noun
southern barbarians
Historical, derogatory term from ancient China for non-Chinese ethnic groups to the south. Rare in modern Japanese outside historical references.
古代中国では、南方の異民族を南蛮と呼んだ。
In ancient China, non-Chinese ethnic groups to the south were called 'southern barbarians'.
noun
Southeast Asia; Western Europe (historical)
In late-Muromachi and Edo periods, referred broadly to Southeast Asian countries and later to Western Europe, especially Spain, Portugal, and their colonies. Now a historical term.
南蛮貿易は、戦国時代から江戸初期にかけて盛んに行われた。
Nanban trade flourished from the Sengoku period to the early Edo period.
noun, used as a prefix
Prefix used historically for goods, styles, or items from Southeast Asia or Western Europe, often with an exotic or Western connotation. Common in compounds like 南蛮菓子 (nanban sweets).
南蛮渡来の品々が珍重された。
Goods brought by the Nanban (Westerners) were highly prized.
noun
Abbreviation of 南蛮辛子 (なんばんがらし). Used in some regions or older contexts to refer to chili peppers. See also 唐辛子.
See also: 唐辛子
この地方では、唐辛子のことを南蛮と呼ぶことがある。
In this region, chili peppers are sometimes called 'nanban'.
noun
nanban dish
Abbreviation of 南蛮煮 (なんばんに). A dish prepared with chili peppers and Welsh onions, often featuring meat or fish. Culinary term.
See also: 南蛮煮
鶏の南蛮は、甘酢あんがかかった人気の料理だ。
Chicken nanban is a popular dish with sweet-and-sour sauce.
noun
kabuki pose (arm and leg thrust)
In kabuki, dance, and puppetry, a stylized movement where the right foot and right arm (or left foot and left arm) are thrust forward simultaneously. Specialized performing-arts term.
歌舞伎の南蛮の見得は、力強い印象を与える。
The nanban pose in kabuki creates a powerful impression.