県 — meaning in English: Prefecture

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Guess the translation for province

シルク

shiruku

年齢

nenrei

女の子

onna no ko

子会社

kogaisha

県

ken

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 県 (ken) when discussing local governance, geography, or travel within Japan. For example, when talking about their hometown or planning a trip, they might say, 'I live in Osaka 県' or 'I want to visit Hokkaido 県 during the summer.'

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym of 県 (ken) is 地方 (chihō), meaning 'region' or 'area.' However, while 県 specifically refers to the administrative division of prefectures, 地方 has a broader connotation and can refer to regions in a more general sense. You would use 県 when emphasizing the administrative aspect, such as in legal or governmental contexts.

Culture

The word 県 (ken) has its roots in the historical governance structure of Japan, which dates back to the Edo period when the country was divided into various administrative regions. Today, Japan has 47 prefectures, each with unique cultural characteristics, and 県 serves as a reminder of the local identity and pride among its inhabitants. Interestingly, many Japanese people take great pride in their 県, often celebrating local festivals and culinary specialties.

FAQ

Q.What does the Japanese word 県 mean?

The Japanese word 県 (ken) means 'prefecture' in English. It refers to one of the 47 administrative divisions of Japan, each with its own local government.

Q.How do I use 県 in a sentence?

You can use 県 in a sentence by stating your location or discussing travel plans, like 'I am from Kanagawa 県' or 'I will visit Fukuoka 県 next month.'

Q.Are there different types of 県 in Japan?

No, all 県 are similar in that they are administrative divisions; however, they can differ significantly in terms of culture, population, and geography. Each 県 has unique festivals, foods, and landmarks.

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