Watching anime and spotting words that sound suspiciously English? Yep, that's exactly what it is! Those moments when anime characters say "スマホ" (sumaho) or grab something from a "コンビニ" (konbini) are the best examples of Japanese English words in action.
If you’re learning Japanese, these familiar-sounding words are basically free vocabulary points. I mean, why struggle with totally foreign concepts when you’ve already got a bunch of words you practically know?
In this guide, we'll break down Japanese loanwords (外来語, gairaigo) and Japanese-made English (和製英語, wasei-eigo) that'll give you an instant boost. You'll see how English words get Japan-ified, how some Japanese creations only sound English, and how knowing these terms can seriously speed up your language progress.
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Gairaigo (外来語) - Traditional Loanwords
Gairaigo (外来語) are foreign terms the Japanese have adopted and adapted to fit their own pronunciation system. The word itself explains what they are: "gai" (外) means "outside" or "foreign," "rai" (来) means "to come," and "go" (語) means "language" – literally "language coming from outside.” These words maintain their original meaning but get transformed to fit Japanese pronunciation and writing systems.
According to history, the first Japanese loanwords actually came from Portuguese traders and missionaries in the 16th century. Words like パン (pan/bread) and タバコ (tabako/tobacco) entered Japanese vocabulary during this early contact. Later, English, Dutch, French, and German words found their way into Japanese during the Edo and Meiji periods.
| English Word | Japanese Gairaigo | Japanese Writing | Notes on Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | Sumaho | スマホ (sumaho) | Shortened from "smartphone" |
| Internet | Intānetto | インターネット (intānetto) | Often shortened to "netto" |
| Game | Gēmu | ゲーム (gēmu) | Used for video games and games in general |
| Computer | Konpyūtā | コンピューター (konpyūtā) | Often shortened to "pasokon" |
| Coffee | Kōhī | コーヒー (kōhī) | Very common everyday word |
| Chocolate | Chokorēto | チョコレート (chokorēto) | Often shortened to "choko" |
| Ice Cream | Aisukurīmu | アイスクリーム (aisukurīmu) | Often shortened to "aisu" |
| Cake | Kēki | ケーキ (kēki) | Popular food item |
| T-shirt | Tī-shatsu | Tシャツ (tī-shatsu) | Common clothing term |
| Jeans | Jīnzu | ジーンズ (jīnzu) | Standard clothing term |
| Part-time job | Arubaito | アルバイト (arubaito) | From German "arbeit" (work) |
| Television | Terebi | テレビ (terebi) | Shortened form |
| Party | Pātī | パーティー (pātī) | Social gathering |
| Ticket | Chiketto | チケット (chiketto) | Used for admission tickets |
| Hotel | Hoteru | ホテル (hoteru) | Accommodation term |
Wasei-Eigo (和製英語) - Japanese-made English
Wasei-eigo (和製英語) literally means "Japanese-made English" and refers to words that look and sound like they're from English but were actually invented in Japan. Unlike gairaigo (which preserves original meanings), wasei-eigo creates entirely new terms or gives English words completely different meanings.
For English speakers learning Japanese, wasei-eigo is both a blessing and a trap. While these words might seem familiar, their meanings often differ completely from what you'd expect! When you hear what sounds like English in anime but the subtitles say something totally different, you've probably encountered wasei-eigo.
| Wasei-Eigo | Japanese Writing | Literal Meaning | Actual Japanese Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viking | バイキング (baikingu) | Viking (Norse explorer) | Buffet-style meal |
| Handle keeper | ハンドルキーパー (handoru kīpā) | One who keeps the handle | Designated driver |
| After service | アフターサービス (afutā sābisu) | Service after (purchase) | Customer support/warranty |
| One piece | ワンピース (wanpīsu) | A single piece | Dress |
| Salary man | サラリーマン (sararīman) | Man who earns a salary | Male office worker |
| Office Lady (OL) | オーエル (ō-eru) | Female office worker | Female office worker/secretary |
| Ice candy | アイスキャンディー (aisu kyandī) | Candy made of ice | Popsicle |
| Image change | イメチェン (imechen) | Change of image | Makeover |
| Note personal computer | ノートパソコン (nōto pasokon) | Notebook PC | Laptop computer |
| Gasoline stand | ガソリンスタンド (gasorin sutando) | Stand for gasoline | Gas station |
| Baby car | ベビーカー (bebīkā) | Car for babies | Baby stroller |
| Sharp pencil | シャープペンシル (shāpu penshiru) | Pencil that is sharp | Mechanical pencil |
| Fight! | ファイト! (faito!) | To fight/struggle | "Good luck!" or "You can do it!" |
| Skinship | スキンシップ (sukinshippu) | Relationship through skin | Physical contact showing affection |
| BGM | BGM (bījīemu) | Background music | Background music in daily settings |
Genine Torres
How Japanese Transforms English Words
When English words enter Japanese, they undergo four main transformations:
1. Phonetic Changes
Japanese has strict pronunciation rules that reshape English words:
- All words must end with a vowel (except "n") - "bus" becomes "バス" (basu)
- No consonant clusters - vowels get added between consonants
- No "L/R" distinction - both become the same Japanese sound
- No "si" sound - changes to "shi" (simple → shinpuru)
- No "ti" sound - changes to "chi" (ticket → chiketto)
- No "fi" sound - changes to "hi" (coffee → kōhī)
2. Katakana Writing
Foreign words appear in the angular katakana script (ジーンズ), visually marking them as non-Japanese terms.
3. Shortened Forms
Long words often get trimmed:
- Television → テレビ (terebi)
- Personal computer → パソコン (pasokon)
- Department store → デパート (depāto)
4. Meaning Shifts
Some words change meaning:
- マンション (manshon) means "apartment building," not "mansion"
- サービス (sābisu) often means "free" or "complimentary," not just "service"
These changes explain why you might hear what sounds like a five-syllable Japanese word (kurisumasu/クリスマス) when the original English has just two (Christmas)!
Japanese Words We Use In English
Just as English has influenced the Japanese language, the reverse is also true! Japanese words typically enter English vocabulary when a new concept, object, or practice is introduced to English speakers without an existing term. Sometimes, these words maintain their original meanings, while others shift slightly as they integrate into English.
| Japanese Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi | soo-shee | Vinegared rice with fish/vegetables |
| Emoji | eh-moh-jee | Digital pictograph for messaging |
| Karaoke | kah-rah-oh-kay | Singing along to backing tracks |
| Anime | ah-nee-may | Japanese animation |
| Manga | mahn-gah | Japanese comics |
| Karate | kah-rah-tay | Martial art ("empty hand") |
| Judo | joo-doh | Martial art ("gentle way") |
| Ninja | neen-jah | Covert agent/mercenary |
| Origami | oh-ree-gah-mee | Paper folding art |
| Bonsai | bone-sigh | Miniature tree cultivation |
| Haiku | high-koo | 5-7-5 syllable poetry |
| Tsunami | tsoo-nah-mee | Harbor wave (tidal wave) |
| Typhoon | tai-foon | Tropical cyclone |
| Futon | foo-ton | Foldable mattress/bedding |
| Tycoon | tai-koon | Wealthy business leader |
| Zen | zen | Meditative state/simplicity |
| Skosh | skohsh | Small amount (from 少し/sukoshi) |
| Honcho | hahn-cho | Person in charge (from 班長/hancho) |
| Kimono | kee-moh-noh | Traditional Japanese robe |
| Umami | oo-mah-mee | "Savory" taste sensation |
Japanese words continue to enter English as Japanese culture remains globally influential. Terms from anime and manga like "isekai" (different world), "senpai" (senior/mentor), and "kawaii" (cute) are increasingly recognized by English speakers, especially among younger generations.
Practical Tips for Learning Japanese with Japanglish
Want to turn your knowledge of Japanese loanwords and wasei-eigo into practical language gains? Here are some tips to supercharge your Japanese learning:
1. Start with Katakana
Learn the katakana writing system first! Since almost all gairaigo and wasei-eigo are written in katakana, mastering these 46 characters will immediately let you read and understand hundreds of familiar-sounding words.
2. Watch for Katakana in Anime
When watching subtitled anime, pay special attention whenever you see katakana in dual subtitles. There's a good chance it's a word you already know or can guess. Keep a notebook of these words to build your "free" vocabulary.
3. Use Mnemonics for Sound Changes
Remember the pronunciation patterns:
- "Strike" → "sutoraiku" (ストライク)
- "Bus" → "basu" (バス)
- "Coffee" → "kōhī" (コーヒー)
Once you know the patterns, you can often guess how an English word transforms in Japanese.
4. Be Cautious with Wasei-Eigo
Don't assume a familiar-looking word means what you think it does. When you encounter something that sounds like English, double-check its Japanese meaning to avoid misunderstandings.
5. Use Your Existing Knowledge
When building vocabulary, start with gairaigo words related to your interests. If you're into gaming, tech, or fashion, many Japanese terms will be English loanwords you already understand.
6. Practice Katakana-izing English Words
Try to convert English words into Japanese yourself. How would your name sound in Japanese? What about your favorite movie titles or hobbies? This practice helps internalize the phonetic rules.
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Take Your Japanese to the Next Level with Lingopie
Now that you understand how Japanese borrows and creates English-based words, you’ve got a head start on building your Japanese vocabulary. These "free" words form an excellent foundation, but they’re just the beginning of your language journey!
Ready to expand your Japanese skills even further? Lingopie offers the perfect way to learn through the anime and Japanese shows you already love. With Lingopie, you can:
- Watch authentic Japanese shows and anime with interactive subtitles
- Click any word to see its meaning and save it to your vocabulary list
- Practice with built-in flashcards based on the shows you watch
- Learn natural, conversational Japanese at your own pace
Japanglish words are your gateway to Japanese, but with Lingopie, you can move beyond these familiar terms to fully understand your favorite Japanese media. Start turning your anime-watching time into effective learning time today!
