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

[donnach]

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

Thanks!

 

[EnglishFix]

"A Japanese walks into a bar."

That sounds OK to me.

 

[billmcd]

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]

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

 

[donnach]

I don't understand your reply.

 

[donnach]

billmcd's reply, that is.

 

[konungursvia]

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).