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Acronyms, contractions and abbreviations in Japanese

Nihongo

Per Kevin

Acronyms, contractions, acronyms, and abbreviations are part of our lives, thinking about this, in this article we will talk about the acronyms used in Japan. Both acronyms using Roman letters and abbreviations that use Japanese ideograms.

The Japanese love to abbreviate words, during a conversation it is already common to eat some parts of the sentence. There are thousands of word abbreviations. Generally names of industries, groups and terminologies are contractions or abbreviations.

Acronyms, contractions and abbreviations in Japanese

Contractions and abbreviations in the Japanese language

Words in Japanese are written with characters that represent syllables (morae), instead of phonemes as in English. Traditionally when a word or phrase is abbreviated, it usually preserves a few syllables and is easily recognizable.

In some cases, the abbreviated word uses a different reading of the ideograms that make up the word. Sometimes ideograms from the first and second words are used to form one. As in the case of Tokyo Daigaku [東京大学] becoming Todai [東大].

If you go to jisho.org and search using the tag #abbr; you will come across various words that also serve as abbreviations of phrases or other more complex and specific words. The Japanese really love to abbreviate words.

akiba秋葉Akihabara秋葉原
bukatsu部活bukatsudō部活動after-school club
denwa 電話keitaidenwa携帯電話Mobile phone
keitai携帯keitaidenwa携帯電話Mobile phone
kōkō高校kōtōgakkō高等学校High School
kokuren国連Kokusai Rengō国際連合The United Nations
makkuマックmakudonarudoマクドナルドMc. Donald
mukkuムックmagazine + bookマガジン + ブック
nikkei日経Nihon Keizai Shinbun日本経済新聞Japan Economic Times
nōdai農大Tōkyō Nōgyō Daigaku東京農業大学Agricultural University of Tokyo
nyūkan入管Nyūkoku Kanrikyoku入国管理局Immigration Office
odakyū小田急Odawara Kyūkō Dentetsu小田原急行電鉄Odakyū Electric Railway
ondai音大ongaku daigaku音楽大学University of Music
pokémonポケモンpoketto monsutāポケットモンスターPocket Monster
purikuraプリクラpurinto kurabu プリントクラブ‘Print Club’ photo-sticker machine
shāshinシャー芯shāpupen no shinシャープペンの芯chumbo de uma lapiseira
sutabaスタバsutaabakkusuスターバックスStarbucks
Tochō都庁Tōkyō-to Chōsha東京都庁舎Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tōdai東大Tōkyō Daigaku東京大学University of Tokyo
Acronyms, contractions and abbreviations in Japanese

Loans from other languages in Japanese

As mentioned, it is very common to abbreviate words, especially when they are borrowed from other languages. For example, the animated series Pretty Cure was marketed under the abbreviated name of four characters "purikyua" [プリキュア].

The names in the table will be kept in English so that you understand that Japanese adapted that word from English. Fortunately, it is easy to understand the meaning of both.

Animationanimeアニメanimēshonアニメーション
Air conditioningeakonエアコンea kondishonāエアコンディショナー
Computerpasokonパソコンpāsonaru konpyūtāパーソナルコンピューター
Remote controlrimokonリモコンrimōto kontorōrāリモートコントローラー
Digital camerasdejikameデジカメdejitaru kameraデジタルカメラ
Email addressmeadoメアドmeeruadoresuメールアドレス
family computer (Nintendo)famikonファミコンfamirī konpyūtāファミリーコンピューター
American footballamefutoアメフトamerikan futtobōruアメリカン・フットボール
Love Hotelrabuhoラブホrabu hoteruラブホテル
Convenience storekonbiniコンビニkonbiniensu sutoaコンビニエンス・ストア
Department storedepātoデパートdepātomento sutoaデパートメント・ストア
Professional wrestlingpuroresuプロレスpurofesshonaru resuringuプロフェッショナル・レスリング
Family restaurantfamiresuファミレスfamirī resutoranファミリーレストラン
Sandwichsandoサンドsandouichiサンドウィッチ
Acronyms, contractions and abbreviations in Japanese

Japanese Acronyms and Abbreviations with Roman letters

The Japanese also use Roman letters in everyday life. Many of the acronyms for places, computing, and organizations have their abbreviations in Roman letters. Below is a complete list of Japanese acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations with our letters:

  • ABC - Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
  • ANA - All Nippon Airways
  • bj - Basketball Japan
  • BL - Boys Love
  • BS - Broadcast Satellite
  • FE - Fuji Electric
  • GEOS - Global Education Opportunities and Services
  • HAT Kobe - Happy Active Town Kobe.
  • JAC - Japan Air Commuter, a subsidiary of JAL
  • JH - Japan Highway Public Corporation
  • JLCFSA - Japan Long Course Ferry Service Association
  • JPY - Iene japonês a moeda do Japão
  • JVC - Victor electronics
  • M - Masochism
  • MLIT - Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  • MRI - Mitsubishi Research Institute
  • MUFG - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
  • N'EX - Narita Express
  • NAOJ - National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
  • NEC - Nippon Electric Company
  • NFAJ - National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ)
  • NG - no good
  • NGK - Nagoya-based spark plug company
  • NHK - (Nihon Hohsoh Kyokai) Japan's state TV & rádio broadcaster
  • NHK - Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai [日本放送協会]
  • Nikkanren - Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association
  • Nikkeiren - Japan Federation of Employers' Associations
  • NKP - New Komeito Party
  • NME - National Museum of Ethnology
  • NNN - Nippon News Network
  • NPA - National Police Agency
  • NPB - Nippon Professional Baseball
  • NRU - National Railway Workers' Union ("Kokuro")
  • NSK - Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
  • NTA - National Tax Agency
  • NTT - Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
  • OA - office automation
  • OMG - Oh my God!
  • OPAM - Oita Prefectural Art Museum
  • SMBC - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • TUJ - Temple University Japan
  • TVO - TV Osaka
  • VG - Video Game

Below is a list that needs explanations of the acronyms:

  • VTR - video tele-replay - Displaying pre-recorded images
  • OP - opening - Anime and drama opening
  • SEALDs - Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy. - Student Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy.
  • KIX - Kansai International Airport. - Kansai International Airport.
  • JAEA - Japan Atomic Energy Agency. - Japan Atomic Energy Agency.
  • JAXA - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. - Agência de Exploração Aeroespacial do Japão.
  • HIS - Japan travel agency. - Japan travel agency.
  • JTB - Japan Travel Bureau. - Japan travel agency.
  • JAMSTEC - Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. - Japan Agency for Land-Marine Science and Technology.
  • JC - joshi chūgakusei [女子中学生] - high school student
  • JK - Josei Kosei - High school student associated with "paid dating" and the child prostitution industry
  • OVA - original video animation - original video animation (also uses acronym OAV)
  • AJJ - Anthropology of Japan in Japan. - Anthropology of Japan in Japan.
  • JYHA - Japan Youth Hostel Association. - Japan Youth Hostel Association.
  • JRA - Japan Racing Association. - Japan Racing Association.
  • JETAA - JET Alumni Association. - JET Alumni Association.
  • JAMA - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
  • JFA - Japan Football Association. - Japan Soccer Association.
  • JAIA - Japan Automobile Importers Association. - Japan Auto Importers Association.
  • JUCE - Japan Universities Association For Computer Education. - Japan University Association for Computer Education.
  • JALT - Japan Association of Language Teachers. - Japanese Association of Language Teachers.
  • JACET - Japan Association of College English Teachers. - Japanese Association of Teachers of English for University Students.
  • JAFRA - Japan Association For Railway Advertising. - Japan Railway Advertising Association.
  • JAZA - Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. - Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
  • JMA - Japan Medical Association. - Japan Medical Association.
  • AV - audio-visual - audio-visual
  • GSI - Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. - Japan Geospatial Information Authority.
  • DBJ - Development Bank of Japan. - Japan Development Bank.
  • JBIC - Japan Bank for International Cooperation. - Bank of Japan for International Cooperation.
  • BOJ - Bank of Japan. - Bank of Japan.
  • TSE - Tokyo Stock Exchange. - Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • AY - Atama Yowai - Weak head, ineptitude, malice and senselessness
  • SUICA - Super Urban Intelligence Card. - Super Urban Intelligence Card.
  • ICOCA - IC Operating Card. - IC operation card.
  • IC card - - contactless smart card
  • TIC - Tourist Information Center. - Tourist Information Center.
  • CDEX - Center for Deep Earth Research. - Deep Earth Research Center.
  • CiRA - Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University. - iPS Cell Research and Application Center, Kyoto University.
  • TKSC - Tsukuba Space Center. - Tsukuba Space Center.
  • IdcN - International Design Center Nagoya (IdcN). - International Design Center Nagoya (IdcN).
  • WFC - World Friendship Center in Hiroshima. - World Friendship Center in Hiroshima.
  • ETC - Electronic Toll Collection. - Electronic toll collection.
  • Chuden - Chubu Electric Power Company. - Chubu Electric Power Company.
  • KEPCO - Kansai Electric Power Company. - Kansai Electric Power Company.
  • TEPCO - Tokyo Electric Power Company. - Tokyo Electric Power Company.
  • Kyuuden - Kyushu Electric Power Company. - Kyushu Electric Power Company.
  • IDC - International Digital Communications. - International Digital Communications.
  • JTUC - Japanese Trade Union Confederation. - Japanese Trade Union Confederation.
  • SCJ - Science Council of Japan. - Japan Science Council.
  • JSC - Japan Sports Council. - Japan Sports Council.
  • JESCO - Japan Environment Safety Corporation - Japan Environmental Security Corporation
  • JFC - Japan Finance Corporation. - Japan Finance Corporation.
  • JP - Japan Post. - Japan Post.
  • JRC - Japan Red Cross. - Japan Red Cross.
  • UMA - unidentified mysterious animal - Coined in connection with unidentified flying object
  • PS - police station - Police station
  • Sigla - Significado - Description
  • EV - elevator - elevator
  • KDDI - Japanese telecommunications company. - Japanese telecommunications company.
  • KK - Kabushiki Kaisha company, firm. - Kabushiki Kaisha company.
  • ED - Ending - Anime or series ending
  • SS - service station - service station
  • JARE - Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. - Japanese Research Expedition in Antarctica.
  • JAE - Japan Adult Expo. - Expo for adults in Japan.
  • CEATEC - Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies. - Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies.
  • JAF - Japan Automobile Federation. - Japan Automobile Federation.
  • Keidanren - Japan Federation of Economic Organizations. - Federation of Economic Organizations of Japan.
  • Zennoren - All-Japan Federation of Management Organization. - Japan Federation of Management Organization.
  • GW - Golden Week - Japanese holiday
  • TQB - tei kyū bi [定休日] - Regular holiday or fixed day off
  • JR - Japan Railways. - Japan Railways.
  • JASDF - Japan Air Self-Defense Force. - Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
  • JSDF - Japan Self-Defense Forces - Japan Self-Defense Forces (another acronym SDF)
  • SDF - Self-Defence Forces. Japan's de-facto armed forces. - Self-defense forces. Japan's actual armed forces.
  • JK - jōshikiteki ni kangaete [常識的に考えて] - Internet slang meaning "think logically"
  • MHFG - Mizuho Financial Group. - Mizuho Financial Group.
  • SMFG - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.
  • PL Kyodan - Church of Perfect Liberty. - Church of Perfect Liberty.
  • KY - kūki yomenai [空気読めない] - unable to read the air; refers to someone who cannot read a social situation.
  • JABI - Japan American Business Initiatives. - American business initiatives in Japan.
  • CRIEPI - Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry. - Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry.
  • AIST - National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. - National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
  • NII - National Institute of Informatics. - National Institute of Informatics.
  • JAE - Japan Aviation Electronics. - Japan Electronic Aviation.
  • ADV - Adventure game (AVG) - adventure game
  • STG - shooting game - shooting game
  • RPG - role-playing game - RPG games
  • CL - Central League (baseball). - Central League (baseball).
  • PL - Pacific League (baseball). - Pacific League (baseball).
  • JAL - Japan Airlines. - Japan Airlines.
  • SL - Steam Locomotive. - Steam train.
  • CM - Commercial Message. - Commercial message.
  • GFJ - Goods From Japan. - Goods from Japan.
  • MC - Master of ceremonies - Master of ceremonies
  • METI - Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. - Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry.
  • MEXT - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology. - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
  • MIC - Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. - Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
  • MITI - Ministry of International Trade & Industry (now known as METI). - Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now known as MEI).
  • BGM - Background Music. - Background music.
  • LDP - the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan - the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
  • JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization. - Japan Foreign Trade Organization.
  • JASSO - Japan Student Services Organization. - Japan Student Services Organization.
  • JNTO - Japan National Tourist Organization. - Japan National Tourism Organization.
  • HP - home page - home page (website)
  • JCP - Japan Communist Party. - Communist Party of Japan.
  • DPJ - Democratic Party of Japan. - Japan Democratic Party.
  • SDP - Social Democratic Party. - Social Democratic Party.
  • GSJ - Geological Survey of Japan. - Geological Survey of Japan.
  • JET - Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. - Japan Exchange and Education Program (JET).
  • AU - Mobile phone branch of KDDI. - Mobile branch of KDDI.
  • FNN - Fuji News Network (TV) - Fuji News Network (TV)
  • w - warau [笑う] - laugh out loud
  • S - sadism - sadism
  • LDK - Living Dining Kitchen - Dining room; type of house where the kitchen is merged with the living room
  • CS - Communication Satellite - communication satellite
  • OL - office lady - office lady (a worker)
  • SNS - Social networking service, social website - Social networking service, social website
  • JA - Japan Agricultural Cooperatives. - Acronym for Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan.
  • JP or (JPN) - Japão - Universal acronyms of the country
  • H - Hentai / Ecchi - It means obscene and erotic
  • FSJ - Folklore Society of Japan. - Japan Folklore Society.
  • PSJ - Primate Society of Japan - Japan Primate Society
  • PSJ - Photographic Society of Japan. - Japan Photographic Society.
  • JASCA - Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology. - Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology.
  • JSC - Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. - Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.
  • SD - super déformé (super deformed) - super warped (super warped)
  • GS - Gasoline Stand. - Gasoline support.
  • JT - Japan Tobacco. - Japanese tobacco
  • TPO - Time, Place, Occasion - Time, Place, Occasion
  • TCAT - Tokyo City Air Terminal. - Tokyo City Air Terminal.
  • YCAT - Yokohama City Air Terminal. - Yokohama City Air Terminal.
  • JLPT - Japan Language Proficiency Test. - Japan Language Proficiency Test.
  • JGB - Japanese Government Bonds. - Japanese government bonds.
  • CTV - Chukyo Television Broadcasting. - Chukyo television broadcast.
  • N'EX - Narita Express train. - Narita express train.
  • OSV - original sound version (video game soundtrack) - video game soundtrack
  • UCC - Ueshima Coffee Company. - Ueshima Coffee Company.
  • LO - Last Order. - Last wish.
  • TUC - Tokyo Union Circulation - A union made up of many ex-cops involved in the pachinko industry.
  • APU - Ritsumeikan Asian Pacific University. - Ritsumeikan University of Asia Pacific.
  • OG - old girl - old lady (former student), club member, teammate, employee, etc.
  • OB - old boy - old man (former student), club member, teammate, employee, etc.
  • AV - Adult Video. - adult video
  • MV - music video - music video
  • PV - promotional video - promotional video (usually music)
  • DV - Domestic Violence - Domestic violence
  • DT - dōtei [童貞] - Virgin
  • CV - Character Voice. - Character voice (voice actor).
  • JAWS - Japan Anthropology Workshop. - Workshop on Anthropology of Japan.
  • NJS - Nihon Jitensha Shinkōkai - 日本自転車振興会
  • 3P - 3 people Japanese slang for threesome

Videos about Japanese Abbreviations

To finish the article, let's leave some videos about abbreviations, acronyms and contractions in the Japanese language:

Information about the Anime: Magical Princess Minky Momo vs. Magical Angel Creamy Mami
Information about the Anime: Maken-Ki!