日本 (Rìběn): Japan (island country in East Asia)

Meanings

Literally 'origin of the sun' or 'where the sun comes from' — Japan lies to the east of China, in the direction of the rising sun.

Rìběn de yīnghuā hěn piàoliang.

Japan's cherry blossoms are very beautiful.

Tā zài Rìběn gōngzuò le sān nián.

He worked in Japan for three years.

history

日本 means 'origin of the sun,' which is also what 'Nippon' means in Japanese. This name has been used since the Tang dynasty.

日 rì

本 běn