Translation guide
How to express 'American' in Japanese, covering nationality, people, things, and cultural references.
彼はアメリカ人です。
He is American.
アメリカの車
American car
Referring to an American person or people.
Standard term for an American person. Use for nationality or ethnicity.
彼はアメリカ人です。
He is American.
アメリカ人の友達がいます。
I have an American friend.
Formal or written term for an American person. Often used in news or official contexts.
米国人観光客が増えている。
The number of American tourists is increasing.
Loanword used in compound terms or casual contexts, but not for referring to a person directly.
Not used alone to mean 'an American person'. Use アメリカ人 instead.
アメリカンスタイルの店
an American-style shop
Describing something as American in origin or style.
Most common way to say 'American' as an adjective. Attach to a noun.
これはアメリカの車です。
This is an American car.
アメリカの文化に興味があります。
I'm interested in American culture.
Formal or written adjective for 'American', often used in news or official documents.
米国の大統領
the American president
Used in compound nouns or set phrases, often for style or atmosphere.
Referring to the country itself.
Most common name for the United States in everyday speech.
アメリカに行ったことがありますか。
Have you ever been to America?
Formal or written name for the United States. Common in news.
Referring to the variety of English spoken in the US.
Standard term for American English.
彼はアメリカ英語を話します。
He speaks American English.
Abbreviation for American English, used in linguistic contexts.
米語と英語の違い
differences between American and British English
アメリカ is the everyday word for the US, while 米国 is formal and often used in writing or news. 米国 is also used in compounds like 米国政府 (US government).
アメリカに住んでいます。
I live in America.
米国大統領
President of the United States
The word アメリカン is mainly used in compound nouns (e.g., アメリカンコーヒー) and cannot stand alone to mean 'an American person'. Use アメリカ人 instead.
アメリカンコーヒー
American coffee
米国政府
the US government