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Issei

Issei

1 9.9
A Japanese person who moved to a new country as the first generation
  • noun
  • /ˈiːseɪ/
translation icon : Issei
  • Many Issei faced challenges adapting to life in a new country.

Examples

  • The traditions brought by the Issei continue to influence Japanese American culture today.

  • My grandfather was an Issei who came to America in the 1920s.

  • The Issei established many of the first Japanese businesses in California.

  • Many Isseis faced challenges when they arrived in the United States.

  • My grandfather was an issei who moved to the United States in the 1920s.

  • As an issei, she faced many challenges adapting to life in America after the war.

  • They hosted an event to celebrate the stories of issei immigrants in their community.

Synonyms

immigrant
vsIssei
768 2.5

A person who moves to another country to live there for a long time

is narrower, referring to a first generation person from a particular country

Surface Forms

Issei singular
Isseis plural

Etymology

Issei comes from Japanese parts ichi and sei, meaning 'one' and 'generation'. So it literally means 'first generation' and is used for the first Japanese people who moved to a new country.