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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

アベック abekku avec (meaning 'with') romantic couple French

アフター customer service, user

afutā sābisu after service English
サービス support, after care, service

アイドル aidoru idol (teen) idol, pop star English

ice, also used as a

アイス aisu ice/Eis shortened form of ice English/German
cream

アイスク
aisu kurīmu ice cream ice cream English
リーム

(Steig)eisen (meanin
アイゼン aizen g 'climbing iron' or crampons German
'crampon')

アメフト amefuto Ame(rican) foot(ball) American football English

アメリカ amerikan
American dog corn dog English
ンドッグ doggu

animation, animated
cartoons or films
(although anime has
anime been reborrowed into
アニメ listen (help·inf anima(tion) English
English with a meaning of
o)
"Japanese animation", in
Japanese the term refers
to all animation)
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ion

an anime song, most often

アニソン anison ani(me) + son(g) English
the theme

アンケー
ankēto enquête questionnaire, survey French
ト

アンニュ
annyui ennui ennui, boredom French
イ

reply to a question, solution

アンサー ansā answer English
to a problem

アンチ anchi anti- hater, anti-fan English

apartment (US), flat (UK),

though apāto are usually in
small two-story wood- English
アパート apāto apart(ment)
structure buildings, not (American)
multistory complexes as in
the US usage

アポ apo appo(intment) appointment English

to upgrade or improve
(something). Coupled with
English or pseudo-English
nouns that indicate what
that something is;
〜アップ ~appu up(grade) e.g., version-up: upgrade English
(software), buy the next-
better version or model of
something, improve the
appearance of
something; image-up:
improve the image of,
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

improve one's outward

appearance; "weight-up":
to gain weight; manner-up:
improve one's manners,
learn (proper/better)
manners or
etiquette; power-up: an
object that instantly
benefits or adds extra
abilities to a video game
character; base-up, level-
up: take to the next or a
higher (basic) level of
quality; also base-
up (frequently
abbreviated bea): to raise
the base wage of the
workers

アロエ aroe Aloë aloe Dutch

アルバイ
arubaito or Arbeit (meaning
ト or バイ part-time job German
baito 'work')
ト

アールブ truck, van, SUV,

ārubui RV English
イ Recreational Vehicle

アルコー
arukōru alcohol, álcool alcohol, alcoholic beverage Dutch
ル

アウトコ
autokōsu out course outside English
ース

バーゲン bāgen bargain a sale at a store English

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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

smorgasbord, buffet. It is
said that this originated
from the restaurant
"Imperial Viking" in
バイキン the Imperial Hotel, which
baikingu viking English
グ was the first restaurant in
Japan to serve buffet-style
meals, named after the
1958 American film The
Vikings.

a motorcycle, but not

バイク baiku bike English
a bicycle

バカンス bakansu vacances holiday, vacation French

ブックカ
bukku kabā book cover dust jacket English
バー

バックミ
bakku mirā back mirror rear-view mirror English
ラー

バックナ
bakku nanbā back number back issue English
ンバー

バックネ
bakku netto back net a backstop (in baseball) English
ット

バリアフ Accessible facilities for

baria furī barrier free English
リー handicapped persons
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romanizat Origin Meaning
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Bariquand et Marre Hand or electric

バリカン barikan French
(French) operating hair trimmer

a bus hijacking (possibly

バスジャ
basu jakku bus (hi)jack based on the English term English?
ック "carjack")

butter, sometimes used on

バター batā butter food packaging to refer English
to margarine

Swing the bat in baseball;

or, to project forward or
バッティ propose competitively on
battingu batting or butting English
ング business or others by two
or more parties, like
"butting heads" by animals.

ベビーカ stroller (US), pushchair or

bebī kā baby car English
ー pram (UK)

bedroom suburbs,
ベッドタ bedroom community,
beddo taun bed town English
ウン dormitory suburb,
commuter town

vi(dro) (glass) + 玉 Portuguese

ビー玉 bīdama marbles
(dama, ball) + Japanese

ビジネス bijinesu
business hotel budget hotel English
ホテル hoteru

ビロード birōdo veludo velvet Portuguese

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romanizat Origin Meaning
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building (especially modern

ビル biru buil(ding) English
steel / concrete buildings)

ビール bīru bier beer Dutch

a steel canister for storing

ボンベ bonbe Bombe pressurized gas, such as German
a propane tank

ボールペ
bōru pen ball(point) pen a ballpoint pen English
ン

ボタン botan botão button Portuguese

ブランコ buranko balanço a swing Portuguese

ブラセラ panty fetishism, especially

burasera or with teenage girls wearing
or ブルセ bloo(mer) sailor English
burusera school outfits ("sailor
ラ suits") and bloomers.

blazer, or a Japanese
school uniform that
includes that garment. It
ブレザー burezā blazer English
usually has buttons down
the front and a vest under it
with a white collared shirt.

short pants worn for

ブルマ buruma bloomers exercise by girls, usually in English
PE class in high school
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romanizat Origin Meaning
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ion

kyabin
キャビン atendanto
アテンダ (Sometimes Cabin attendant A flight attendant English
ント shortened to
"CA")

チェリー
cherī bōi cherry boy A male virgin English
ボーイ

チアガー
chia gāru cheer girl (female) cheerleader English
ル

チアマン chia man cheer man (male) cheerleader English

チアリー
chiarīdā cheerleader cheerleader English
ダー

チアリー
chiarīdingu cheerleading cheerleading English
ディング

チケット chiketto ticket ticket English

チンキ chinki tinktuur tincture Dutch

チューハ
(焼)酎 ((Shō)chū) a kind of alcoholic drink Japanese +
イ or 酎ハ chūhai
+ high(ball) originating from Japan English
イ

コラボ korabo Collab(orations) A term for when two English

separate entities come
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

together and make

something

コンピュ
ーター or konpyūtā or
computer computer English
コンピュ konpyūta
ータ

ダブル
(noun), ダ (noun and adjective)
ブる double; double-breasted
(intransitiv daburu double (jacket), or turn-ups (cuffs) English
e verb). on trousers; (verb) to be
Sometime redundant or doubled
s "W"

ダンプカ dump truck (US), dumper

danpu kā dump car English
ー (UK)

ダストボ dasuto rubbish bin (UK), garbage

dust box English
ックス bokkusu can (US)

ダウンロ
ードオン daunrōdo download only
a computing leech English
リーメン onrī menbā member
バー

~esque, attached to a
〜ティッ noun. For example, a
~tikku or the "-tic" suffix, as in product with cute character
ク or 〜⁠チ English
~chikku (roman)tic, (drama)tic illustrations may be
ック considered "Akihabara-
chikku".
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romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

デッドボ
deddo bōru dead ball hit by a pitch English
ール

デコレー
dekorēshon
ションケ decoration cake a fancy cake English
kēki
ーキ

電子レン
denshi renji 電子 (denshi, Japanese +
ジ or レン a microwave oven
or renji electronic) + range English
ジ

デパート depāto depart(ment store) department store English

a shopping area, often

de(partment store) + focused on food and
English +
デパ地下 depa chika 地下 (chika, located adjacent to train
Japanese
underground)[1] stations, found in major
cities in Japan

a form of prostitution,
デリバリ deribarī
delivery health essentially a call English
ーヘルス herusu
girl or escort service

デッサン dessan dessin drawing French

an editor for a certain

section of a publication,
derived from the English
デスク desuku desk English
custom of calling the job a
desk, as in "the sports
desk"
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romanizat Origin Meaning
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Duits(land), Deutsch(l
ドイツ doitsu Germany Dutch, German
and)

when the doctor tells a

ドクター dokutā
doctor stop patient to stop doing English
ストップ sutoppu
something

"don't worry about it", "don't

pay (that) any mind",
ドンマイ donmai don('t) mi(nd) "it's/I'm OK", "no problem". English
Frequently used when
something goes wrong

ドライバ a screwdriver, motor

doraibā driver English
ー vehicle driver

ドライブ rest area, motor

doraibuin drive in English
イン lodge, drive-in

ドラマ dorama drama TV drama, soap opera English

drifting, in the sense of a

car in the
ドリフト dorifuto drift English
controlled skid used
in drifting

air con(ditioning) or air conditioning or air

エアコン eakon English
air con(ditioner) conditioner

adult video, audio

AV ēbui or ēvui wasei-eigo AV English
visual (audio video)
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romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

エキス ekisu ex(tract) extract Dutch

エネルギ
enerugisshu energisch energetic German
ッシュ

stall (as in
エンスト ensuto en(gine) sto(p) English
an automobile engine)

elevator (American
エレベー English
erebētā elevator English), lift (British
ター English)
(American)

エロ ero ero(s) erotic English

エログ erogu ero(tic) + (b)log erotic / adult oriented blog English

a loosely defined artistic

movement featuring "erotic
エログロ eroguro ero(tic) gro(tesque) grotesque nonsense" that English
emerged in Japan in the
early 20th century

(1) to cheer on a player in

a sports competition; (2) to
エール ēru yell English
express support for a
candidate in an election

acronym for "long life

LLC eruerushī antifreeze coolants English
coolant"
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se origin
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エスカレ
esukarētā escalator escalator English
ーター

エステ esute esthé(tique) beauty salon, esthetic clinic French

dirty, naughty; sex

H (likely from the first (the etymology of etchi is
エッチ etchi English
letter of hentai) still debated by
Japanese linguists)

ファイナ
fainaru final last English
ル

often used to mean "Do

ファイト faito fight your best!" or "I'll do my English
best."

the Nintendo Entertainment

famikon,
System. Also used as a
ファミコ Famicom fami(ly) com(puter) catch-all term by the older English
ン listen (help·inf generation for any gaming
o)
console.

ファンフ
fanfāre Fanfare a musical fanfare German
ァーレ

ファンタ
fantajikku fantasy + -ic fantastic English
ジック

ファッシ
fasshon
ョンヘル fashion health a form of brothel English
herusu
ス
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

(Computer Jargon)
To fetch an instruction from
フェッチ fetchi fetch main memory when a English
microprocessor executes a
command

fetish (typically a sexual

fetish but sometimes just
～フェチ fechi feti(sh) English
referring to a distinctive
preference)

フォアボ
foabōru four ball walk, base on, ball four English
ール

フライ furai fly fly ball (baseball term) English

フライ furai fry Deep frying English

フライン furaingu to purchase an item before

flying get English
グゲット getto its official release date

フライド furaido french fries (US), chips

fried potato English
ポテト poteto (UK)

フライン
furaingu
グ(スター flying (start) premature start, breakaway English
(sutāto)
ト)

フリーダ
イアル or furī daiaru or
free dial toll free call English
フリーダ furī daiyaru
イヤル
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

フリーコ
furī kōru free call toll free call English
ール

フリーサ
furī saizu free size one-size-fits-all English
イズ

underemployed young
free + contraction
adults, people who opt to
フリータ of Arbeiter(=“worker” English +
furītā work (a series of) part-time
ー in German) (or free +
jobs rather than engage in
German
time)
permanent employment

the reception desk, e.g. at

フロント furonto front (desk) English
a hotel or a sentō

フロント furonto windshield (US),

front glass English
ガラス garasu windscreen (UK)

a (private) security guard, a

ガードマ
gādo man guard man person who directs traffic English
ン around work sites

ガラス or
garasu glas or glass glass (material) Dutch or English
硝子

ガソリン gasorin gas station (US), petrol

gasoline stand English
スタンド sutando station (UK)

ガッツポ
gattsu pōzu guts pose fist pump, victory pose English
ーズ
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

ガーゼ gāze Gaze gauze German

ゲームセ
gēmu sentā
ンター or game centre video arcade English
or gēsen
ゲーセン

Gelände (meaning
ゲレンデ gerende 'site; ground; ski slope German
premises')

ギブ(アッ
gibu(appu) give (up) To give up English
プ)

cast (sometimes gipusu me

ギプス or gipusu or ans a plaster cast,
Gips German
ギブス gibusu while gibusu refers to a
plastic brace)

rubber, eraser, rubber

ゴム gomu gom Dutch
band

ゴールデ
ンアワー gōruden awā
golden hour or prime time in Japanese
or ゴール or gōruden English
golden time television
デンタイ taimu
ム

ゴールデ
ンウィー gōruden wīku
A week of holidays in
ク or ゴー or gōruden golden week English
Japan, Golden Week.
ルデンウ uīku
イーク
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

goog(le) + -
English +
ググる guguru ru (Japanese verb to google
Japanese
ending)

グラビア gurabia gravure glamour photography English

グラス gurasu glass drinking glass English

グロ guro gro(tesque) grotesque English

an art gallery, audience, or

ギャラリ
gyararī gallery a pool of celebrities on a English
ー program.

a young woman who

ギャル gyaru gal belongs to English
the gyaru subculture

In 1920s slang, "haikara"

referred to a person who
was devoted to Western
fashions, trends and
values. See also the
ハイカラ haikara high colla(r) popular 1970s manga and English
anime, Haikara-san ga
Tōru ("Here Comes Miss
High-Collar").

ハイネッ A turtleneck style shirt or

hainekku high neck English
ク sweater
ハイオク haioku high octane High octane gasoline English
ハイタッ
haitatchi high touch High five English
チ
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

refers specifically to a
ハッカー hakkā hacker English
computer black hat
ハッピー
happī endo happy end a happy ending English
エンド
harmo(ny) + -
to harmonize (when English +
ハモる hamoru ru (Japanese verb
singing) Japanese
ending)
ハンバー Salisbury steak, (culinary
hanbāgu hamburg(er steak) English
グ term)
ハンチン hanchingu- hunting + 帽 (bō, hat, English +
hunting cap
グ帽 bō cap) Japanese
steering wheel or bicycle
ハンドル handoru handle English
handlebars
ハンドル
handoru kīpā handle keeper designated driver English
キーパー
ハンドル handoru
handle name handle, screen name English
ネーム nēmu
ハンカチ hankachi han(d)kerchie(f) handkerchief English
ハンスト hansuto hun(ger) st(rike) hunger strike English
ハウス hausu (vinyl) + house greenhouse or glasshouse English
ヘアピン
heapin kābu hairpin curve hairpin turn English
カーブ
ヘルスメ
herusu mētā health meter bathroom scales, scales English
ーター
ヒステリ
hisuterī Hysterie loss of (self) control German
ー
ヒップ hippu Hips buttocks, butt English
hormone; also offal when
ホルモン horumon Hormon served German
for yakiniku or hotpot
ホース hōsu hoos a hose Dutch
stapler (a genericized
ホッチキ trademark of the E. H.
hotchikisu Hotchkiss English
ス Hotchkiss company, also
used in Korea)
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

ホットケ a pancake, (also called

hotto kēki hotcake English
ーキ hotcake in English)
ホーム hōmu (plat)form a railway platform English
ホワイト White Day, a month
howaito dē White + Day English
デー after Valentine's Day
Reconstructed
イエス iesu Jesus Jesus from Ancient
Greek
English, England or the Portuguese and
イギリス igirisu inglês or inglés
United Kingdom Spanish
икра (ikra) (meaning
イクラ ikura salmon roe Russian
'caviar')
an image, often used to
indicate an artist's
rendering or a graphic
intended to provide a
conceptual image of a
situation; especially in
イメージ imēji image advertising and design, a English
conceptual description
intended to conjure a
mental image of an
abstract situation; (the
public's) impression or
perception of an entity.
インスタ insuta Instagram Instagram English
インフレ infure infla(tion) inflation English
イン・キ locking one's car keys
in kī in key English
ー inside of one's car
イラスト irasuto illust(ration) an illustration English
coach of the year (a title
given to coaches by Asahi
Shimbun and the Japan
イヤー・ High School Baseball
オブ・ iyā obu za Federation from 2003-
year of the coach English
ザ・コー kōchi 2005; corrected to the
チ Japanese name 育成功労
賞 from 2006; now known
as the Training
Achievement Award)
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

ジャンパ jacket, jumper (Ski

janpā jumper English
ー jumping athletes)
ジェンダ gender equality, gender
jendā furī gender free English
ーフリー blind
ジェット
コースタ jetto kōsutā jet coaster roller coaster English
ー
Jingisukan (Mongolian styl
ジンギス
jingisukan Genghis Khan e barbecue with Mongolian
カン cut lamb and vegetables)
ジーパン jīpan jea(ns) + pan(ts) jeans English
often used to refer
to soda or energy drinks,
ジュース jūsu juice English
regardless of whether they
contain any juice
カメラマ photographer or camerama
kameraman cameraman English
ン n
カモン or kamon or An invitation to join an
come on English
カモーン kamōn activity or event.
can (beverage can or tin
カン or 缶 kan kan Dutch
can)
カンニン
kanningu cunning cheating English
グ
カッパ or
kappa capa (de chuva) (rain) coat Portuguese
合羽
カラン karan kraan faucet Dutch
karaoke 空 (kara, empty) + Japanese +
カラオケ listen (help·inf karaoke
orche(stra) English
o)

カリウム
kariumu or
or カリ or kalium potassium Dutch
kari
加里
カルキ karuki kalk lime (mineral) Dutch
cal(cium) + सर
English
カルピス karupisu पिस (sar)pis(Sanskrit Calpis (a milky soft drink)
+ Sanskrit
for "good taste")
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
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karuta (Japanese playing

カルタ karuta carta Portuguese
cards)
カルテ karute Karte (a patient's) medical record German
カシュー
Kashū nattsu cashew nut cashew English
ナッツ
a kind of sponge
(pão de)
kasutera or cake popular
カステラ Castela (bread Portuguese
Castella at festivals and as a street
from Castile)
food in Japan
カタルシ katharsis (in Greek:
katarushisu purification or purgation Greek
ス Κάθαρσις)
Alice band; horseshoe-
shaped hairband made of
Katyusha, a
カチュー metal or plastic (often
kachūsha character in the Russian
シャ novel Resurrection
covered with cloth).
However, in Russian it is
called "ободок" ("obodók").
キーホル
kī horudā key holder key ring or key chain English
ダー
キリスト
kirisuto Cristo Christ Portuguese
or 基督
キスマー
kisu māku kiss mark hickey English
ク
キッチン
kitchin pēpā kitchen paper paper towel English
ペーパー
コーヒー
kōhī koffie coffee Dutch
or 珈琲
コインラ laundromat (US),
koin randorī coin laundry English
ンドリー launderette (UK)
コインロ
koin rokkā coin locker type of locker English
ッカー
コック kokku kok a cook Dutch
コマーシ
ャルメッ komāsharu
commercial message television advertisement English
セージ or messeji
CM
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Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

to make a comic strip

(manga) version of an
コミカラ
komikaraizu comic + -alize originally non-comic strip English
イズ title, such as a novel,
movie, or TV show.
コンビニ konbini conveni(ence store) convenience store English
コンビナ комбинат (kombinat)
konbināto Combine (enterprise) Russian
ート (meaning 'combine')
コンクー
konkūru concours a contest, a competition French
ル
コンセン
konsento concent(ric plug) power outlet English
ト
コント konto conte a short comedy French
コップ koppu copo a glass or tumbler Portuguese
コラーゲ
korāgen Kollagen collagen German
ン
コロッケ
korokke croquette croquette, a small fried roll English
ー
cosplay (a subculture
involving dressing up in
コスプレ kosupure cos(tume) play costumes, especially English
from manga, anime and vid
eo games)
クラブ or
kurabu club a club or society English
倶楽部
クラクシ
kurakushon Klaxon horn (on an automobile) English
ョン
クランケ kuranke Kranker patient German
クレーム kurēmu claim a complaint English
クリスタ
kurisutaru crystal shiny or clear English
ル
キーボー
kībōdo keyboard a keyboard English
ド
キャバク
kyabakura cabaret club hostess club English
ラ
キャベツ kyabetsu cabbage cabbage English
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

キャンペ a sales campaign

kyanpēn campaign English
ーン or sweepstakes
キャンピ French-made
kyanpingu kā Camping-car a recreational vehicle
ングカー English
キャッチ
kyatchi bōru catch ball the game of catch English
ボール
キャッチ
kyatchi hon catch phone call waiting English
ホン
キャッチ
kyatchi kopī catch copy tagline English
コピー
キャップ kyappu cap cap English
マグカッ
magu kappu mug cup mug English
プ
マイナス
mainasu
ドライバ minus driver (flathead) screwdriver English
doraibā
ー
Someone's own. Common
examples include mai
būmu: personal taste; mai
kã: one's own car; mai
waifu : one's wife; mai
hōmū: one's own
house; mai pēsu: doing
things at one's own
マイ〜 mai~ my English
(leisurely) pace, taking
one's time (often
somewhat derogatory).
Confusingly for English
speakers, this can be used
to refer to
someone else's car, wife,
home, etc.
Magic Ink (a
マジック registered trademark
majikku inki Permanent marker English
インキ of Uchida Yoko Co.,
Ltd.)
マジック
majikku tēpu magic tape Velcro English
テープ
Spanish/Portugu
ママ mama mamá mom
ese
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マンダラ Sanskrit via

mandara मण्डल (Mandala) circle
or 曼陀羅 Chinese
マニア mania mania enthusiasm, enthusiast English
modern concrete
マンショ
manshon mansion apartment / condominium English
ン block
full tank (as in the fuel tank Japanese +
満タン mantan 満 (man, full) + tan(k)
of an automobile) English
chestnut, metaphor for
マロン maron marron French
brown eyes
mass media, the media,
マスコミ masukomi mass communication English
the press
Oedipus complex, or a
strong attachment, formed
マザコン mazakon mother com(plex)[2] in childhood, to one's English
mother, often used
derogatorily; "girly man"
mazo
(sometimes
マゾ masochiste masochist French
shortened to
"M")
メーカー mēkā maker manufacturer English
メール mēru mail e-mail English
メールマ mēru
mail magazine e-mail newsletter, ezine English
ガジン magajin
メルヘン meruhen Märchen fairy tale German
ミイラ or mirra (myrrh: an oil
mīra a mummy Portuguese
木乃伊 used in preservation)
ミルク miruku milk milk, non-dairy creamer English
ミシン mishin (sewing) machine sewing machine English
mobile communications,
mobile communications
capability, or mobile
communications devices,
モバイル mobairu mobile English
esp. PDAs and personal
computers with wireless
communications
capabilities
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

mobile phone-based
mailing list subscription,
モバメ mobame mobile + mail usually used by English
entertainers to share their
daily activities with fans
1920s slang for young men
モボ mobo mo(dern) bo(y) adopting western styles English
and behaviours
1920s slang for young
women adopting western
モガ moga mo(dern) gi(rl) English
styles and
behaviours, flapper
モーニン mōningu
morning call wake-up call English
グコール kōru
モーニン
グコート mōningu kōto
morning coat morning coat English
or モーニ or mōningu
ング
breakfast special,
モーニン complimentary toast, hard-
boiled egg et al. that is
グサービ mōningu
morning service served at cafes when a cup English
ス or モー sābisu
of coffee is ordered (only
ニング seen in some parts of
Japan)
a person who, having
completed education and
other preparations, delays
the transition from student
モラトリ moratorium + 人間
moratoriamu to productive member of English +
(ningen, person,
アム人間 ningen society, staying in an Japanese
human being)
uncertain limbo of
continued education, part-
time work, and parental
support (similar to freeter)
recently called as "love
hotel". Does not have
モーテル mōteru motel meaning of English "motel" English
used by tourists with their
own vehicles.
ムーディ mūdi moody nice English
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

an artistic
gymnastics maneuver.
ムーンサ English and
mūnsaruto moon + Salto Also used to describe
ルト a professional
German
wrestling maneuver.
ナイター naitā night + -er a night game English
ナンバー
nanbā
ディスプ number display caller ID English
disupurei
レイ
ナンバー BrE number
nanbā purēto number plate English
プレート plate, AmE license plate
ナトリウ Latin via
natoriumu Natrium sodium (Na)
ム German
ニート Not in Employment, underemployed young
nīto English
or NEET Education or Training adults, akin to "フリーター”
ノイロー
noirōze Neurose neurosis German
ゼ
ノークレ
nō kurēmu
ームノー no claim, no return sold "as is" English
nō ritān
リターン
норма (norma)
quota, minimum
ノルマ noruma (meaning 'standard; Russian
requirement (tasks)
norm')
ノート nōto note a notebook English
A transgender individual
ニューハ
nyūhāfu new-half that has undergone a sex English
ーフ change operation.
オージー ōjī orgy an orgy English
overreaction to a situation
オーバー ōbā over or the end of a dating English
relationship
オードブ hors-d'œuvre (literally
ōdoburu hors-d'œuvre French
ル 'out of work')
alumnus, alumna, former
student; furthermore used
OB, OG ōbī, ōjī old boy, old girl for former sport team English
members, employees,
politicians etc., for former
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

members of any kind of

organisation likewise
オーディ group of people who
ōdiensu audience English
エンス participate in a show
female office worker,
OL ōeru O.L. (office lady) usually in a clerical or English
support job
a sale at a store; e.g., a
オフ ofu off "big summer off" (=big English
summer sale)
オナニー onanī Onanie masturbation (see Onan) German
(adjective) one of a
kind or unique; e.g., オンリ
ーワン技術 (~gijutsu: "only
オンリー one technology") or オンリ
onrīwan only one ーワン商品 (~shōhin: "only English
ワン
one products")
meaning one of a
kind technology or
products
OP (short surgical operation, minor
オペ ope German
for Operation) surgery
オープン
ōpun kā open car convertible (automobile) English
カー
オーライ ōrai a(ll) righ(t) all right, OK English
a music box or any
オルゴー instrument that operates off
orugōru orgel Dutch
ル of a music roll such as
a calliope
オートバ
ōtobai auto bi(cycle) motorcycle, motorbike English
イ
パイン pain pine(apple) pineapple English
パーマ pāma perma(nent wave) perm English
パン pan pão, pan bread Portuguese
パネリス
panerisuto panelist panelist English
ト
パンク panku punc(ture) flat tire English
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

パンスト pansuto pan(ty) + sto(cking) pantyhose English

パソコン pasokon perso(nal) com(puter) PC English
パーソナ
pāsonaru
ルコンピ personal computer personal computer English
konpyūtā
ューター
underpants (American
パンツ pantsu pants English), pants (British English (British)
English)
Italian or
パパ papa papà or papá dad
Spanish
печка (pechka)
ペチカ pechika Russian stove Russian
(meaning 'little oven')
ペアルッ matching outfits (usually
pea rukku pair look English
ク between a couple)
ペニス penisu penis the penis Latin
ペンショ a resort hotel / chalet /
penshon pension French
ン cottage
ペーパー
pēpā dummy company, shell
カンパニ paper company English
kanpanī company
ー

ペーパー a person who has a

driver's license but does
ドライバ pēpā doraibā paper driver English
not usually drive (i.e.: a
ー driver only on paper)
ペーパー
pēpā tesuto paper test written examination/test English
テスト
ピエロ piero pierrot a clown French
ピーマン pīman piment sweet bell pepper French
(Eis)pickel (meaning
ピッケル pikkeru ice axe German
'ice axe')
potentially disastrous
ピンチ pinchi (in a) pinch English
situation
ピンセッ
pinsetto pincet tweezers Dutch
ト
English and
ポエマー poemā poem + -er a poet
Spanish
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

ポケベル pokeberu pocke(t) bell beeper, pager English

ポケモン Pokémon pocke(t) mon(ster) Pokémon English
ポンプ ponpu pomp pump Dutch
ポシェッ
poshetto pochette a small bag French
ト
a mailbox (US), a postbox
ポスト posuto post English
(UK)
plus alpha (in Greek:
プラスア in addition, a little bit more, English
purasu arufa Άλφα) (a misreading
ルファ of "+ X")
with something else and Greek

プラスド purasu
plus driver Phillips screwdriver English
ライバー doraibā
プレイガ
purei gaido play + guide (theater) ticket agency English
イド
Print Club
プリクラ purikura photo booth#purikura English
(trademark)
describes a business
プロ puro professional professional or English
professional sports
プロフィ
purofīru profil a profile French
ール
pro(fessional)
プロレス puroresu professional wrestling English
wrest(ling)
push-button telephone.
A genericized
trademark first registered
プッシュ by the Nippon Telegraph
pusshu hon push phone and Telephone Public English
ホン
Corporation (電電公
社 Dendenkōsha,
now NTT)
love hotel (hotel used as a
ラブホテ
rabu hoteru love hotel private place for couples to English
ル have sexual contact)
A fellow competitor or an
ライバル raibaru rival English
enemy
animated or comic form
ライブア raibu
live action stories made into TV English
クション akushon
shows/movies involving
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

real actors. It's the

opposite of komikarizu
ライブハ club with live music, rock
raibu hausu live house English
ウス bar
ライフラ
raifurain lifeline infrastructure English
イン
ラッコ rakko rakko a sea otter Ainu
Ramune (a lemon-lime soft
ラムネ ramune lemona(de) drink; hard, powdery candy English
like Rockets or Smarties)
a hard schoolbag, worn on
ランドセ
randoseru ransel the back, carried by young Dutch
ル children to school
ランニン
ranningu an inside-the-park home
グホーム running home run English
hōmu ran run
ラン
ランニン ranningu
running shirt a sleeveless T-shirt English
グシャツ shatsu
レジュメ rejume résumé a resume, an outline French
レントゲ X-ray, X-ray medical
rentogen Röntgen German
ン imaging
レースク
rēsu kuīn race queen umbrella girls English
イーン
レストラ
resutoran restaurant restaurant French
ン
return match, rematch,
リベンジ ribenji revenge chance for redemption English
after a failed attempt
One step away from
リーチ rīchi reach winning. Usually used English
in bingo.
リードオ an internet lurker, thought
rīdo onrī
ンリーメ read-only member to be a pun on "read-only English
menbā
ンバー memory"
リフォー remodel, renovation (as in
rifōmu reform English
ム a building)
リモコン rimokon remo(te) con(trol) remote control English
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

リンクフ
rinku furī link free free to link English
リー
リニュー
rinyūaru renewal remodeling English
アル
secondhand shop (selling
used or unwanted furniture,
household appliances,
housewares, and clothes;
リサイク slightly different from non-
risaikuru
ルショッ recycle shop profit or charity thrift English
shoppu
プ shops in that they are
fundamentally for-profit
shops and perceived as
one way to help reduce
trash)
(noun) restructuring, but
with emphasis on lowering
headcounts as
in downsizing, termination
as a redundancy; (verb) to
downsize, lay off or
リストラ risutora restru(cturing) terminate as a redundancy. English
When used in the passive
(〜される: ~sareru), to get
or have been made
redundant, downsized (out
of a job)
ロードシ roadshow (theatrical premiere, especially of a
rōdo shō English
ョー release) film
ロケーシ
rokēshon
ョンハン
hantingu, location hunting location scout English
ティング, rokehan
ロケハン
novel, something that
ロマン roman roman rouses one's dreams / French
longings
ロマンス romansu
romance grey silver-gray hair English
グレー gurē
Romancecar, a
ロマンス series of limited
romansu kā deluxe train English
カー express trains
operated by
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

the Odakyu Electric

Railway
slang
for Strabismus (crosseyed,
wandering eye), derived
ロンパリ ronpari Lon(don) + Paris from the image of one eye English, French
looking toward London,
and the other eye looking
toward Paris
ロープウ
rōpuwē ropeway ropeway English
ェー
sexual attraction to fictional
and real underage girls,
or ephebophilia.
(reborrowed into English to
ロリコン rorikon Loli(ta) com(plex) English
refer a genre of manga-
style sexual artwork
involving childlike female
characters)
ロスタイ
rosu taimu loss time added time, additional time English
ム
roux, most commonly used
ルー rū roux in describing the sauce of French
the popular dish, curry rice
ルポ rupo repo(rtage) Reportage French
リュック
ryukkusakku Rucksack backpack, Rucksack German
サック
service, often used to
サービス sābisu service describe something as English
being free of charge
sabo(tage) + -
to slack off, to shirk one's French and
サボる saboru ru (Japanese verb
duties Japanese
ending)
sado
(sometimes
サド sadiste sadist French
shortened to
"S")
サイドブ hand brake, parking brake,
saido burēki side brake English
レーキ emergency brake
a kind of soda unrelated to
サイダー saidā cider English
actual cider
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

サイン sain sign signature, autograph English

サインペ marker, Trade
sainpen sign pen English
ン name of Pentel's
サンドイ
sandoitchi,
ッチ or サ sand(wich) sandwich English
sando
ンド
サンドバ
sandobaggu sandbag punching bag English
ッグ
Portuguese or
サラダ sarada salada or salad salad
English
サラリー salaryman: a salaried
sararīman salaried man English
マン office/white collar worker
セックス sekkusu sex sexual intercourse English
セフレ sefure se(x) + frie(nd) casual sexual partner English
sex(ual)
セクハラ sekuhara sexual harassment English
hara(ssment)
glue, adhesive.
セメダイ semedain,
ceme(nt) dyne A genericized trademark of English
ン Cemedine
Cemedine Co., Ltd.
センス sensu sense understanding of subtleties English
used to refer to a rich
セレブ serebu celeb(rity) person, whether or not they English
are famous
セツナ or Sanskrit via
setsuna क्षण (ksana) moment
剎那 Chinese

Old
シャボン Spanish +
shabondama Spanish xabon + Jap soap bubble
玉 anese 玉 (tama, ball)
Japanese

shar(p) pencil or
シャープ shar(p) pen(cil)
shāpu
ペンシル (referring to Sharp
penshiru or mechanical pencil English
or シャー shāpen
Corporation, a
ペン manufacturer of
mechanical pencils)
C.M. (Commercial
シーエム shīemu television commercial English
Message)
シール shīru seal sticker, decal English
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

silver seat (referring

シルバー priority seating on public
shirubā shīto to the silver hair of English
シート elderly passengers)
transportation

シューク
shūkurīmu chou (à la) crème a cream puff French, English
リーム
video game
console or computer
software; also used to
ソフト sofuto soft(ware) describe tasks or work English
(such as design) requiring
imagination, foresight, and
intuition
sofuto
ソフトク
kurīmu soft (ice) cream soft serve (ice cream) English
リーム or softcream
ソーラー sōrā
solar system a solar battery English
システム shisutemu
すべた or unattractive woman
subeta espada Portuguese
スベタ (spade)
スイート
suīto rūmu suite room a suite in a hotel English
ルーム
a bib, said to come from
the name of an American
スカイ sukai sky English
clothing maker who sold
bibs
スケボー sukebō ska(te)bo(ard) skateboard English
スケルト
sukeruton skeleton translucent English
ン
used as a noun to refer
スキー sukī ski English
to skiing
スキンシ skinship (bonding through
sukinshippu skin + -ship English
ップ physical contact)
スコップ sukoppu schop trowel, spade, shovel Dutch
slim, stylish, well-dressed,
スマート sumāto smart English
cool, handsome
スマホ sumaho sma(rt) + (p)ho(ne) smartphone English
When a plan or transaction
スムーズ sumūzu smooth (transaction) English
happens without incident
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

スーパー sūpā super(market) supermarket English

スパッツ, supattsu,
スパッツ supattsu spats, spats tights tights (US), leggings English
タイツ taitsu
used as a noun to mean
スペル superu spell English
"spelling"
a ribbon or tassel on a
スピン supin spin English
book
スポイト supoito spuit syringe, dropper Dutch
three primary female body
スリーサ
surī saizu three size measurements (bust, English
イズ waist, hips)
ストライ sutoraiki or
strike or st(rike) labor strike English
キ or スト suto
ストレー black tea without milk or
sutorēto tī straight tea English
トティー lemon
ストーブ sutōbu stove space heater English
suit actor, an actor who
スーツア
sūtsu akutā suits actor performs wearing a English
クター cartoon-character costume
タバコ, た
ばこ or 煙 tabako tabaco tobacco, cigarette Portuguese
草
タイムオ when a time limit has been
taimu ōbā time over English
ーバー reached
タイムリ a clutch hit (in baseball), on
taimurī timely (hit) English
ー time
a type of blanket made of a
タオルケ towelket (towel +
taoru ketto material similar to a beach English
ット (blan)ket)
or bath towel
タレント tarento talent TV personality/celebrity English
テーマ tēma Thema theme German
テンキー tenkī ten key numeric keypad English
Apparent conflation of
てんぷら Portuguese tempero ("seas
tenpura tempura Portuguese
or 天ぷら oning")
and tempora ("Ember
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

days", a Catholic holiday).

See
also Tempura#Etymology.
テンショ
tenshon tension a state of excitement English
ン
テレビ terebi televi(sion) television English
テレビゲ
terebi gēmu televi(sion) game video game English
ーム
a system that converts
acoustic vibrations to
テレフォ electrical signals in order to
terefon telephone English
ン transmit sound, over a
distance using wire or
radio.
prepaid card for using
テレカ tereka tele(phone) ca(rd) English
public telephones
ティーン
エージャ tīn'ējā Teenager A person in their teens English
ー
точка (tochka)
トーチカ tōchika bunker Russian
(meaning 'point')
トイレ(ッ toilet, bathroom,
toire(tto) toile(t) English
ト) washroom, restroom
"ton," the on'yomi
reading for 豚 (pork)
トンカツ tonkatsu pork cutlet English
+ "katsu" from the
English word "cutlet"
(noun) (legal) trouble, a
トラブル dispute or altercation;
(verb) to encounter or
(noun), ト
toraburu trouble experience trouble, to English
ラブる break down or not function
(verb) as expected (e.g., a
device)
トランプ toranpu trump(s) playing cards English
トレーナ
torēnā trainer a sweat shirt English
ー
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

トレーニ
torēningu pants for toddlers or
ングパン training pants English
pantsu babies; diaper
ツ
ツイッタ
tsuittā twitter twitter apps English
ー
ウィンカ
winkā or turn signal, a.k.a. blinker or
ー or ウイ winker English
uinkā indicator on an automobile
ンカー
ウーパー ūpārūpā or
(s)uper an axolotl English
ルーパー WuperRuper
the aisle (in a Western-
ヴァージ style or Christian wedding
vājin rōdo virgin road English
ンロード ceremony, as followed by
the bridal procession)
ワイドシ
waido shō wide show talk show English
ョー
ワイシャ
Y shirt (modification
ツ or Y シ wai shatsu dress shirt (of any color) English
of "white shirt")
ャツ
of (artificial or boring)
uniformity or conformity,
lacking of (spontaneous)
ワンパタ
wan patān one pattern variation. Used to describe English
ーン behavior and responses as
well as objects. Being "in a
rut"
ワンピー
wan pīsu one piece (a single-piece) dress English
ス
ワープロ wāpuro wor(d) pro(cessor) word processor English
a toilet with a built-
ウォシュ washlet
woshuretto in bidet (a genericized English
レット (wash+(toi)let)
trademark of TOTO Ltd.)
ヨット yotto yacht a sailboat or yacht English
ヤンエグ yan egu youn(g) ex(ecutive) young executive English
ヨード yōdo Jod iodine German
ヨードチ
yōdo chinki Jodtinktur tincture of iodine German
ンキ
 Hepburn
Japane Language of
romanizat Origin Meaning
se origin
ion

ユニット modular bath,

yunitto basu unit bath English
バス prefabricated bath
the rush of traffic and
people, and attendant
traffic jams and crowding of
transportation facilities, that
U ターン
yūtān rasshu u-turn rush occurs as everyone returns English
ラッシュ home after extended
holidays, esp. New
Year's, Golden Week, and
the summer o-bon week.
rope (used in a climbing
ザイル zairu Seil (meaning 'rope') context, in preference to German
the general term 'rōpu')
ゼミナー zemināru or
Seminar or Semi(nar) seminar German
ル or ゼミ zemi
Sanskrit via
ゼン or 禅 zen ध्यान (Dhyāna) a meditation
Chinese
ゼロ zero zéro zero French
トマト tomato tomatl tomato Nahuatl
jupon (meaning pettic trousers (British English),
ズボン zubon French
oat) pants (American English)