The Curious and Fun World of JapanEnglish

🎎 - culture Apr 14, 2025
Japanglish words

If you've ever traveled to Japan, you've probably seen some unexpected Japanese inventions in language—English words used in ways you wouldn’t expect! From T-shirts that say "Happy Smile Life" to café signs offering "Enjoyable Taste Time," Japan has a unique way of using English 🥶🤣

This mix of Japanese and English, often called JapanEnglish, is everywhere—on billboards, menus, and even official signs. Sometimes, it’s charming (or cringe) and creative. Other times, it leads to funny English translations in Japan!

But why does this happen? The origin of Japan’s English language mix comes from the country’s love of international culture. English words are trendy, stylish, and often make things sound more modern or exciting. Sometimes, these words take on entirely unexpected meanings, different from their original English usage.

In this article, I’ll list some of the most common Japanglish words you may encounter while studying Japanese, along with sentence examples. Enjoy✨



🟠Salaryman (サラリーマン)

 Office worker or corporate employee 

  • うちのお父さんは典型的なサラリーマンで、毎晩遅くまで働いている。

Uchi no otousan ha tenkei teki na SARARIIMAN de, maiban osoku made hataraite iru.

My father is a typical office worker and works late every night.

 

🟢OL (オーエル)

Office Lady (female office worker)

  • 姉は大手企業でOLの仕事を始めたばかりです。

Ane ha oote kigyou de OOERU no shigoto wo hajimeta bakari desu.

My big sister has just started working as an office lady at a major company.

 

🟠Freeter (フリーター)

Part-time or freelance worker 

  • 今はフリーターとして働きながら、将来のことを考えているところです。

Ima ha FURIITAA toshite hataraki nagara, shourai no koto wo kangaete iru tokoro desu.

I am currently working as a part-time worker and thinking about my future.

 

🟢High Tension (ハイテンション)

Very excited or hyper 

  • 子供たちはお菓子を食べてハイテンションになった。

Kodomo tachi ha okashi wo tabete HAITENSHON ni natta.

The children were excited after eating the sweets.

 

🟠Consent (コンセント)

Electrical outlet 

  • 携帯を充電したいので、コンセントを使ってもいいですか。

Keitai wo juuden shitai node, KONSENTO wo tsukatte mo ii desu ka.

I'd like to charge my cell phone, so can I use the outlet?

 

🟢Aircon (エアコン)

Air conditioner 

  • 今日は暑いから、エアコンをつけよう!

Kyou ha atsui kara, EAKON wo tsukeyou!

It's hot today, so let's turn on the air conditioner!

 

🟠Smart (スマート)

Clever, cool

  • 仕事ができるスマートな社会人になりたい。

Shigoto ga dekiru SUMAATO na shakai jin ni naritai.

I want to become a worker that is productive, clever and cool.

 

🟢Claim (クレーム)

Complaint 

  • 商品が破損していたので、クレームを入れました。

Shouhin ga hason shite ita node, KUREEMU wo iremashita.

The product was damaged so I filed a complaint.

 

🟠Mansion (マンション)

Condominium or apartment building 

  • 駅前に新しいマンションが建ちました。

Eki-mae ni atarashii manshon ga tachimashita.
A new apartment building was built in front of the station.

 

🟢Fashion Health (ファッションヘルス)

Certain type of adult service establishment 

  • ファッションヘルスについてはあまり知らないけど、夜の街でよく見かける。

Fasshon herusu ni tsuite ha amari shiranai kedo, yoru no machi de yoku mikakeru.
I don’t know much about fashion health, but I often see it in the nightlife districts.

 

🟠Idol (アイドル)

Pop star, typically a young performer 

  • あのアイドルグループは最近すごく人気がある。
     

Ano aidoru gurūpu ha saikin sugoku ninki ga aru.
That idol group has been really popular lately.

 

🟢Talent (タレント)

Celebrity or TV personality 

  • そのタレントはテレビに出るたびに面白い話をしてくれる。

Sono tarento ha terebi ni deru tabi ni omoshiroi hanashi wo shite kureru.
That celebrity tells interesting stories every time they appear on TV.

 

🟠Viking (バイキング)

Buffet-style meal 

  • ランチにバイキング形式のレストランに行こうか?

Ranchi ni baikingu keishiki no resutoran ni ikou ka?
Shall we go to a buffet-style restaurant for lunch?

 

🟢Morning Service (モーニングサービス) 

Breakfast specials at cafes 

  • このカフェは朝8時からモーニングサービスを提供しています。

Kono kafe ha asa hachi-ji kara mōningu sābisu wo teikyō shiteimasu.
This café offers a morning service starting at 8 a.m.

 

🟠Night Cruising (ナイトクルージング) 

Taking a nighttime drive

  • 週末に友達とナイトクルージングを楽しんだ。

Shūmatsu ni tomodachi to naito kurūjingu wo tanoshinda.
I enjoyed night cruising with friends over the weekend. 

 

🟢My Boom (マイブーム)

Personal hobby or current obsession 

  • 最近のマイブームはカフェ巡りです。

Saikin no mai būmu ha kafe meguri desu.
My recent obsession is going around to different cafés.

 

🟠Paper Driver (ペーパードライバー)

Licensed driver who rarely drives 

  • 免許を取ってからほとんど運転してないから、私はペーパードライバーだ。

Menkyo wo totte kara hotondo unten shite nai kara, watashi ha pēpā doraibā da.
Since I got my license, I’ve hardly driven, so I’m a paper driver.

 

🟢Coin Laundry (コインランドリー)

Laundromat 

  • 洗濯機が壊れたから、近所のコインランドリーに行った。

Sentakki ga kowareta kara, kinjo no koin randorī ni itta.
The washing machine broke, so I went to the neighborhood coin laundry.

 

🟠Key Holder (キーホルダー)

Keychain 

  • 友達にかわいいキーホルダーをお土産でもらった。

Tomodachi ni kawaii kīhorudā wo omiyage de moratta.
I got a cute keychain as a souvenir from a friend.

 

🟢Soft Cream (ソフトクリーム)

Soft-serve ice cream 

  • 暑い日はやっぱりソフトクリームが最高だね。

Atsui hi ha yappari sofutokurīmu ga saikō da ne.
On hot days, soft serve ice cream is the best, isn’t it?

 

🟠Baby Car (ベビーカー)

Stroller 

  • 赤ちゃんをベビーカーに乗せて散歩に行った。

Akachan wo bebīkā ni nosete sanpo ni itta.
I put the baby in the stroller and went for a walk.

 

🟢Back Mirror (バックミラー)

Rearview mirror 

  • バックミラーをちゃんと確認してからバックしてね。

Bakkumirā wo chanto kakunin shite kara bakku shite ne.
Make sure to check the rearview mirror properly before backing up.

 

🟠Running Machine (ランニングマシーン)

Treadmill 

  • ジムでランニングマシーンを使って、30分走りました。

Jimu de ranningu mashīn wo tsukatte, sanjuppun hashirimashita.
I used the treadmill at the gym and ran for 30 minutes.

 

🟢Handle (ハンドル)

Steering wheel 

  • 運転するときはしっかりハンドルを握ってね。

Unten suru toki ha shikkari handoru wo nigitte ne.
When driving, make sure to hold the steering wheel firmly.


Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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