Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person born in the United States to parents who emigrated from Japan: A "nisei" is a member of the second generation of Japanese immigrants in the United States, specifically a U.S. citizen by birth whose parents were Japanese-born immigrants (issei).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Many nisei served bravely in the United States military during World War II.
  • Her grandparents were issei, but she is nisei, born and raised in California.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and sociological contexts to discuss the experiences of Japanese Americans, particularly regarding internment during World War II, cultural identity, and generational differences.
  • The nisei generation often navigated a complex identity, caught between Japanese traditions and American culture.

Variants and Related Words

• Issei (noun): A first-generation Japanese immigrant to the United States.
  • The issei worked hard to establish a life in a new country.
• Sansei (noun): A member of the third generation, a U.S.-born child of nisei parents.
  • The sansei generation is typically more assimilated into American society.

Synonyms

• Second-generation Japanese American: This is a descriptive synonym for "nisei."

Notes on Meaning

• The word "nisei" is specific to the Japanese American experience and is not generally used for other ethnic groups. It carries significant historical and cultural weight.
• It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., ).

Noun

1. a person born in the United States of parents who emigrated from Japan