanned Pres part.: japanning

Collocations

japan lacquerjapan warejapan black

Derivatives

japannedjapanningjapanner

Synonyms

lacquervarnishenamelshellac

Commonly confused

Japan
EN: 'Japan' (capitalized) is the proper noun for the country; 'japan' (lowercase) refers to a type of hard black lacquer or the verb meaning to coat with such lacquer.
lacquer
EN: 'Lacquer' is the general term for any coating; 'japan' specifically refers to a hard, glossy black lacquer originally from East Asia.

Spelling tips

EN: When referring to the country, always capitalize: 'Japan'. The lowercase 'japan' (lacquer) is now rare and mostly historical. Note the double 'n' in 'japanned' and 'japanning'.

💬 Examples

  1. Japan is known for its unique blend of traditional culture and modern technology.

  2. The antique cabinet was finished with a beautiful coat of Japan.

  3. The museum displayed a collection of fine Japans from the Edo period.

  4. She spent weeks japanning the old wooden tray to give it a glossy finish.

  5. The metal parts were coated with Japan to protect them from rust.

  6. The Japan Sea lies between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago.