Wasei-Eigo – English in the Japanese Language

Wasei-eigo [和製英語] is the English made in Japan, that is, they are Japanese pseudo-Anglicisms. Simply put, wasei-eigo is the general term for words based on foreign languages that have been employed in the Japanese language.

Japanese English

Generally words that are borrowed from English or other languages are written in katakana. beyond the title wasei-eigo these words can also be called Japanese English [ジャパニーズ イングリッシュ].

Some Japanese words like karaoke [カラオケ] mix Japanese words with foreign words. In this case, the word void was mixed kara [空] with the word orchestra [オーケストラ] joining like this kara + Okay written in katakana.

The English used in Japanese is often dismissed as “misuse of foreign languages”. However, Japanese English is not an English vocabulary, but a Japanese vocabulary, and it is natural that it cannot be understood by non-Japanese speakers.

Also, there is a Japanese-only usage in English usage in Japan and there may be a discrepancy in the meaning of words with English speakers. Just because you know English doesn't mean you understand the wasei-eigo.

Wasei-eigo - English in the Japanese language

False Cognates in Japanese Wasei-Eigo

It is easy for us to confuse or find false cognates in the words wasei-eigo, since they do not always inherit the same meaning as in the West. We even wrote an article about false cognates in Japanese of different languages, including portuguese.

Sometimes an English word that is a verb can become a noun in Japanese or vice versa. In fact small-scale deviations in meaning are found in almost all foreign words.

Because of the differences between languages and their grammar, it is inevitable that the meanings of foreign words used in Japanese are different from the original words. Some English words were used by another country, culture or even by the Japanese.

Wasei-eigo - English in the Japanese language

Loanword - Words from the Foreigner

Another term besides Wasei-eigo to refer to words of foreign origin is gairaigo [外来語]. These are all words used in Japan of foreign origin written in katakana. They can originate from English, Portuguese, French and other languages.

Loanword literally means borrowed words other than its development in ancient Japan. These words ended up in Japanese because of new things that appeared in the westernization of the country.

Just like in English when we say download, internet, hotdog and hamburger. These words have a very common use and some can even become a suru verb as in the case of kisusuru [キスする] which means to kiss.

Wasei-eigo - English in the Japanese language

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Engrish - Japanese people using English wrong

There is a difference between changing the meaning of English words used in Japanese and spelling English words literally wrong. This happens in Japan the same way it happens in Brazil and other non-English speaking countries.

Engrish is slang used by Asian language speakers to ridicule English with incorrect use of word expressions and spelling. The coined word "Engrish" is a variation of the spelling of "English" and was originally coined to ridicule the confusion between the English "R" and "L" sounds that are characteristic of Japanese speakers...

It can also refer to the intentional or careless misuse of English words used in advertisements aimed at foreigners. We even made an article showing some of the images with 15 examples of engrish.

Wasei-eigo - English in the Japanese language

Wasei-Eigo Word List

Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
JapaneseRomajiEnglishTranslation
〜アップ~appuup(grade)update or improve (something).
〜ティック or 〜⁠チック~tikku or ~chikkuthe "-tic" suffix, from (roman)tic, (drama)ticromantic and dramatic.
アフターサービスafutāsābisuafter servicecustomer service, user support, service
アイドルidolídolo(teenager) idol, pop star
アイスクリームaisu kurīmuice creamIce cream
アメフトamefutelove(rican) foot(ball)American football
アメリカンドッグamerikandoggguamerican dogcorn dog
アニメanimeanima(tion)animation.
アニソンanisonani(me) + son(g)anime songs
アパートaptapart(ment)apartment
アポapoappo(intment)commitment
アールブイārubuirvtruck, van, suv, vehicle
アウトコースautokōsuout courseout
バーゲンbāgenbargainbargain
バイクbaikubikea motorcycle
バックミラーbakkumirāback mirrorrearview mirror
バックナンバーbakkunanbāback numberlate number
バックネットbakkunettoback neta retreat (in baseball)
バリアフリーbariafurībarrier freeaccessible facilities for people with disabilities
バターbatābutterbutter
バッティングbattingubatting or buttinghits
ベビーカーbabybaby carbaby carriage
ベッドタウンbeddotaunbed towndormitories
ビジネスホテルbijinesuhoterubusiness hotelbusiness hotels
ビルbeerbuild(ding)construction
ボールペンbōrupenball(point) penballpoint pen
ブックカバーbukkukabābook coverbook cover
ブラセラ ou ブルセラburasera or buruserabloo(mer) sailorfetish for panties / sailor clothes.
ブレザーburezāblazerblazer, or a Japanese school uniform
ブルマburumabloomerswomen's physical education clothing
チェリーボーイcherībōicherry boya virgin man
チアガールchiagārucheer girlcheerleading girl
チアマンchiamancheer mancheerleading boy
チアリーダーchiarīdācheerleadercheerleader
チアリーディングchiarīdingucheerleadingbe a cheerleader
チケットchikettoticketticket / ticket
ダブルダブるdaburudoubledouble
ダンプカーdanpukādump cardump truck
ダストボックスdasutobokkusudust boxdust can / garbage can
ダウンロードオンリーメンバーdaunrōdoonrīmenbādownload only memberdownload for members only
デッドボールdeddobōrudead balldead ball
デコレーションケーキdekorēshonkēkidecoration cakecake decoration
デパートdepartmentdepartment(ment store)Department store
デリバリーヘルスderibarīherusudelivery healthprostitute, call girl
デスクdesukudesktable
ドクター ストップdokutāsutoppudoctor stopmedical stop
ドンマイdonmaidon('t) mi(nd)I do not care
ドライバーdoraibādriverdriver
ドライブインdoraibuindrive indrive in
ドラマdramadramatv drama / soap opera / series
ドリフトdorifutodriftdrift / drift
エアコンeakair condicionadoair conditioning
aveēbui or ēvuiadult video / video
エッチecchih (first letter of hentai base)dirty naughty sex
エンストensutoen(gine) sto(p)engine stop
エレベーターerebētāelevatorelevator
エロeroEros)erotic
エログeroguero(tic) + (b)logerotic blog
エログロeroguroero(tic) gro(tesque)grotesque porn
エールēruyellto scream
llceruerushīacronym for "long life coolant"acronym for "long live soda"
エスカレーターesukarētāescalatorescalator
ファイトfaito - fightfightfight
ファミコンfamikon, famicomfamily(ly) com(puter)nintendo
ファンタジックfantajikkufantasy + -icFantastic
フェッチfecchifetchsearch
~フェチclosedfeti(sh)fetish
フォアボールfoabōrufour ballfour ball
フライpiercefryfry
フライpierceflyflying ball
フライドポテトfuraidopotetefried potatoFrench fries
フライング(スタート)furaingu(sutāto)flying (start)start of flight
フリーダイアル or フリーダイヤルfurīdaiaru or furīdaiyarufree dialtoll free
フリーサイズfurīsaizufree sizefree size
フロントfuriousfront (desk)reception
フロントガラスfurontogarasufront glassfront glass
ガードマンgādomanguard mansecurity
ガソリンスタンドgasorinsuatinggasoline standgas station
ガッツポーズgattsu pōzuguts poseshow courage, strength
ゲームセンター or ゲーセンgēmusentā or gēsengame centercard / arcade
ギブ(アップ)gibu(appu)give up)to give up
ゴールデンアワーor ゴールデンタイムgōruden'awā or gōrudentaimugolden hour or golden timegolden hour or golden age
ゴールデンウィーク or ゴールデンウイークgōruden'wīku or gōruden'uīkugolden weekone week vacation in japan
グラスgurasuglassglass
グロgurugro(tesque)grotesque
ギャラリーgyararīgallerygallery
ハイカラhaikarahigh collar(r)slang for western coins
ハイネックhainekkuhigh neckturtleneck
ハイタッチhaitacchihigh touchtouch here
ハッカーhakkāhacker
ハンバーグhanbāguhamburg (er steak)Burger
ハンドルhandoruhandleto handle
ハンドルキーパーhandorukīpāhandle keeperdesignated driver
ハンドルネームhandorunēmuhandle nameusername
ハンカチhankachihan(d)kerchie(f)tissue
ハンストhansutohun(ger) st(rike)hunger strike
ハッピーエンドhappyhappy endhappy ending
ハウスhausu(vinyl) + houseHouse
ヘアピンカーブheapinkābuhairpin curvecurve
ヘルスメーターherusumētāhealth meterhealth meter
ヒップhippuhipsbuttocks, ass
ホッチキスhocchikisuhotchkissstapled
ホームhumu(plat)formplatform
ホットケーキhottokēkihotcakepancake
ホワイトデーhowaitodēwhite + dayvalentine's day - white day
イメージimējiimagemImage
イン・キーin kīin keyin the key
インフレinfuseinfla(tion)inflation
イラストirasutoillustration(ration)illustration
イヤー・オブ・ザ・コーチiyā obu za kōchiyear of the coachcoach of the year
ジャンパーjapajumperjacket, blazer
ジェンダーフリーjendāfurīgender freefree sex
ジェットコースターjettokōsutājet coasterroller coaster
ジーパンjīpanjea(ns) + pan(ts)jeans
ジュースjūsujuicejuice
カメラマンkameramancameramancameraman
カモン or カモーンkamon or kamōncome onwe will
カンニングkanningucunningcunning
カシューナッツkashū nattsucashew nutcashew nut
キーボードkībōdokeyboardkeyboard
キッチンペーパーkicchinpēpākitchen paperkitchen paper
キーホルダーkīhorudākey holderkeychain
キスマークkisumākukiss markkiss mark
コインランドリーkoin randorīlavanderia self-servicelaundry
コインロッカーkoin rokkācoin lockercoin cabinet
コンビニkonbiniconveni(ence store)convenience store
コンピューター or コンピュータkonpyūtā or konpyūtacomputercomputer
コンセントconsentconcentrate(ric plug)power plug
コラボkorabocollab(orations)collaborate
コロッケーkorokkecroquettecroquet
コスプレkosupurecos(tume) playcosplay
クラブ or 倶楽部kurabuclubclub or society
クラクションkurakushonklaxonelectric horn
クリスタルkurisutarucrystalcrystal
キャベツkyabetsucabbagecabbage
キャビンアテンダントkyabinatendentantocabin attendantcabin attendant
キャッチボールkyacchibōrucatch ballball capture
キャッチホンkyacchihoncatch phonecall in wait
キャンペーンkyanpēncampaigncampaign
キャップkyappucapcap
マグカップmagukappumug cupcup / mug
マイ〜May~mymine
マイナスドライバーmainasudoraibāminus driverscrewdriver
マジックインキmajikkuinkimagic ink (uma marca registrada da uchida yoko co., ltd.)magic ink
マジックテープmajikkutēpumagic tapemagic ribbon
マニアmaniamaniaenthusiasm, enthusiast
マンションmanshonmansionmansion
マスコミmasukomimass communicationmass communication
マザコンmazakonmother com(plex)[1]with the mother
メールmērumailpost office
メールマガジンmērumagajinmail magazinemail magazine
ミルクmirukumilkmilk
ミシンmishin(sewing) machineSewing machine
モバイルmobairumobilemobile and portable communication devices.
モボmobomo(dern) bo(y)modern man
モガgirlmo(dern) gi(rl)modern girl
モーニングコートor モーニングmōningukōto or mōningumorning coattailcoat
モーニングサービス or モーニングmōningusābisumorning servicemorning service
モーテルmōterumotelmotel
ムーディmūdimoodymoody
ナンバーディスプレイnanbādisupureinumber displaydisplay number
ノークレームノーリターンnōkurēmunōritānno claim, no returnno claim, no return
ノートnotenotenote
ニューハーフnyūhāfunew-halfnew sock
オーバーōbāoverend
オージーgrandfatherorgyorgy
オンリーワンonrīwanonly oneonly one
オープンカーōpunkāopen carconvertibles (car)
オーライōraia(ll) right(t)it's all right
パインdorpine(apple)pineapple
パーマpāmaperma(not wave)permanent
パネリストpaneructpanelistspeaker
パンクpankupunc(ture)flat tire
パンストpansutopan(ty) + sto(cking)pantyhose
パンツpantsupantsunderwear, can be used for any underwear, including panties.
パソコンpasokonperson(nal) with(puter)computer (abbreviated slang)
パーソナルコンピューターpersonal computercomputador pessoalpersonal computer
ペアルックpearukkupair lookmatching clothes (usually between a couple)
ペーパードライバーpēpādoraibāpaper driverwho has a license but does not drive
ペーパーカンパニーpēpākanpanīpaper companyfictitious company, shell company, paper company
ペーパーテストpēpātesutopaper testwritten exam / test
ピンチpinchi -> untranslatable(in a) pinchpotentially disastrous situation
ポケベルpokeberupocket(t) bellbeep, pager
ポケモンPokémonpocke(t) mon(ster)pocket monsters
ポストposepostmail box
プラスドライバーpurasudoraibāplus driverphillips screwdriver
プリクラpurikuraprint club (trademark)print photo
プロpureprofessionalprofessional
ラブホテルrabuhoterulove hotelhotel for couples...
ライバルraibarurivalrival
ライブアクションraibuakushonlive actionLive
ライブハウスraibuhausucasa de showconcert hall
ライフラインraifurainlifelinerope of life
ラムネramunelemon (from)Lemonade
ランニングホームランranninguhōmuranrunning home runrunning a home run
リベンジribenjirevengerevenge
リーチrīchiAlcançarcatch up
リフォームrifōmureformremodeling
リモコンrimokonrow(te) con(trol)Remote Control
リンクフリーrinkufurīfree linkfree call
リニューアルrinyūarurenewalrenovation
ロードショーrōdoshōroadshow (theatrical release)debut
ロケーションハンティング, ロケハンrokēshonhantingu, rokehanlocation huntinghunting ground
ロマンスグレーromansugurēgray romancesilver gray hair
ロマンスカーromansukāromance carluxury train
ロープウェーrōpuwērope wayairship path
ロリコンrorikonloli(ta) com(plex)sexual attraction to minors.
ロスタイムrosutaimuloss timewaste of time
サービスsābisuserviceservice
サイダーsaidācidercidra - citron
サイドブレーキsaidoburēkiside brakeside brake
サインleavesignboard
サインペンsainpensign penlabel, trade name
サンドバッグsandobaggusandbagsand bag
サンドイッチ or サンドsandoicchi, sandosand(wich)sandwich
サラリーマンsararīmansalary + mansalaried: a salaried office
セフレsafeif(x) + cold(nd)sexual partner, casual, sex friends
セックスsekkususexosex
セクハラsekuharasex(ual) hara(ssment)sexual harassment
センスsensusensesense
セレブserebuceleb(rity)celebrity
シャープペンシルor シャーペンshāpenshiru or shāpenshar(p) lápis ou shar(p) caneta(l)automatic pencil
シーエムshīemucm (commercial message)television ad
シールshīrusealstamp
シルバーシートshirubāshītosilver seat (referring to the silver hair of cuddle passengers)silver seat, priority light
ソフトsofutosoft(ware)Software
ソフトクリームsofutokurīmu orsoftcreamsoft (ice) creamcream ice cream
ソーラーシステムsōrāshisutemusolar systemsolar system (energy)
スイートルームsuītorūmusuite roomsuíte
スカイsukaiskysky
スケボーsukebōska(te)bo(ard)skateboard
スケルトンsukerutonskeletonskeleton
スキーsukīskiski
スキンシップsukinshippuskin + -shipskinship
スマートsumātosmartintelligent
スムーズsumūzusmooth (transaction)successful transaction
スーパーsūpāsuper(market)supermarket
スパッツ, スパッツタイツsupattsu, supattsutaitsuspats, spats tightsleggings, tights
スペルovercamespellspell
スリーサイズsurīsaizuthree sizethree size
ストーブsutōbustovestove
ストライキ or ストsutoraiki or sutostrike or st(rike)strike
タイムオーバーtaimuōbātime overtime is over
タレントtarentotalenttalent
テンキーweatherhave keynumeric keyboard
テンションtenshontensionvoltage
テレビterebitelevision(sion)TV
テレビゲームterebigēmutelevi(sion) gamevideo game
テレカterekatele(phone) ca(rd)tele (telephone) ca (rd)
ティーンエージャーtīn'ējāteenageradolescent
トイレ(ット)toire(tto)toilet(t)Restroom
トランプtoranputrump(s)trump
ヴァイキングvaikinguvikingviking
ワンパターンwanpatānone patterna pattern
ワンピースwanpīsuum pedaçoone piece
ワープロwāpurowor(d) pro(cessor)word processor
ウィンカー or ウインカーwinkā or uinkāwinkerturn signal
ヤンエグyan'eguyoun(g) ex(ecutive)young executive
ヨットyottoyachtyacht

There are probably thousands of other words, in the future I intend to update this list even more. Leave your comment if you missed an important word or any mistake or suggestion.

Videos about Wasei-Eigo

Below you can follow some videos about wasei-eigo from our friends Ricardo Cruz and Otaku in Japan talking a little about Wasei-Eigo:

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