Meaning

Primary

American Person

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The アメリカ part is pretty easy so long as you know katakana. It's the word for "America." You know that means "person," so you can figure out that America + Person = American person.

Reading

あめりかじん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
アメリカじん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Often times, when two kanji come together to form a kanji compound (or jukugo), you use the on'yomi readings. This is similar to that, though instead of another kanji it's a foreign word. This pattern works with almost any country as well. Just add to a country name and you've described the people who live there. You'll see more of these before you're finished here.

And since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

Americans absolutely love their jeans (じん), it's a well-known fact!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • アンはアメリカ人

    Ann is American

    父はアメリカ人

    my father is American

    母はアメリカ人

    my mother is American

Context Sentences

アメリカ人ですか?

Are you American?

アメリカ人が二人います。

There are two American people.

マイケルは、フレンドリーなアメリカ人だ。

Michael is a friendly American.

Kanji Composition