An American walks into a bar...but it's a Japanese man that walks into a bar

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donnach

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I wouldn't say a Japanese walks into a bar. Why is an American walks into a bar okay?

Thanks!
 

EnglishFix

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"A Japanese walks into a bar."

That sounds OK to me.
 

billmcd

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I wouldn't say a Japanese walks into a bar. Why not? Although it may sound unnatural/awkward, it's correct. If you prefer, you could say "A Japanese guy/person......." Why is an American walks into a bar okay?

Thanks!

b.
 

Nichalia

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That's interesting... I wonder if it has to do with the -an vs -ese ending. I feel more comfortable saying 'A(n) American / Iranian / Canadian / Indian / Russian / Korean / etc. walks into a bar' than saying 'A(n) Chinese / Japanese / Portuguese / etc. walks into a bar.'
 

donnach

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I don't understand your reply.
 

donnach

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billmcd's reply, that is.
 

konungursvia

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You're right, the -an ending sounds more solidly a noun, while the -ese ending sounds like an adjective, which when used as a noun, strikes the ear as slightly odd. But it's correct, as long as another more established form doesn't coexist (e.g. Frenchman).
 
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