[General Knowledge] Summary of Kanji Quizzes Representing Country Names
In Japan and China, the names of various countries around the world are sometimes written using kanji.
So, can you read each country name correctly when it’s written in kanji?
In this article, we’ll quiz you on country names written in kanji.
We’ve gathered questions at a general-knowledge level, so you should see many forms you’ve come across before!
Since kanji for country names are often ateji (phonetic or borrowed characters), even if you can’t read them at a glance, sounding out the characters one by one can lead you to the answer.
Whether you’re confident with kanji or not, give it a try!
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[General Knowledge] Summary of Kanji Quizzes Representing Country Names (1–10)
How do you read “伊太利亜”?
See the answer
Italy
It is said that long ago Italy was covered with rural landscapes where many cattle were raised. The Greek word “Italia,” which depicts the sight of calves playing among those cattle, is said to have become the country’s name as it is. Even today, Italy boasts many tourist spots shaped by abundant nature, such as the Blue Grotto and the Val d’Orcia.
How do you read “葡萄牙”?
See the answer
Portugal
The country name Portugal comes from combining the Latin words Portus, meaning a warm harbor, and Cale, forming “Portugal.” Japan has had a long history of exchanges with Portugal, and words such as pan (bread) and organ are examples of Portuguese terms used as-is in Japanese.
How do you read “亜米利加”?
See the answer
America
Because the word “Meriken,” used to refer to Americans, was written with the kanji 米 (rice), the kanji for America also includes 米. While America is written as 米国, it has also been represented as 亜墨利加 and 亜美利加.
[General Knowledge] Kanji Quiz for Country Names (11–20)
How do you read “独逸”?
See the answer
Germany
In German, Germany is called “Deutschland,” but in English it’s “Germany,” and in French it’s “Allemagne”—the name varies depending on the country. It’s said that the reason is that Germany was not under the long-term rule of any single country.
How do you read “英吉利”?
See the answer
United Kingdom
The official name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Referring to it as “Igirisu” is unique to Japan; around the world it’s written as “United Kingdom,” “Great Britain,” or the abbreviation “UK.”
How do you read “西班牙”?
See the answer
Spain
The kanji representation of Spain, “西班牙,” is pronounced “Shī-bān-niǎ” in Chinese. Because this pronunciation closely resembled the sound of the Arabic word that became the basis for the country name “España” in Spanish when read in Chinese, these kanji were adopted.
How do you read “比律賓”?
See the answer
Philippines
The Philippines was a Spanish colony from the 16th to the 19th century. Because of that, the country is said to have been named “the Philippines” after Philip (Felipe), who was the Spanish crown prince in the 16th century. Even though it is no longer a colony, Spanish place names still remain throughout the Philippines.