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大日本 (だいにっぽん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
Great Japan ; the Empire of Japan
poetical term
Poetic or historical name for Japan, often used in pre-WWII contexts, nationalistic rhetoric, or literary works. Evokes a sense of grandeur or imperial identity.
彼かれ の 演えん 説ぜつ に は 「 大だい 日本にっぽん 」 と いう 言こと 葉ば が 何なん 度ど も 出で て き た 。
The phrase "Great Japan" appeared many times in his speech.
Written forms 大日本
だいにっぽん
Standard kanji form; the reading だいにっぽん is the most common and historically resonant pronunciation.
だいにほん
Alternate reading; less common but still encountered, especially in older or formal contexts.
だいにほん
Similar words 日本にほん The standard, neutral name for Japan. 大日本 is a poetic or historical variant with imperial connotations.
大和やまと Another classical name for Japan, often used in poetry or traditional contexts. 大日本 is more explicitly tied to the modern imperial state.
Etymology Compound of 大 (dai, 'great') + 日本 (Nippon/Nihon, 'Japan'). The reading だいにっぽん reflects the older, more formal pronunciation of 日本, while だいにほん uses the modern standard reading. The term gained prominence during the Meiji period as part of the imperial state's self-designation.
