'Say what?' 20 Cool Words that Only Exist in JapaneseDate published: 15 October 2020 Last updated: 17 February 2021
There are loads of funny, colorful, and cool Japanese words that just dont have a direct translation into English. Show
Japan has a long and rich history, and its famously complex language reflects that. The language of a country can give you perspective on and insight into the culture and attitudes of the people that use it. 1. KY (adj.)The English letters KY are used as a shorthand for the Japanese phrase kūki yomenai, meaning cant read the room, or more literally, cant read the air. You can say a person is KY if they are socially awkward or inappropriate. 2. 木漏れ日 Komorebi (n.)This beautiful word refers to the light that filters through the trees, dappling the forest floor. Its a poetic word that evokes imagery of a peaceful, natural scene. Next time youre out for a stroll in the woods, take a moment to appreciate the gently shifting komorebi and marvel at the fact that theres no word for it in English! 3. わびさび Wabi-sabi (n.)Wabi-sabi is the very Japanese style of art and aesthetics emphasizing simplicity and restraint. It is an appreciation of the beauty of imperfections and impermanence. Things and art that fall into this category are generally very simple but inspire a feeling of calm. Wabi-sabi brings to mind things like humble shrines and roughly made pottery. 4. 別腹 Betsu bara (n.)Anyone with a sweet tooth can relate to the mystery of the betsu bara, or separate stomach. This handy noun refers to the mysterious extra room you find you have for dessert after a large meal. 5. 森林浴 Shinrinyoku (n.)Literally forest bathing, shinrinyoku is the act of going into a forest to unwind and breathe in the fresh air. The refreshing feeling of spending time in nature and away from civilization is widely known to be good for your mental health, so how is it that we dont have a word like this in English? If you havent yet, definitely try some shinrinyoku therapy; it is free, after all. 6. 積ん読 Tsundoku (n.)Tsundoku is made up of the words tsun, here meaning pile up, and doku, meaning to read. Book lovers are probably all guilty of this one, as it refers to the act of buying lots of books and not reading them, leading to a pile of unread books. 7. シブい Shibui (adj.)This super-specific adjective is used to describe something or someone that has aged gracefully and gotten cooler with age. The closest English equivalent might be to say theyve aged like a fine wine. 8. 過労死 Karōshi (n.)This dark word is somewhat well known in the English-speaking world these days, but is worth mentioning to understand some of the pressure that has arisen in some corners of the working world. 9. 紅葉 Kōyō (n.)Perhaps best translated as autumn foliage, this succinct word describes the brilliant colors of the leaves in autumn. While not impossible to translate or at least describe, the fall leaves are definitely a bigger deal in Japan than in most other places as the rich red foliage here is just so beautiful. Every year people travel far and wide to see the most gorgeous leaves from the best vantage points. Fall Colors in Japan: Best 8 Spots to See Japanese Maple Leaves (And When to Visit)! 10. 口寂しい Kuchisabishī (n. + adj.)This charming phrase means that your mouth is lonely, and describes eating out of boredom rather than hunger. Weve all had an unwarranted treat when theres been nothing else to do, but for some reason just didnt have quite the right word to describe this absentminded munching until today! Maybe giving this bad habit a name will make it easier to stop... Is Your Kuchi Sabisihii? Check Out These Takeya Snacks and Souvenirs 11. 猫舌 Nekojita (n.)Japanese people really like their food and drinks to be piping hot, as in hot enough to cause moderate damage. Those lesser mortals who have to blow on their lava-like food before eating it are said to have a nekojita, or a cat tongue. This somewhat surreal word is said to have originated in the Edo period and is based on the fact that cats (allegedly) dont like to eat hot food. 12. 飲ミュニケーション Nomunication (n.) and たばこミュニケーション Tabaccomunication (n.)These words are both portmanteaus. Nomunication comes from the Japanese word nomu (drink) and the English word communication, and refers to communication while drinking (specifically alcohol). Tabaccomunication comes from the words tobacco and communication, and unsurprisingly means communication while smoking. 13. 三日坊主 Mikka Bōzu (n.)This means three-day monk, and refers to someone who gives up or gave up on something very quickly. It can also have the nuance of initially starting with much passion and intensity, only to then falter very fast. Buddhist monks have quite a strict routine of extremely early mornings, cleaning, and tough training, so throughout history, quite a few people have understandably thrown in the towel early on. 14. ありがた迷惑 Arigatameiwaku (n.)Arigatameiwaku is a combination of the words arigatai and meiwaku, which mean grateful and nuisance respectively. This is used to describe a very specific situation in which a person goes out of their way to do something for you that you didnt want them to do in the first place. This favor ends up causing problems for you, but social norms force you to show gratitude anyway. 15. 生きがい Ikigai (n.)A combination of ikiru, meaning to live, and gai, meaning reason, your ikigai is, therefore, your reason for living or purpose in life. Your ikigai could be a hobby youre passionate about, a special person or pet in your life, or some world-changing activism. Whatever it is, it gets you out of bed and lights a fire under you, so make time for your ikigai as much as possible! 16. 木枯らし Kogarashi (n.)This is the first cold wind you feel in autumn that lets you know winter is fast approaching. It means leaf-shaking wind, and it might have you shaking too! Depending on your feelings about winter, the coming of kogarashi is either exciting or foreboding. Nicely reflecting a lot of Japanese culture, this word is both poetic and practical. 17. ばたんきゅう Batan-kyūBatan-kyū has fallen somewhat out of use, but is an onomatopoeia that is mostly written in casual situations rather than spoken, and is used to describe that feeling when you are so tired you flop into bed and fall straight to sleep. 18. 物の哀れ Mono no Aware (n.)Mono no aware is very similar to wabi-sabi, but is an older word that is not used as much now. It refers to appreciating the bittersweet impermanence of somethings fleeting beauty since nothing lasts forever. Its very in line with the Buddhist idea of being in the moment and letting things go, although it also suggests a sort of wistfulness. 19. キープ君 Keep-kun (n.)This one might seem a little harsh, but a Keep-kun is a placeholder boyfriend who is only kept around until someone better shows up. The unfortunate label comprises the English word keep, and the Japanese honorific kun, which is a suffix added to mens names to show affection or closeness. 20. クチャラー Kucharā (n.)The word kucharā is a little dated, but it refers to a person who chews with their mouth open. Written by: Katie Clayton Having lived in Jamaica and the UK, Katie now finds herself most at home in Japan. Shes an English teacher and a translator with a passion for fashion, and shes a pro at hunting down beautiful locally made products and thrifted gems. Two of her favorite pastimes include eating and relaxing at onsen though preferably not at the same time! Kansai-Ben: 18 Fun Kansai Dialect Phrases To Use When Visiting Osaka! Hokkaido-Ben: Useful Words from the Hokkaido Dialect to Spice Up Your Trip
*This information is from the time of this article's publication. *Prices and options mentioned are subject to change. *Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax. Share this article. |