Wasei-Eigo — Japanese-Made English
Words that look English but mean something completely different in Japanese.
エアコン
eakon
An air conditioning unit ≠ air conditioner
technology アルバイト
arubaito
A part-time job, especially for students or young people ≠ arbeit
work ベビーカー
bebīkā
A baby stroller / pushchair / pram ≠ stroller
daily-life クレーム
kurēmu
A customer complaint or grievance ≠ claim
business コンセント
konsento
An electrical outlet / wall socket / power plug ≠ outlet
daily-life カンニング
kanningu
Cheating on an exam or test ≠ cunning
education フリーター
furītā
A person who moves between part-time jobs without pursuing a career (typically young adults) ≠ free + Arbeiter
work ガソリンスタンド
gasorin sutando
A gas station / petrol station / filling station ≠ gas station
daily-life ゴールデンウィーク
gōruden wīku
A cluster of national holidays from late April to early May (approx. April 29 – May 5) ≠ Golden Week
culture ハイタッチ
hai tacchi
A high five (slapping palms together in celebration) ≠ high five
daily-life マンション
manshon
An apartment building (usually reinforced concrete, mid-to-high range) ≠ mansion
housing モーニング
mōningu
A morning set / breakfast deal at a cafe (coffee + toast + egg, often for just the price of coffee) ≠ morning
food マイペース
mai pēsu
Going at one's own pace; being unhurried and doing things one's own way ≠ my pace
personality ナイーブ
naību
Sensitive, delicate, gentle (positive connotation) ≠ naive
personality ノートパソコン
nōto pasokon
A laptop computer (portable personal computer) ≠ laptop
technology OL
ōeru
A female office worker (typically clerical/administrative) ≠ office lady
work ペーパードライバー
pēpā doraibā
A person who has a driver's license but rarely or never drives ≠ paper driver
daily-life パーカー
pākā
A hoodie / hooded sweatshirt (casual pullover with hood) ≠ parka
fashion プリン
purin
Caramel custard pudding (crème caramel / flan) ≠ pudding
food リフォーム
rifōmu
Home renovation, remodeling (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) ≠ reform
housing リモコン
rimokon
A remote control (for TV, AC, etc.) ≠ remote control
technology サラリーマン
sarariiman
A male white-collar office worker, typically a full-time company employee ≠ salary man
work ショートケーキ
shōtokēki
A sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries (the iconic Japanese cake) ≠ shortcake
food サイン
sain
A signature or autograph (written by hand) ≠ sign
daily-life スキンシップ
sukinshippu
Physical closeness or contact between people, especially parent-child bonding through touch ≠ skinship
culture スマート
sumāto
Slim, slender, stylish (referring to body shape or appearance) ≠ smart
fashion テンション
tenshon
Energy level, excitement, or mood (テンション高い = hyped up, excited) ≠ tension
daily-life トランプ
toranpu
Playing cards (the deck itself, or card games in general) ≠ trump
entertainment バイキング
baikingu
An all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant or buffet-style meal ≠ viking
food ワイシャツ
waishatsu
A dress shirt / button-down shirt (the kind worn with suits) ≠ white shirt
fashion