Meaning

Primary

Japanese Descent

Alternatives

Japanese Origin, Japanese-Operated

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

The stands for 日本 here. So what's a better term for a "Japan lineage" in English? That would be Japanese descent or Japanese origin.

日系 can be used for both people and entities, like in 日系アメリカ人 (Japanese-American) or 日系企業 (Japanese-operated company).

Reading

にっけい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This jukugo word uses on'yomi readings you learned with the kanji, but the reading changes from にち to にっ, so here's a mnemonic:

Which celebrity is popular with people of Japanese descent? Probably Nic Cage (にっけい). His wife is Japanese and he famously loves Japan, so maybe that's why? Just imagine the 日系 community cheering "Nic Cage! Nic Cage!" whenever you see this word.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 日系人

    person of Japanese descent

    日系企業

    Japanese-operated company, Japanese-affiliated company

    日系社会

    Japanese community

    日系スーパー

    Japanese supermarket

Context Sentences

ロサンゼルスには多くの日系アメリカ人が住んでいます。

Many Japanese Americans live in Los Angeles.

アメリカで日系企業につとめるメリットは何ですか。

What are the merits of working for a Japanese company in America?

私は日系の飛行機しか乗らないようにしています。

I only use Japanese airlines.

私の妻は日系アメリカ人の三世です。

My wife is a third-generation American of Japanese descent.

Kanji Composition