Translation guide
A word borrowed from another language. In Japanese, loanwords are typically written in katakana and often come from English, but also from other languages. This guide helps you understand how to refer to loanwords and how they function in Japanese.
How to say 'loanword' or 'borrowed word' in Japanese
The standard term for a loanword, especially one from a foreign language that has been adopted into Japanese. Often refers to words written in katakana.
日本語にはたくさんの外来語があります。
There are many loanwords in Japanese.
A more technical term for 'borrowed word', used in linguistics. It can refer to loanwords from any language, including Chinese.
借用語の研究は言語学の一部です。
The study of loanwords is part of linguistics.
Literally 'katakana word', often used to refer to loanwords written in katakana, especially those from Western languages.
カタカナ語が多すぎて、意味がわからない。
There are too many katakana words; I don't understand the meaning.
How to incorporate or identify loanwords when speaking or writing Japanese
When using a loanword from English or other Western languages, write it in katakana. Pronunciation is adapted to Japanese phonetics.
コンピューターを使います。
I use a computer.
Some words sound like English but were created in Japan and may not be understood by English speakers. For example, サラリーマン (salaryman) means 'office worker'.
Don't assume all katakana words are direct English equivalents.
サラリーマンは毎日電車で通勤します。
Office workers commute by train every day.
Japanese also has loanwords from Portuguese, Dutch, German, French, etc. They are also written in katakana.
パンはポルトガル語から来た外来語です。
'Pan' (bread) is a loanword from Portuguese.
If you see a word in katakana that resembles an English word, it's likely a loanword. However, the meaning might be slightly different or more specific than in English.
Some loanwords have different meanings in Japanese. For example, マンション (manshon) means 'apartment', not 'mansion'.
彼は高級マンションに住んでいます。
He lives in a luxury apartment.