Nisei

American  

[nee-sey, nee-sey] / ˈni seɪ, niˈseɪ /

Or nisei

noun

plural

Nisei

1. a person of Japanese descent, born and educated in the U.S. or Canada.

---

Nisei British  

/ ˈniːseɪ /

noun

1. a native-born citizen of the United States or Canada whose parents were Japanese immigrants

---

Nisei Cultural  

1. Persons whose parents were born in Japan but who were themselves born outside Japan. Many Nisei were moved by force in the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.

---

Etymology

Origin of Nisei

1940–45, < Japanese: literally, second generation; earlier ni-seĩ < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese èr two, second + shēng birth

Example Sentences

“I understand you’ve got to protect the border,” said Manuel Cunha Jr., president of Nisei Farmers League, which represents agricultural employers and their workers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2025

Nisei Veterans Committee, dedicated to preserving and honoring Japanese American legacies, has held a Memorial Day service since 1964.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2023

In 2018, at 100, she served as choreographer for the Los Angeles Nisei Week Parade, continuing a tradition of Nisei Week involvement that showcased her students’ performances for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2023

Among the 89 new and continuing picks on the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in California are Orsa & Winston in downtown Los Angeles, Nisei in San Francisco and Bell’s in Los Alamos.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2022

She also had a crush on a tall, very handsome and popular Nisei boy who sometimes sang and danced in the talent shows.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston