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Friday, August 17, 2012
Fact of the Day: Geppun
Japan's name is derived from Marco Polo's Italian rendition Geppun which is based on a then-Shanghai Chinese dialect name Jitpun. In Japanese, 日本 (Nihon) is the native word for Japan.
Jitpun is basically what shanghai residents would prononce the two characters for Japan. The first means sun and the other means origin. Thats where land of the rising sun comes from.
Oh that's interesting, I love all of your posts about the Japanese language, I'd like to learn it one day as I love the language. I don't have enough time though! :)
I've heard how it was formed but not the name of the country though!
ReplyDeleteDo you know what the translation of Jitpun was? Like...Land of the Lotus or Misty Mountains on the Water or Land of Dinosaurs and Sex Robots?
ReplyDeleteJitpun is basically what shanghai residents would prononce the two characters for Japan. The first means sun and the other means origin. Thats where land of the rising sun comes from.
Deletehaha, had no idea . great fact!
ReplyDeletexoxo
jasmine
ADAM ❤ ALEX
Oh that's interesting, I love all of your posts about the Japanese language, I'd like to learn it one day as I love the language. I don't have enough time though! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait to tell the Japanese I work with this fact today. They'll get a kick out of it :) Then again, they probably already know. lol
ReplyDeleteI thought it's Nippon. I like their culture and discipline. Marco Polo was from my region :)
ReplyDeleteNippon is an alternate word for Japan. In American culture, it's often used (like Nippon Ichi) but I always refer to it as Nihon.
DeleteAnother one I didn't know!
ReplyDeleteinteresting fact! And I think Nippon is used on their stamps.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting; always I learn something here:)
ReplyDeleteOne of the most interesting places in the world. I prefer calling the country Nihon as well when I converse with the Japanese at work.
ReplyDelete