Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate (1179).
Definition:
1) a top leader (as in politics)
2) a businessperson of exceptional wealth and power : magnate
They become tech tycoons by creating a media platform on which unpaid users do the work, for hours every day, and they sell ads against it.
— Mary McNamara, The Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2022
While tycoon now most often refers to a very wealthy and powerful businessperson, the word has had two other uses in English as well.
When the United States forced Japan to open full commercial and diplomatic relations with the West in 1854, the real ruler of the island nation was the shogun. Officially only a military deputy of the emperor, the shogun—a title shortened from seii-taishōgun, meaning “barbarian-subjugating generalissimo”—stood at the pinnacle of a feudal hierarchy based at Edo (later Tokyo) that effectively controlled the imperial court at Kyoto and ruled the country. Westerners in the initial period of diplomatic relations concluded that the shogun was a sort of secular emperor and the emperor something like the pope. Townsend Harris, the first American consul to Japan, got the idea that the shogun’s correct title was taikun, a Japanese borrowing from Middle Chinese elements equivalent to Beijing Chinese dà “great” and jūn “prince.” This word, in the spelling tycoon, became quite popular in America immediately before and during the Civil War as a colloquialism meaning “top leader” or “potentate.” (John Hay, President Lincoln’s personal secretary—and later Secretary of State to Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt—referred to Lincoln as «the Tycoon.») After fading from use for several decades tycoon was revived in 1920s journalism with the narrower sense “a businessman of exceptional wealth and power,” a usage that continues to be part of English.
Definition: a person who is in charge of other people : boss, big shot; also : hotshot
Head honcho Simon Cowell was back behind the judging table, having missed much of the 2020 contest after breaking his back in an e-bike crash.
— Michael Hogan, The Telegraph (London, Eng.), 16 Apr. 2022
Honcho dates back—in English—to at least 1945, as World War II was coming to a close. American prisoners learned the word while in captivity in Japan. In Japanese, the word translates as «squad leader,» from han, meaning «squad,» and chō, meaning «head, chief.» Not long after the war ended, in 1952, General Eisenhower himself was called the «chief honcho» in the Los Angeles Times. Often the word appears in the mildly redundant but pleasantly alliterative phrase head honcho.
MORE: Top Banana, Kingpin, and Other Nicknames for Important People
Definition: a fast-growing Asian vine (Pueraria lobata) of the legume family that is used for forage and erosion control and is often a serious weed in the southeastern United States
The kudzu vine, I’m told, grows about an inch an hour. That’s crazy fast. A single kudzu strand can stretch a hundred feet, which is probably twice as high as the trees it clings to.
— Robert Krulwich, National Geographic, 12 Apr. 2016
Anyone who’s lived in or visited the southeastern U.S. is familiar with kudzu. It’s that thick mass of green that can be spotted climbing up trees and overtaking abandoned buildings and anything else in its path. The plant is native to China and Japan, and was transplanted to North America to help prevent erosion, but it’s since become a bit of a menace. The word kudzu is still perfectly nice, though. It comes from Japanese kuzu, and has been in use in English since at least 1876.
Definition: a small amount : bit, smidgen —used adverbially with a
Here’s one way to look at it: Rick Nash, one of the most feared goal scorers of his generation, had 437 goals in his 16 years in the NHL, which means he got a skosh more than halfway toward Gretzky’s 894.
— Michael Arace, Marion Star (Marion, OH), 12 Mar. 2022
Skosh is another word introduced into English by U.S. soldiers, though this time those soldiers learned the word while stationed in Japan after World War II had ended—our earliest evidence of it in use in English is from 1952. Our word skosh comes from Japanese sukoshi, which is pronounced skoh-shee. Sukoshi is translated as «a tiny bit» or «a small amount,» making our word skosh identical in meaning to its parent word. The English word, however, is also sometimes used adverbially with a, as in «I’m fine, just a skosh tired.»
Definition: quick-cooking egg noodles usually served in a broth with bits of meat and vegetables
If you’ve never had real ramen before, please allow me a moment to describe the deliciousness. Picture fresh-cooked noodles, rich, savory broth, the perfect amount of spice, and if you want, a few slices of pork and a half-cooked egg.
— Geoffrey Morrison, Forbes, 30 May 2016
Early evidence dates the word ramen in English to 1962, which makes it only a few years younger than the word in Japanese—though the dish itself dates to the 19th century when Chinese workers brought it to Japan. First called Shina soba (Shina is a term for China now disfavored by many; soba refers to noodles made from buckwheat flour—though ramen seems always to have been typically made from wheat-based noodles), the dish was called rāmen in Japan starting in the post-World War II years, from the Chinese (Pekingese) la (meaning «pull») and mien meaning «noodles.» Ramen was also called Chūka soba for a time. (Chūka is a form of Chūgoku, another name for China.)
Definition: a usually cotton-filled mattress used on the floor or in a frame as a bed, couch, or chair
My good deed paid off a few days later when I went shopping online and bought a used futon with three legs (technically it has four legs but one was snapped off).
— Chuck Brown, Waterloo Region Record (Kitchener, Can.), 10 Nov. 2018
A staple of small apartments, dorms, and guest quarters everywhere, the versatile futon has been part of our home furnishing vernacular for a long time. The word itself has been used in English since the late 1800s. While English speakers think of a futon as something you sleep (or sit) on, not under, the word in Japanese can also refer to a thick comforter, though the word kakebuton is the more typical word in that context.
Definition: a puzzle in which several numbers are to be filled into a 9×9 grid of squares so that every row, every column, and every 3×3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9
A juror in Elizabeth Holmes’s criminal fraud trial was dismissed Friday after telling the judge she was playing Sudoku for around half of the trial days to help her stay focused, according to a court transcript.
— Sara Randazzo, Dow Jones Institutional News (New York, NY), 22 Oct. 2021
The first sudoku-type puzzle was called a «Number Place» puzzle, and it appeared in a 1979 New York-based puzzle magazine. Five years later, the puzzles started to appear in Japan where they were dubbed Sudoku, short for sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru, meaning “the numerals must remain single” (i.e., the digits can occur only once). Sudoku puzzles—and the word sudoku itself—didn’t start appearing in English publications until the early part of this century.
PLAY: Solve a New Sudoku Puzzle Every Day
Definition: a small, light vehicle with two wheels that is pulled by one person on foot or on a bicycle and that is used in some Asian countries
Fisher writes of an American psychology grad student attending a conference in Beijing. He had a mad crush on another student. He invited her for a rickshaw ride, knowing that novelty and danger can trigger the dopamine system—goosing the potential for falling in love.
—Mackenzie Dawson, The New York Post, 22 May 2016
The English word rickshaw, also spelled ricksha, originally had another syllable out front: jinricksha (also spelled jinrikisha). That word comes directly from Japanese, where jin means «man,» riki means «strength» or «power,» and sha means «carriage.» Rickshaws originated in Japan, where they were first used in the late 1800s. They’re now common in many parts of Asia as well as in a number of cities in the U.S.
Definition: quite satisfactory : fine
When you’re safe at «home» in the game of tag, it can be said that «everything’s hunky-dory»—since you can’t be tagged there. The first part of the word hunky-dory is derived from a homograph of hunk, a now-obsolete word of New York dialect meaning «goal» or «home» that has connections to tag.
Tag is sometimes rendered more complicated by certain places which are called «hunks» or «homes» being agreed upon where the players may find refuge when closely pursued.
—The Journal of American Folk-lore, 1891All was not well between Benitez, Tom Hicks and George Gillett 15 years ago and indeed, all might not be hunky-dory now between Salah and the club while his contract remains unresolved.
— Theo Squires, Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, Eng.), 10 Apr. 2022
Hunk is from Dutch honk, meaning «home,» and in the 19th century, both hunk and hunky evolved into adjectives meaning “all right” or «safe and sound.» How the adjective came to be partnered with dory is a mystery, but one theory is that it was brought to the States by sailors stationed in Japan. Supposedly there was a thoroughfare in 19th-century Japan that sailors frequented and described as being hunky, meaning «satisfactory.» The pronunciation of the Japanese word for «road» is similar to «dory,» and the sailors could have combined the English and Japanese terms as an allusion to the «satisfactory» street.
Though hunk and hunky were already established in America when hunky-dory made its appearance (remember, even old New York was once New Amsterdam), there is no sure evidence linking the term to American sailors in Japan. As of now, the term’s true origins remain a mystery.
Definition: a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes
In Japanese, the word anime is a shortening of animēshiyon, which is based on English animation, and refers to animated films and shows from around the world, not just from Japan. When English speakers adopted anime in the 1980s, however, it was as a name to refer to specifically Japanese animation and animation done in a similar style.
Our cosplay readers might be interested to know that in the past anime was the name for a cuirass (a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist) or its breastplate―a must-have for the medieval or fantasy warrior. The name is of French origin and is more than likely from Italian anima, meaning «life» or «soul»:
A’nima, the soule of mankind. Also the core of kernell of any fruit. Also a cuirace or brestplate, so called because it armeth the heart.
― John Florio, Queen Anna’s new world of words, or dictionarie of the Italian and English tongues, 1611
Definition: Japanese comic books and graphic novels
Japanese manga is a combination of man-, meaning «involuntary, aimless,» and -ga, «picture.» The first appearance of this word for «involuntary pictures»―or rather, illustrations made impulsively or randomly―is not known, but it seems to have been drawn up in the 18th century.
In the 19th century, it was popularized in its early form mangwa as the title of a collection of sketches by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. The word in the title is meant in its literal sense as the drawings were of random subjects and themes.
In the early-20th century, the Japanese term came to designate comic books, and about mid-century, manga was borrowed into English in that sense. As we see with anime, the Japanese use the term for comic books in general, while English speakers apply it to the meticulously-drawn Japanese comics.
Manga is huge among young Koreans; K-Pop is big in Japan; Korean films are hot news everywhere.
— Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, Aus.), 18 Apr. 2022
Definition: the Japanese art or process of folding squares of paper into representational shapes
Origami is a compound of two Japanese words, namely, ori, meaning «fold,» and kami, «paper.» The etymology of the word seems straightforward until closer inspection reveals a slight wrinkle: in Japanese, origami was already used to refer to a folded certificate or document of authentication. So why the change?
Earlier Japanese names for the art include orikata, orisue, and orimono. It only came to be called origami in the 20th century, leading some to suggest that its use is linked to Japan’s kindergarten movement in the late-19th century (proposing that the word was easier to spell for schoolchildren). Others point to the fact that the art form was flourishing in other countries and origami was chosen because its base words reflect names like English paper folding and German Papierfalten. Both speculations seem reasonable, but the motivation for the initial change is still unclear.
“WITH so many sporting events being cancelled they’re having to televise the World Origami Championships,” says reader Deborah Raven, who adds: “It’s on Paperview.”
— The Herald (Glasgow, Scot.), 14 Apr. 2020
Definition:
1) a Japanese gangster
2) an organized crime syndicate in Japan
The name yakuza originates from the Japanese card game oicho-kabu in which the goal is to draw three cards adding up to a value of 9. Like in baccarat, the last digit of any total over 10 is the value of the hand. Thus, the worst possible draw in the game is 8-9-3, which totals 20 and results in 0 for the play. In Japanese, the phonetic spelling of the draw is «ya» (8), «ku» (9), «za» (3). Associating this worst hand with the worst of society, people began referring to Japanese gangsters and racketeers as the yakuza.
At a news conference in Dublin, Greg Gatjanis, an associate director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, compared the Kinahan group to the Camorra in Italy, the yakuza in Japan and Los Zetas in Mexico.
— Kevin Draper, The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2022
Definition: a gymnospermous dioecious tree (Ginkgo biloba) of eastern China that is widely grown as an ornamental or shade tree and has fan-shaped leaves and foul-smelling yellowish fleshy seed coats — called also maidenhair tree
The ginkgo tree was formerly known as the maidenhair tree in reference to the tree’s distinctive fan-shaped leaves. The name ginkgo is from Japanese ginkyō, a word ultimately from Chinese words that translate as «silver apricot.» The second g in English ginkgo is from an erroneous transcription of ginkyō that has been perpetuated in scientific writing. Occasionally, you might encounter a misspelling of the misspelled ginkgo that misunderstands the word as gingko.
The one-mile loop around the lake immerses visitors in various gardens attracting a variety of butterflies and dragonflies, and arboretums with oak, elm, gingko, hickory and other trees.
— Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2017
The tree is also commonly known by its scientific name: ginkgo biloba. Biloba means «having two lobes,» in reference to the shape of the its leaves.
Tanka, from Japanese tan («short») and ka («song»), refers to an unrhymed Japanese verse of five lines containing five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables respectively.
The far meeting point
Of the sea and the pale sky
Trembles in the haze.
The warm sleeping dunes exhale
The remains of the summer.
— Hisashi Nakamura
Although its name translates as «short song,» it is longer than the more familiar haiku, which has three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively.
An old silent pond …
A frog jumps into the pond,
Splash! Silence again.
— Matsuo Basho
Another type of Japanese verse is senryu, a 3-line unrhymed poem that is structurally similar to haiku. However, whereas haiku tends to focus on nature and the seasons and usually has a serious tone, senryu tends toward irony and satire, especially about the human condition.
his favourite deli—
the bald man finds a hair
in his soup
—
Michael Dylan Welch
Definition: any of various small images, symbols, or icons used in text fields in electronic communication (as in text messages, e-mail, and social media) to express the emotional attitude of the writer, convey information succinctly, communicate a message playfully without using words, etc.
In the 1980s, emoticons—symbols formed using keyboard characters, like 
to indicate a joke or, you know, a wink—were crafted by creative typists. Building on their popularity, computer techs began designing images and symbols to graphically encapsulate the emotion of the emoticon. They became known as emojis, and people have been animating their electronic messages with them since the 1990s.
The name comes from Japanese moji, meaning «letter, character,» and e, based on ancient Japanese ye, meaning «picture, drawing» (not «emotion»).
The day after Ben received the Calvert Hall offer, Good Counsel and DeMatha emailed acceptance letters. A Calvert Hall coach, meanwhile, messaged Ben five eyeball emoji on Twitter.
— Kyle Melnick, The Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2022
PLAY: Take the Emoji Quiz
Definition: cold rice dressed with vinegar, formed into any of various shapes, and garnished especially with bits of raw seafood or vegetables
Gastronomes of Japanese food know that sushi—a blend of Japanese su («vinegar») and meshi («rice»)—refers to vinegared rice and that a sushi entree only includes raw fish if requested. But the pairing of sushi and raw fish is common, and for many unacquainted with Japanese cuisine, that is what sushi means, «raw fish.» Evidence of this colloquial misuse is not hard to find.
… sushi are tiny parcels of rice rolled up in seaweed that may or may not contain raw fish. «They’re more of a sandwich format,» says Stuart [Turner]. «I get so tired of people saying ‘erh, raw fish’ that I feel like having ‘sushi is not raw fish’ tattooed on my forehead.»
— The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 14 Sept. 2017I don’t eat sushi, but I eat cooked meat.
— Drake Bell, Seventeen, 21 Sept. 2008
For those looking for a Japanese term for «raw fish,» try sashimi, the Japanese name for just that. It is a combination of sashi («pierce») and mi («flesh»), and although sashimi is not pierced when prepared, it is sliced.
New Japanese Words
More
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Words of Japanese origin have entered many languages. Some words are simple transliterations of Japanese language words for concepts inherent to Japanese culture, but some are actually words of Chinese origin that were first exposed to English via Japan. The words on this page are an incomplete list of words which are listed in major English dictionaries and whose etymologies include Japanese. The reverse of this list can be found at List of gairaigo and wasei-eigo terms.
Arts[edit]
- anime
- アニメ
listen (help·info), hand-drawn and computer animation originating from or associated with Japan. - bokeh
- (from ぼけ boke), subjective aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of an image projected by a camera lens.
- bonsai
- 盆栽 listen (help·info), «tray gardening»; the art of tending miniature trees. Originated from Chinese 盆栽 penzai
- bunraku
- [1] 文楽, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, performed by puppeteers, chanters, and shamisen players.
- haiku
- 俳句 listen (help·info), a very short poem consisting of three lines of 5, 7, and 5 morae (not syllables as commonly thought) each; see also tanka below.
- ikebana
- 生花, flower arrangement.
- imari
- [2] 伊万里, Japanese porcelain wares (made in the town of Arita and exported from the port of Imari, particularly around the 17th century).
- kabuki
- [3] 歌舞伎, a traditional form of Japanese theatre; also any form of elaborate theatre, especially metaphorically.[4]
- kaiju
- 怪獣, Japanese genre of horror and science fiction films featuring giant monsters.
- kakemono
- [5] 掛け物, a vertical Japanese scroll, of ink-and-brush painting or calligraphy, that hangs in a recess on a wall inside a room.
- kakiemon
- [6] 柿右衛門, Japanese porcelain wares featuring enamel decoration (made in Arita, using the style developed in the 17th century by 酒井田 柿右衛門 Sakaida Kakiemon).
- karaoke
- カラオケ listen (help·info), (English IPA : [kæriːoʊkiː]) «empty orchestra»; entertainment where an amateur singer accompanies recorded music.
- kirigami
- 切り紙, similar to origami, but involves cutting in addition to folding.
- koto
- [7] 琴, a traditional stringed musical instrument from Japan, resembling a zither with 13 strings.
- makimono
- [8] 巻物, a horizontal Japanese hand scroll, of ink-and-brush painting or calligraphy
- manga
- まんが or 漫画 listen (help·info), (English IPA : [mæŋgɜː]) Japanese comics; refers to comics in general in Japanese
- netsuke
- [9] 根付, a toggle used to tie the sash of a kimono also to attach small items such as inro and kinchaku: sometimes beautifully carved.
- noh
- [10] 能 nō, a major form of classical Japanese music drama
- origami
- 折り紙, artistic paper folding. (British English IPA : [ɒrɪgɑːmiː])
- otaku
- オタク or おたく or ヲタク, a geeky enthusiast, especially of anime and manga.
- senryu
- 川柳, a form of short poetry similar to haiku.
- shamisen
- [11] 三味線, a three-stringed musical instrument, played with a plectrum.
- sumi-e
- 墨絵, a general term for painting with a brush and black ink.
- tanka
- 短歌, «short poetry»; an older form of Japanese poetry than haiku, of the form 5-7-5-7-7 morae (not syllables; see also haiku above).
- tankōbon
- 単行本, «independent/standalone book»; term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series or corpus. In modern Japan, though, it is most often used in reference to individual volumes of a single manga, as opposed to magazines.
- ukiyo-e
- 浮世絵, a type of woodblock print art or painting. (English IPA : [uːkiːoʊ.iː])
- waka
- 和歌, «Japanese poetry»; a word used primarily to describe tanka (see above) written between the 9th and 19th centuries.
- wabi-sabi
- 侘び寂び, a world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.
Business[edit]
- kaizen
- [12] 改善, literally «change for the better.» In practice, a Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency, etc. Initially made famous by the 1986 book of same name.
- kanban
- [13] 看板, literally a «signal» or «sign» signals a cycle of replenishment for production and materials and maintains an orderly and efficient flow of materials throughout the entire manufacturing process.
- karoshi
- 過労死, «death by overwork, stress death»
- keiretsu
- 系列, a set of companies with interlocking business relationships and shareholdings.
- Poka-yoke
- «mistake-proofing» or «inadvertent error prevention».
- tycoon
- 大君 («taikun»), «great prince» or «high commander», later applied to wealthy business leaders.
- zaibatsu
- 財閥, a «money clique» or conglomerate
Clothing[edit]
- geta
- [14] 下駄, a pair of Japanese raised wooden clogs worn with traditional Japanese garments, such as the kimono
- inro
- [15] 印籠 inrō, a case for holding small objects, often worn hanging from the obi; (traditional Japanese clothes didn’t have pockets)
- kimono
- 着物, a traditional full-length robe-like garment still worn by women, men and children. (English IPA : [kɪmoʊnoʊ])
- obi
- [16] 帯, a wide belt that is tied in the back to secure a kimono
- yukata
- 浴衣, a casual or simplified summer style of kimono
- zori
- [17] 草履 zōri, sandals made from rice straw or lacquered wood, worn with a kimono for formal occasions
Culinary[edit]
- adzuki,[18] azuki bean
- [19] あずき or 小豆 listen (help·info), type of bean grown in eastern Asia and the Himalayas, used in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines, usually served sweet
- arame
- 荒布, a type of edible seaweed
- bento
- 弁当 bentō, a single-portion takeout meal, box lunch
- daikon
- 大根, a kind of white radish
- dashi
- だし or 出汁, a simple soup stock considered fundamental to Japanese cooking
- edamame
- 枝豆, soybeans boiled whole in the green pod and served with salt
- enokitake, enoki mushroom
- えのきたけ or 榎茸, long, thin white mushrooms, used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines
- fugu
- 河豚 or フグ, the meat of the toxic pufferfish, must be prepared by specially trained chefs by law. Also means pufferfish itself.
- ginkgo
- 銀杏 or ぎんなん ginnan, a gymnospermous tree (Ginkgo biloba) of eastern China that is widely grown as an ornamental or shade tree and has fan-shaped leaves and yellow fruit (the word is derived from 17th Century Japanese 銀杏 ginkyō)
- gyoza
- ギョーザ or 餃子 gyōza, Japanese name for Chinese dumplings, jiaozi (jiǎozi); may also be called pot stickers in English if they are fried
- hibachi
- 火鉢, a small, portable charcoal grill; used in North America to refer to a teppan or a small shichirin-like aluminium or cast iron grill
- hijiki
- ひじき or 鹿尾菜, a type of edible seaweed commonly found on rocky coastlines
- katsu
- カツ, Japanese term for cutlets in general; in English, typically refers to the dish chicken katsu, a type of breaded chicken cutlet served with rice and sauce.[20] (English IPA : [kæt.suː])
- katsuo
- 鰹, a skipjack tuna
- katsuobushi
- かつおぶし or 鰹節, dried and smoked skipjack tuna (katsuo), which is shaved and then used in dashi
- koji
- 麴 or 麹 kōji, a fungus that is the active agent in the fermentation processes, of producing miso and soy sauce from soybeans, and of producing sake and shōchū from rice.
- kombu
- 昆布, dried kelp, which can be eaten or used as dashi
- matsutake
- 松茸, a type of edible mushroom, with a magnificently spicy aroma similar to cinnamon, considered to be a great delicacy and the most coveted mushroom in Japan
- mirin
- 味醂, an essential condiment of the Japanese cuisine, a kind of rice wine similar to sake with a slightly sweet taste
- miso
- 味噌, a thick paste made by fermenting soybeans with salt
- mizuna
- 水菜, an edible plant, with flavor akin to the mustard plant
- mochi
- 餅, sticky rice cake
- napa cabbage
- 菜っ葉, Chinese cabbage, (in Japan, it is a generic term for leaf vegetables.)
- nashi (pear)
- 梨, a species of pear native to eastern Asia, which are juicy, round and shaped like apples. Often simply referred to as «asian pear(s)».
- natto
- 納豆, traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans
- nori
- 海苔, food products created from the seaweed laver by a shredding and rack-drying process that resembles papermaking.
- panko
- パン粉, Japanese white bread flakes. Panko is made from bread without crusts, thus it has a crisper, airier texture than most types of breading found in Western cuisine.
- ramen
- ラーメン rāmen, the Japanese version of Chinese noodle soup, not limited to the instant variety. (British English IPA : [rɑːmen])
- sake
- 酒 listen (help·info),nihon-shu(日本酒), an alcoholic beverage, brewed from rice. In Japanese, the word commonly refers to alcoholic drinks in general
- sashimi
- 刺身, a Japanese delicacy primarily consisting of the freshest raw seafoods thinly sliced and served with only a dipping sauce and wasabi.
- satsuma
- (from 薩摩 Satsuma, an ancient province of Japan), a type of mandarin orange (mikan) native to Japan
- shabu shabu
- しゃぶしゃぶ, a meal where each person cooks their own food in their own cooking pot from an assortment of raw ingredients
- shiitake mushroom
- しいたけ or 椎茸 listen (help·info), an edible mushroom typically cultivated on the shii tree
- shoyu
- 醬油 or 醤油shōyu, Japanese soy sauce
- soba
- 蕎麦 or ソバ, thin brown buckwheat noodles
- soy
- from shoyu 醤油
- sukiyaki
- すき焼き or スキヤキ, a dish in the nabemono-style (one-pot), consisting of thinly sliced beef, tofu, konnyaku noodles, negi, Chinese cabbage (bok choy), and enoki mushrooms among others
- surimi
- すり身 or 擂り身, processed meat made from cheaper white-fleshed fish, to imitate the look of a more expensive meat such as crab legs
- sushi
- 鮨 or 鮓 or 寿司, a dish consisting of vinegared rice combined with other ingredients such as raw fish, raw or cooked shellfish, or vegetables
- takoyaki
- たこ焼, たこ焼き, or 章魚焼き, literally fried or baked octopus
- tamari
- 溜まり or たまり, liquid obtained by pressing soybeans
- tempura
- てんぷら or 天麩羅, classic Japanese deep fried batter-dipped seafood and vegetables. The word may be from Portuguese tempêro/seasoning.[21]
- teppanyaki
- 鉄板焼き, a type of Japanese cuisine that uses a hot iron griddle (teppan) to cook food
- teriyaki
- 照り焼き or テリヤキ, a cooking technique where fish or meat is being broiled/grilled in a sweet soy sauce marinade; in Japanese, it is used exclusively refer to poultry cooked in this manner.
- tofu
- 豆腐 tōfu listen (help·info) bean curd. Although the word is originally Chinese, it entered English via Japanese.
- udo
- ウド or 独活, an edible plant found on the slopes of wooded embankments, also known as the Japanese Spikenard
- udon
- うどん or 饂飩, a type of thick wheat-based noodle
- umami
- 旨味 or うま味, the taste sensation produced by some condiments such as monosodium glutamate; a basic flavor in sea weed (昆布 kombu)
- umeboshi
- 梅干, pickled ume
- wakame
- ワカメ or 若布, a type of edible kelp, often used in miso soup (Japan), and salads
- wasabi
- わさび or 山葵, a strongly flavoured green condiment also known as Japanese horseradish
- yakitori
- 焼き鳥 or 焼鳥, a type of chicken kebab.
Government and politics[edit]
- daimyō
- [22] 大名 daimyō, «great names»; the most powerful Japanese feudal rulers from the 12th century to the 19th century
- genro
- [23] 元老 genrō, retired elder Japanese statesmen, who served as informal advisors to the emperor, during the Meiji and Taisho eras
- mikado
- [24] 帝, a dated term for «emperor»; specifically for the Emperor of Japan
- shogun
- [25] 将軍 shōgun listen (help·info), the title of the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era
- tenno
- [26] 天皇, a term for the Emperor of Japan
Martial arts[edit]
- aikido
- [27] 合気道 aikidō
- dojo
- 道場 dōjō
- judo
- [28] 柔道 jūdō, refers to the Olympic sport.
- jujutsu
- [29] 柔術 jūjutsu, alternately spelt, through mutation, as jiu-jitsu in English.
- karate
- [30] 空手 a fighting style which includes the use of hands and feet to strike the opponent, without any weapon, and is also a popular international sports event. Literally means «empty handed».
- kendo
- [31] 剣道 kendō
- sumo
- [32] 相撲 sumō
Religion[edit]
- bonze
- [33] (from 凡僧 bonsō), a Buddhist monk
- koan
- [34] 公案 kōan, a paradoxical story or statement used during meditation in Zen Buddhism. Inspired the hacker koan tradition among computing circles.
- satori
- [35] 悟り, enlightenment in Zen Buddhism
- shinto
- [36] 神道 shintō, the native religion of Japan
- torii
- [37] 鳥居, traditional Japanese gates commonly found at the gateway to Shinto shrines
- zen
- 禅, from Chinese 禪 (Mandarin Chán), originally from ध्यान Sanskrit Dhyāna / Pali झान Jhāna, a branch of Mahāyāna Buddhism.
Other[edit]
- ahegao
- アヘ顔, a facial expression in pornographic animation and manga usually depicted when someone is having an orgasm
- akita
- 秋田 (from 秋田犬, akitainu or akitaken), the Akita Inu, a large breed of Japanese dog
- baka
- (馬鹿, ばか in hiragana, or バカ in katakana) means «fool», «silly», «stupid», or «foolish» and is the most frequently used pejorative term in the Japanese language.[citation needed]
- bukkake
- ぶっかけ, a sex act portrayed in pornographic films, in which several men ejaculate on a woman, or another man. Note that in Japanese it has a broader meaning of «to pour» or «to splash».
- domoic acid
- (from ドウモイ doumoi in the Tokunoshima dialect of Japanese: a type of red algae)
- emoji
- 絵文字, ideograms used in electronic messages and webpages.
- futon
- (from 布団, a flat mattress with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton, wool, or synthetic batting that makes up a Japanese bed.)
- gaijin
- 外人, lit. outsider/alien is a Japanese word for foreigners and non-Japanese. The word is typically used to refer to foreigners of non-Asian ethnicities.
- geisha
- 芸者, traditional Japanese artist-entertainers
- hentai
- 変態 listen (help·info), Western usage: pornographic Anime, usually either Japanese in origin or drawn in a Japanese style; Japanese usage: metamorphosis, transformation, abnormality, or perversion
- hikikomori
- ひきこもり or 引き籠もり, a psychological condition where the affected individual lives an extremely socially isolated lifestyle, a decision of preference not by default, (compare NEET)
Look up hancho or honcho in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- honcho
- [38] 班長 hanchō, head, chief
- kamikaze
- [39] 神風, the literal meaning is «divine wind»; used to refer to a Japanese soldier in World War II who crashed an airplane into a target, committing suicide; also refers to the airplane used in the suicide crash
- katana
- (from かたな literally sword) A Japanese sword that has been forged using traditional Japanese methods. This is referred to as 日本刀 (nihontō) in Japanese.
- katsura (tree)
- 桂, large deciduous trees, native to eastern Asia
- kawaii
- 可愛い, cute and/or lovely. (English IPA ː [kəwaɪ])
- koi
- 鯉, Western usage: ornamental varieties of the common carp (but in Japan this just means «carp» – the ornamental variety are called «nishikigoi» 錦鯉)
- kudzu
- (from 葛 or クズ kuzu) A climbing vine found as an invasive species in the south-eastern US, which is native to Japan and south-eastern China
- moxa
- もぐさ or 艾 mogusa, mugwort or cotton wool or other combustible material, burned on skin during moxibustion
- moxibustion
- (from moxa + (com)bustion), an oriental medicine therapy which involves the burning of moxa (see above)
- ninja
- Japanese covert agent of the feudal era
- rickshaw
- (from 人力車 jinrikisha/ninryokusha), a human-pulled wagon
- sayonara
- 左様なら or さようなら sayōnara the Japanese term for «goodbye»
- samurai
- 侍 or 士, Japanese knight
- sensei
- 先生, the Japanese term for «master», «teacher» or «doctor». It can be used to refer to any authority figure, such as a schoolteacher, professor, priest, or politician.
- senpai
- 先輩, the Japanese term for «upperclassman» or «senior».
- shiatsu
- 指圧, a form of massage
- shiba inu
- 柴犬, the smallest of the six original and distinct Japanese breeds of dog
- shinro
- しんろ, a logic puzzle related to sudoku
- skosh
- [40] A small amount, from 少し or すこし sukoshi, meaning «a bit» or «a few»
- sudoku
- 数独 sūdoku listen (help·info), a number placement puzzle, also known as Number Place in the United States.
- tanuki
- 狸, the Japanese name for the animal, Nyctereutes procyonoides, known as a Japanese raccoon dog in English
- tsunami
- 津波, literally «harbor wave»; Large wave caused by earthquakes or other underwater disturbances. (English IPA ː [(t)suːnɑːmiː])
- tsuresari
- 連れ去り, abducting or kidnapping a child by the parent while defying the rights of the other parent.
- urushiol
- (from 漆 or うるし urushi, a plant that gives a skin rash on contact) a chemical substance found in poison-ivy, used to make lacquer-ware
References[edit]
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ «It’s time for pundits to stop using the word «kabuki.»«. 14 April 2010.
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ [1] (Retrieved on October 21, 2013)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ «Chicken katsu curry». The Independent. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
- ^ «Home : Oxford English Dictionary».
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on April 30, 2009)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on October 7, 2011)
- ^ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Retrieved on July 21, 2009)
See also[edit]
- Glossary of anime and manga
- Japanese words of English origin
- Cuisine of Japan
- Category:Japanese food preparation utensils
- Etiquette in Japan
- Japanese honorifics
- Aizuchi
- Japanese pronouns
We often assume that languages are unique and different from each other, and this (false) assumption leads to our fear of learning new languages. We overlook the fact that there are several ‘Borrowed Words’ in every language, which makes learning a new language easier and a fun thing to do. If you already speak English fluently and interested in learning Japanese, you will be glad to know that there are several words in English that have been borrowed from the Japanese language.
Here we take a look at 10 English words of Japanese origin.
1) Tsunami
In English, it means a long, high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. The word ‘Tsunami’ comes from the two kanji words 津 (tsu) meaning “harbor” and 波 (nami), meaning “wave”.
2) Sake
In English, it means, for the purpose of or for the interest of in order to achieve something. However, in Japanese, it means something completely different. In Japanese sake 酒 (さけ) literally means “alcohol.”
3) Typhoon
In English, it means a tropical storm. The word ‘Typhoon’ comes from the two kanji words 台 (たい) means “table” or “pedestal,” and 風 (ふう) means “wind.”
4) Origami
In English ‘Origami’ folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. While in Japanese 折 (おり) means “to fold,” and 紙 (がみ) is “papers”.
5) Zen
According to the Cambridge dictionary, the exact English meaning of the word Zen is “not to worry”. While the Kanji Meaning: 禅 (ぜん) literally means “silent meditation”.
6) Emoji
In English “emoji” is a small digital image used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication. The Kanji Meaning: 絵 (え) means “picture” and 文字 (もじ) is “character” or “letter”.
7) Futon
This word is originally a Japanese word, which has the same English meaning as well. In English, it means a type of mattress that can be rolled up or a bed or seat made from such a mattress. Kanji Meaning: 布 (ふ) means “linen” or “cloth” and 団 (とん) is “group”.
Rickshaw
RickshawPeople often think the word Rickshaw came from China, however it was first used in Japan in 1869, which literally meant “human-powered vehicle.” In English there is a slight change in meaning, it means a light two-wheeled passenger vehicle drawn by one or more people.
9) Tofu
English meaning of Tofu is, a soft white substance made from soya beans. While the Kanji Meaning: 豆 (とう) is “beans” and 腐 (ふ) means “ferment” or “rot”.
10) Haiku
It’s a Japanese way of writing a poem of seventeen syllables. Kanji Meaning: 俳 (はい) means “poem”. The meaning of the word doesn’t change in English.
Now that you know some of the most popular English words borrowed from Japanese, why not increase your understanding of doing business in Japan with our Japanese Business Etiquette Guide.
The following two tabs change content below.
- Bio
- Latest Posts
By
Last updated:
December 20, 2022
I wrote a haiku about shamisen music while cuddled up in my futon eating teriyaki chicken.
Japanese words are everywhere in the English language, and being able to identify them enlightens you to a base knowledge of Japanese that you didn’t even know you had.
For instance, did you know the word tsunami, sometimes called a “tidal wave,” is of Japanese origin?
Here, we’ll introduce you to 32 words we use in English that you may not know come from Japanese. The original Japanese word, usually written in kanji, is included for each loanword (plus hiragana in parentheses, for easy reading).
It’s interesting to see how logical the original character’s form usually is, which makes the words altogether easier to remember.
Some Japanese pronunciation tips are also included, as the pronunciation of the original Japanese words can sometimes differ from that of the adapted English versions.
You already know the meanings and how to say them—add the full Japanese knowledge, and you’ll be 32 words closer to mastering this difficult but fascinating language!
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
32 Cool Japanese Loanwords We All Use in English
Japan tends to be on the dangerous side when it comes to the weather, so it isn’t surprising that these first two words came from Japanese and were incorporated into English.
1. Typhoon
Japanese: 台風 (たいふう)
Kanji Meaning: 台 (たい) means “table” or “pedestal,” and 風 (ふう) means “wind.”
Typhoons are common during late summer and early autumn in Japan, often causing minor damages in the southern Okinawa islands and disrupting transportation in large cities.
2. Tsunami
Japanese: 津波 (つなみ)
Kanji Meaning: 津 (つ) is “harbor” or “port,” and 波 (なみ) means “wave.”
Pronunciation Tip: In Japanese, the t is pronounced, unlike in English.
Unfortunately, Japan has had more than its fair share of tsunamis (or “tidal waves”). We commonly use the Japanese word to describe these devastating natural disasters in English.
Now we’ll steer away from these dangerous events and into something more fun. A lot of popular recreational activities actually originated in Japan. Get a faceful of these next words!
3. Karaoke
Japanese: カラオケ (からおけ)
Kanji Meaning: As seen above, “karaoke” is now usually written in katakana in Japanese, such as on signs and buildings. However, the word originally came from the kanji 空 (から), meaning “empty,” and the katakana オケ, coming from the English “orchestra.” So, if you think about it, “karaoke” is an English word adopted from Japanese, but which originally had influences from English—or from Greek, if you want to get really linguistically fancy. Phew!
Pronunciation Tip: Forget everything you know about the English pronunciation of this word, as I’m afraid we’ve butchered it. Follow the katakana to the letter (literally).
Karaoke is an entirely different experience in Japan, and can be enjoyed alone, as a small group of friends or, similar to Western style, with loud and drunken strangers.
4. Sake
Japanese: 酒 (さけ)
Kanji Meaning: 酒 (さけ) literally means “alcohol.” Add お at the beginning of the kanji (お酒) to describe any alcoholic drink.
Aah, sake. The businessman’s best friend and an essential addition to your “new experiences” to try in Japan. This rich, strong rice wine is often described in English with its original Japanese word.
5. Manga
Japanese: 漫画 (まんが)
Kanji Meaning: 漫 (まん) means “random” or “uncontrolled,” and 画 (が) is “picture.”
Manga, or Japanese comics, are extremely popular in Japan and beyond. Shelves of these visual stories can be seen not only in libraries and bookshops, but also in restaurants and convenience stores.
6. Anime
Japanese: アニメ
Okay, this one might be cheating a little, as the word “anime” technically comes from the English word “animation”—that’s why it appears in katakana, the writing system of choice for foreign words in Japanese—but it wouldn’t have felt right not to include it. “Anime” is the Japanese word for “cartoon,” and more specifically, Japanese-style animation.
7. Otaku
Japanese: お宅 (おたく)
Kanji Meaning: 宅 (たく) literally means “house,” and perhaps refers to the tendency “otaku” have to spend a lot of time indoors.
In both English and Japanese, “otaku” is often used to describe someone who spends a lot of their free time playing video games, reading manga and watching anime, and who takes little or no interest in more social activities. It can also sometimes be used by fans of anime and manga to describe others with similar interests.
8. Emoji
Japanese: 絵文字 (えもじ)
Kanji Meaning: 絵 (え) means “picture” and 文字 (もじ) is “character” or “letter.”
You know what these are! Emoji are those little pictures you can use on your smartphone or computer to communicate an emotion or message. This actually originally came from Japanese, literally meaning “pictograph.”
9. Origami
Japanese: 折り紙 (おりがみ)
Kanji Meaning: 折 (おり) means “to fold,” and 紙 (がみ) is “paper.”
This old Japanese art literally means “paper folding” and is hugely important in July’s Star Festival in Japan.
10. Shiatsu
Japanese: 指圧 (しあつ)
Kanji Meaning: 指 (し) means “finger” and 圧 (あつ) is “pressure.”
You may have seen the word “shiatsu” outside massage parlors—it’s a Japanese style of body massage that supposedly supports the body’s natural defenses, helping people to heal and balance themselves in mind, body and spirit.
Aah, that was relaxing—but now we’re moving on to the delights of Japanese food! Whet your appetite with these next loanwords.
11. Sushi
Japanese: 寿司 (すし)
Kanji Meaning: 寿 (す) means “congratulations” or “longevity,” and 司 (し) is “official.” If you think about it, it’s quite sweet that the kanji for sushi is “official congratulations!”
There was no reason to rename this famous Japanese dish. Sushi is made from rice often wrapped with seaweed, and a filling such as fish or a type of raw or pickled vegetable.
12. Tofu
Japanese: 豆腐 (とうふ)
Kanji Meaning: 豆 (とう) is “beans” and 腐 (ふ) means “ferment” or “rot.” It may sound a bit gross, but the Japanese have cleverly mastered several dishes involving fermenting various foods.
Pronunciation Tip: In Japanese, the “tou” sound is longer than the “fu,” which is very short.
Tofu is made from soybeans and is a delicious addition to many sweet and savory Japanese dishes—as well as dishes in other countries. In Japan, there are still many professional tofu makers.
13. Ramen
Japanese: らーめん, ラーメン
Ramen is actually a Chinese dish, but has been adapted in Japan and is a long-standing Japanese word. Ramen is also used in English to mean many different kinds of noodle-based dishes.
14. Wasabi
Japanese: 山葵 (わさび)
Kanji meaning: 山 means “mountain” and 葵 is “hollyhock.” But 山葵 is ateji, which is kanji used semantically without regard to the readings.
Whether you can get it in your home country or not, most people have heard of wasabi—spicy Japanese horseradish often added to sushi and other fish-based dishes.
15. Teriyaki
Japanese: 照り焼き (てりやき)
Kanji Meaning: 照り (てり) means “shine” and 焼き (やき) means “grilled.” Perhaps this kanji was given to it because the sauce glaze makes the chicken look like it’s “shining.”
Teriyaki is a delicious grilled style of chicken mixed in a special sauce, giving it its unique flavor. Teriyaki chicken is often served outside Japanese restaurants, meaning that some people may be surprised the word is of Japanese origin. The surprise might hit especially hard if you’ve been using teriyaki sauce in your kitchen all these years, without knowing its true origin!
After this food vocabulary, we should get a bit of exercise in. Thanks to movies like “The Karate Kid,” Japanese martial arts have become famous worldwide. How many of these words did you know originally came from Japanese? Take a look.
16. Karate
Japanese: 空手 (からて)
Kanji Meaning: 空 (から) means “empty” and 手 (て) is “hand.” Karate, therefore, is literally battling with no weapons except your bare hands.
Pronunciation Tip: All of the syllables contain the same amount of stress, unlike in English where we say “kah-RAH-tee.”
Karate is an offensive martial art with roots in Chinese fighting, involving complicated attacks using hands, feet and elbows.
17. Judo
Japanese: 柔道 (じゅうどう)
Kanji Meaning: 柔 (じゅう) means “gentle” or”soft,” and 道 (どう) is “way” or “road.”
Pronunciation Tip: Long “juu” and long “dou” sounds are used in Japanese.
The difference between karate and judo is that judo is more defensive—it involves taking advantage of your opponent’s strength and weight.
18. Sumo
Japanese: 相撲 (すもう)
Kanji Meaning: 相 (す) means “together” or “mutual,” and 撲 (もう) means “hit” or “beat.”
Pronunciation Tip: In Japanese, you’ll want to say a very short “su” and long “mou.” It sounds more like “smou.“
Sumo is a very unique Japanese martial art which involves enormous wrestlers trying to force each other out of the ring. You can watch traditional Sumo matches in Japan; nowadays, most Sumo champions tend to be from Mongolia.
19. Senpai
Japanese: 先輩 (せんぱい)
Kanji Meaning: 先 (せん) means “before” or “ahead,” and 輩 (ぱい) means “comrade” or “companions.” It’s the perfect kanji for this word—literally “companions ahead of me.”
The word “senpai” is becoming increasingly popular in English, and it’s on its way to being added to the Oxford Dictionary (though some people aren’t too happy about it). “Senpai” in Japanese means someone higher-ranking than you, usually in school, such as a fellow student in a higher grade. In English, it has a similar meaning, often jokingly referring to people the speaker sees as superior, and therefore not noticing their meek and humble selves.
20. Dojo
Japanese: 道場 (どうじょう)
Kanji Meaning: 道 (どう) means “way” or “road,” and 場 (じょう) is “location” or “place.” It’s the place where you are on the road to improving your skills.
Pronunciation Tip: Long “dou” and long “jou.”
The word “dojo” might be familiar to fans of martial arts; it refers to the place where karate, judo and other similar sports are usually practiced.
21. Sensei
Japanese: 先生 (せんせい)
Kanji Meaning: 先 (せん) remember this kanji? It also came up in “senpai.” It means “before” or “ahead.” 生 (せい) means “born”—your teacher is (usually) born before you.
Although in English, “sensei” usually just refers to a martial arts instructor, “sensei” means any type of teacher in Japanese, whether it be for a public school, a cram school or for sports. 先生 is also an honorific suffix that’s commonly used for doctors, politicians, attorneys, etc.
Now we’ll move on to some words that were specifically adopted by English to describe some elements of Japanese culture.
22. Samurai
Japanese: 侍 (さむらい)
Kanji Meaning: If anything can tell you how long Samurai have been around, it’s the fact that this word has an entire kanji for itself. 侍 (さむらい) means “to serve” as well as “warrior.”
The Samurai are ancient Japanese warriors with a unique and quite beautiful culture of their own. Real Samurai are extinct now, but were so well-known that the word is recognized in English.
23. Ninja
Japanese: 忍者 (にんじゃ)
Kanji Meaning: 忍 (にん) means “spy” or “sneak,” and 者 (じゃ) means “person.”
Ninjas are Japanese assassins, experts in stealth and subtle kills. In English, the term “ninja” can also be slang to mean someone who’s extremely quick and unseen; for example:
A: “How did you get here so fast?”
B: “I’m a ninja.”
24. Kimono
Japanese: 着物 (きもの)
Kanji Meaning: 着 (き) means “to wear” and 物 (もの) means “thing” or “goods.” It makes sense, then, that kimono literally means “something to wear.”
A kimono is a Japanese dress traditionally worn by female entertainers (geisha) and nowadays worn at festivals and graduation ceremonies.
25. Yukata
Japanese: 浴衣 (ゆかた)
Kanji Meaning: 浴衣 is another ateji, but 浴 means “bathe” or “bask,” and 衣 means “clothing.” Perhaps this is because yukatas are worn to summer festivals, and therefore one can wear them and bask in the beautiful clothes they’re wearing.
A yukata is very similar to a kimono, but it tends to involve less layers, and therefore is usually worn in summer.
26. Zen
Japanese: 禅 (ぜん)
Kanji Meaning: 禅 (ぜん) literally means “silent meditation.”
Zen is a branch of Buddhism that emphasizes self-control and meditation.
27. Shamisen
Japanese: 三味線 (しゃみせん)
Kanji Meaning: 三 (しゃ) is “three,” 味 (み) is “flavor” and 線 (せん) means “line” or, in this case, “string.”
A shamisen is a stringed musical instrument often featured in traditional Japanese theater.
28. Haiku
Japanese: 俳句 (はいく)
Kanji Meaning: 俳 (はい) means “poem” or “actor,” and 句 (く) means “clause” or “passage.”
You may have studied haiku in school; they’re traditional Japanese poems. The many stanza and syllable rules make them unique in the world of poetry.
29. Futon
Japanese: 布団 (ふとん)
Kanji Meaning: 布 (ふ) means “linen” or “cloth” and 団 (とん) is “group.”
Pronunciation Tip: Say a very short “u”; it sounds more like “fton” in Japanese.
Have you ever slept in a futon? They can either be very comfortable or very uncomfortable, depending on what kind it is and how many layers are involved. Futons have been a traditional bed in Japan for centuries, therefore it’s unsurprising that English speakers borrowed this word to describe them. However, we also use this word in English to describe couches that also have fold-out beds.
30. Koi
Japanese: 鯉 (こい)
Kanji Meaning: 鯉 (こい) just means “carp”—no surprises there!
In English, we tend to say “koi carp,” but in Japanese, it’s just “koi.” Koi-shaped streamers are used in Japanese festivals such as Children’s Day in May and are largely featured in Japanese decorations year-round.
31. Yakuza
Japanese: ヤクザ (やくざ)
Kanji Meaning: The name yakuza comes from “八九三” (八/8=ya, 九/9=ku, 三/3=za). It originates from a card game. In this game, a player’s score is decided by adding the scores on several cards and using only the smallest digit. Because 8+9+3=20=0 points, “893” means “no points.” So this meaning later changed to “useless people” or “gambling people.”
Most people have heard of the Japanese Mafia thanks to movies such as “Kill Bill,” “Battles Without Honor and Humanity” and “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Today, the yakuza are still very active and powerful in areas such as Tokyo.
32. Tatami
Japanese: 畳 (たたみ)
Kanji Meaning: 畳 (たたみ) means “tatami mat” but can also mean to “shut” or “put away.”
Tatami mats are a comfortable addition to many Japanese homes and usually recognizable to foreign eyes. In English, we tend to say the phrase “tatami mat,” but in Japanese it’s just “tatami.”
With these English-Japanese words you already know, you’ve now instantly gotten a plethora of Japanese vocabulary stored away in your brain—no studying required.
Japanese is a rewarding language to learn, and there are hundreds of ways to easily study it. This just happens to be one of the easiest ways out there.
Keep exploring loanwords, as well as other connections between Japanese and English, as you advance with your new language. You won’t regret it.
Good luck!
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
This article provides a list of common Japanese words that have different meanings from what you may have already learnt in Japanese classes!
うるさい
urusai
As you may know, うるさい in Japanese usually means “loud/noisy”. However, when it is used as “~にうるさい”, it means “be particular/picky/not easily satisfied about ~”. Its rationale is that if you harp on about your specific preferences about something, other people may find you a bit annoying and noisy (but it’s not a negative word at all!)
私はラーメンの味（あじ）にうるさい
I’m particular about the taste of ramen.
ヒモ
himo
ヒモ/ひも usually means “a string”, but also means “an indolent man who financially depends on his girlfriend excessively like a parasite and is reluctant to work by himself”, e.g. living in her house without paying the rent, or even asking her for an allowance to spend on gambling. This is a derogatory term for men who exploit and abuse their girlfriends financially, and therefore shouldn’t be used to describe those who stay home to manage their household and take care of their children instead of working outside.
私の彼氏を甘（あま）やかし過（す）ぎて、ヒモになってしまった。
I spoiled my boyfriend too much and he has become a ヒモ (a person who depends on me financially).
さくら
sakura
As you know, さくら (桜 in kanji) means “cherry blossom”. Oddly enough, however, when written in katakana (i.e. サクラ), it can also mean “a shill”: a person who pretends to be a real customer and promotes certain products or services. Note that サクラ can also mean “cherry blossom” depending on the context.
この口コミサイトにはサクラがたくさんいる
There are lots of shills on this review site
切れる
kireru
切れる is a basic Japanese intransitive verb that usually means “be cut” or “snap”, as in “ヒモが切れた” meaning “The string has been cut/has snapped”. However, it also means “run out” in a different context, as in “トイレットペーパーが切れているのに気がついた” meaning “I’ve just realised that the toilet paper has run out”. Furthermore, if it is used in the expression “~ が切れる” in which a noun denoting a date or period is put before が, it means “(something) passes the period”. For instance, “賞味期限（しょうみきげん）が切れた牛乳（ぎゅうにゅう）” means “The milk that has passed its best-before date.” and “チケットの有効期限（ゆうこうきげん）が切れた” means “The ticket has passed its valid date/has expired”. In a casual conversation, 切れる also means “get very angry/furious”, but in this case, it is more often written in hiragana and katakana, as in “キレる”, e.g. “彼はキレたら怖(こわ)い” means “He is very scary when he gets furious”.
See also
逆ギレ (gyaku gire) Meaning “Reversed Anger” in Japanese
滑る
suberu
The Japanese word “滑（すべ）る” usually means “to slip”, as in “滑って転(ころ)んだ” meaning “(I) slipped and fell”. But it is also used to describe when someone tries to tell a joke but nobody finds it funny, introducing a quiet and awkward moment.
(e.g.)
彼女を笑（わら）わせようとしたら完全（かんぜん）にすべった
I tried to make her laugh but completely “slipped”.
* One of my friends once gave me a useful tip on how to deal with the situation when you’ve accidentally “slipped”: look at something far away, pretending that you are distracted by it and don’t notice that your joke completely failed!
Besides, 滑る also figuratively means “to fail school entrance exams”. Therefore, when it snows in Japan, students preparing for those kinds of exams (= 受験生) pay full attention to their steps to avoid slipping on ice.
なめる
nameru
なめる usually means ‘to lick”, as in “自分（じぶん）の指（ゆび）をなめる” (lick my fingers), but it also means “underestimate/mock/look down on something or someone”, as in “彼の力（ちから）をなめるなよ” meaning “Don’t underestimate his power”. Well, actually there isn’t a direct relation between these meanings, but it may help you memorise them if you picture a person who mocks someone by sticking his/her tongue out, like Albert Einstein’s iconic photo (albeit this is probably not what he intended.)
くさい
kusai
くさい usually means “smelly/stinky”, but it also means “(someone’s act is) cheesy/corny/too much”, which means, in other words, their act is, well, sh*tty (and thus “smelly”). Not only a clichéd act, it also describes a corny line that makes you cringe a bit, like “君を愛するために僕は生まれてきたんだ”, meaning “I was born to love you”.
Incidentally, “嘘（うそ）くさい” is another idiomatic expression that literally means “(something) smells like a lie” and actually means “fishy”.
くさい演技（えんぎ）はやめて、本当（ほんとう）のこと私（わたし）に言（い）って？
Please stop doing your “smelly” act, and tell me the truth?
「君（きみ）以外（いがい）何（なに）もいらない」？よくそんなくさいセリフ言えるね!
“I don’t need anything but you”? How dare you can say such a “smelly” line!
この本（ほん）に書（か）いていることはなんか嘘くさい
What is written in this book is a bit fishy.
嫌い
kirai
嫌い usually means “dislike”, as in りんごが嫌い means “I dislike an apple”. In a formal context, however, it is also used as a noun meaning “a bad tendency”, as in “彼（かれ）は話（はなし）を誇張（こちょう）するきらいがある” meaning “He has a bad tendency to exaggerate his stories”. In the latter case, the word is often written in hiragana to avoid confusion.
引く
hiku
引く (ひく, hiku) usually means “draw/pull”, as in “ロープを引く (pull a rope)”. However, it is also used as a slang term meaning “be put off by something/someone”, i.e. when you feel like drawing back because you find something/someone cringeworthy and off-putting. For instance, you would 引く (hiku) when someone says some disgusting sexual jokes.
Refer to the previous post for related words and pronunciation of 引く:
引く (hiku) Meaning “Be Put off” as Japanese Slang
ブーメラン
būmeran
ブーメラン is a loanword from “boomerang” in English. However, as a slang term, it also refers to a hypocritical criticism that is thrown at others but also applies to the person who makes the criticism (i.e. a “look-who-is-talking” statement.). It’s called ‘boomerang’ because, after being thrown at others, it comes back to the criticiser like a boomerang.
More detailed explanations at:
Japanese Slang ブーメラン (Boomerang) Meaning “Hypocritical”