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Category: Expressions & Discourse
Browse Japanese loanwords in Expressions & Discourse.
211 entries
アクサングラーブ
akusanguraabu
The accent mark `è`, `à`, or `ù` in French and other languages.
アット
atto
The symbol @ used in email addresses and other notation.
アッパー
appaa
A loanword with several unrelated senses, including 'upper', 'uppercut', and a stimulant.
アディオス
adiosu
A casual goodbye borrowed from Spanish.
アデュー
adeyuu
A formal or literary goodbye borrowed from French.
アドホック
adohokku
Done or created for a specific case, often temporarily.
アナーキー
anaakii
Anarchy; also used as an adjective meaning anarchic or chaotic.
アピール
apiiru
An appeal, plea, or request; also the quality of being attractive or attention-grabbing.
アンチ
anchi
A prefix meaning against, or a colloquial label for someone who dislikes something.
アンドゥトロワ
andutorowa
A phrase meaning 'one, two, three'.
インター
intaa
A clipped colloquial shorthand used in several inter- compounds and as a prefix-like form.
ウィ
wi
An interjection meaning yes.
ウェルカム
werukamu
A welcome greeting or expression of being welcomed.
エイプリルフール
eipurirufuuru
The annual day for pranks on April 1, or a person tricked on that day.
エキサイティング
ekisaitingu
Exciting; thrilling.
エスコート
esukooto
To accompany someone or something, often for protection or guidance.
etc.
etosetora
An abbreviation meaning that similar items continue.
エトワス
etowasu
Used to mean 'somewhat' or 'a little'.
エバー
ebaa
Ever; at any time, or in negative and question contexts.
エロ
ero
Slang for erotic or pornographic content.
オールヴォワール
ooruvowaaru
A French-style farewell used in Japanese.
オールマイティ
oorumaiti
Something all-powerful or, in cards, the highest-value card or a wild card.
オノマトペ
onomatope
A word that imitates a sound.
オフィスラブ
ofisurabu
A romantic relationship at work.
オリエンタル
orientaru
A term used in Japanese as a loanword adjective for things associated with the Orient or East Asia.
オンパレード
onpareedo
A showy display or an array of things in quick succession.
オンリー
onrii
Means only or just; also a historical term for a woman attached to occupation forces.
ガリバー
garibaa
A proper name used figuratively for an outstanding example of something.
キャンセル
kyanseru
The act of canceling, especially canceling a person publicly or socially.
ギブアップ
gibuappu
To stop trying, admit defeat, or surrender.
クイーンズイングリッシュ
kuiinzuingurisshu
Standard, correct, or formal English.
クイズ
kuizu
A short test or set of questions.
クルス
kurusu
A cross mark or cross symbol.
グーテンモルゲン
guutenmorugen
A German greeting used for good morning.
グッド
guddo
Casual praise meaning good or nice.
グラッチェ
guracchie
An informal expression of thanks.
グレーゾーン
gureezoon
An ambiguous area or situation that is neither clearly one thing nor another.
グレート
gureeto
Very good or impressive.
コギトエルゴスム
kogitoerugosumu
A Latin phrase meaning
コミュニケーション
komyunikeeshon
The exchange of information, ideas, or feelings.
コメント
komento
A remark or response; to comment.
コロン
koron
The punctuation mark used before a list, explanation, or quotation.
コンビ
konbi
A pair or duo; a combination of two people or things.
ゴシップ
goshippu
Talk or rumors about other people, often informal and not fully verified.
サイン
sain
A sign, signal, or indication; also an autograph or signature.
サエラ
saera
An expression meaning here and there.
サンキュー
sankyuu
A casual way to say thank you.
ザ
za
A prefix-like use of the to mean quintessential or typical.
シークレット
shiikuretto
A secret thing or matter.
ジェスチャー
jiesuchaa
A gesture or a game of charades.
ジャスト
jasuto
Just, exactly, or right on the mark.
ジュビリー
jubirii
A special celebration marking an important anniversary or milestone.
ジョーク
jooku
A joke or funny remark.
スクエア
sukuea
A loanword for a square shape or open space, and also for a formal, strict, or methodical manner.
ステートメント
suteetomento
A statement or declaration.
スパシーバ
supashiiba
A casual thank-you expression.
スピーチ
supiichi
A formal spoken address or talk.
スローガン
suroogan
A short, memorable phrase used to express an idea or promote something.
セミコロン
semikoron
The punctuation mark ';'.
セルフ
serufu
A clipped form used for self-service or self-acting services.
ダイジェスト
daijiesuto
A condensed version of content, or the act of condensing it.
チェッ
chie
An exclamation of annoyance, disappointment, or mild frustration.
チャネリング
chaneringu
The act of channeling a message, force, or influence through oneself or another medium.
テーブルスピーチ
teeburusupiichi
A brief speech given at a meal or banquet.
テーマ
teema
A theme, topic, or motif; by extension, a project or slogan.
ディスカッション
disukasshon
A discussion or exchange of opinions.
ディベート
dibeeto
A formal debate or discussion.
トレビアン
torebian
An interjection used to express that something is excellent or very good.
トワエモア
towaemoa
An expression meaning 'you and I'.
ドンマイ
donmai
Encouragement used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake or failure.
ナイス
naisu
Used to praise a good action or quality.
ナウ
nau
Trendy or currently doing/at (social media suffix).
ニック
nikku
Shortened form of 'nickname'.
ニックネーム
nikkuneemu
A familiar or humorous name given to a person.
ニュアンス
nyuansu
Subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
ネバーハップン
nebaahappun
Expressing that something is impossible or will not occur.
ノーコメント
nookomento
A phrase used to decline answering a question or providing a statement.
ハイル
hairu
A greeting or exclamation meaning 'hail' or 'live long'.
ハウ
hau
The word 'how' used as a loanword.
ハラショー
harashoo
Exclamation of approval or agreement.
ハロー
haroo
A common greeting used when meeting someone.
バイリンガル
bairingaru
Speaking two languages fluently.
バロンデッセ
barondesse
A project or statement used to test public opinion on a particular issue.
パーレン
paaren
The punctuation marks ( ) used to set off non-essential information.
ヒア
hia
Transcription of the English words 'hear' or 'here'.
ヒント
hinto
Information that helps someone find the answer to a problem or mystery.
ピース
piisu
The V-shaped finger gesture commonly used in photos or as a greeting.
フーズヒー
fuuzuhii
A story or critique focusing on an individual's character.
ファイト
faito
A word of encouragement or a reference to one's drive to succeed.
ブラボー
buraboo
Exclamation used to express approval or praise.
フリートーキング
furiitookingu
Spontaneous, informal discussion without a set topic.
ベーゼ
beeze
A kiss, often used in a literary, dated, or slightly theatrical context.
ボン
bon
French word for 'good', used in Japanese to denote quality or French style.
ボンジュール
bonjuuru
A French greeting used for 'good day' or 'good morning'.
ボンソワール
bonsowaaru
A French greeting used for 'good evening'.
マイ
mai
A prefix meaning personal or one's own.
ムーチョ
muucho
A pre-noun form borrowed from Spanish meaning 'much/many' or 'large amount' in context.
メタフォール
metafooru
A figure of speech that explains one thing by comparing it to another.
メルシー
merushii
A casual way to say thank you.
モンシェリー
monshierii
A French-based affectionate expression used as a form of endearment.
ユー
yuu
Second-person pronoun 'you' used as a loan-style written form.
ラッキー
rakkii
Having good luck or expressing joy at a fortunate event.
ラブレター
raburetaa
A letter expressing romantic feelings to someone.
ラング
rangu
Language as a system (linguistics) or an organ for breathing (anatomy).
リアクション
riakushon
An action or response to a specific stimulus or event.
リクエスト
rikuesuto
An act of asking politely or formally for something.
リップサービス
rippusaabisu
Saying something pleasant or supportive without intending to act on it or meaning it sincerely.
リプライ
ripurai
An answer or response to a communication.
レター
retaa
A written communication or missive sent to another person.
レディーファースト
rediifaasuto
The practice of giving priority to women in social situations.
パジャマコール
pajamakooru
A phone call made late at night, often between friends or lovers.
ホワイトキック
howaitokikku
The awkward, icy silence that occurs when a joke fails to get a laugh.
アヴェマリア
avemaria
A traditional Christian prayer or its musical setting.
アクサンシルコンフレックス
akusanshirukonfurekkusu
A diacritical mark (^) used in French and other languages.
アクサンテギュ
akusantegyu
A diacritical mark (´) used in French and other languages.
オーエス
ooesu
A rhythmic chant used when pulling or lifting together.
TPO
tii-pii-oo
A phrase meaning choosing behavior or attire appropriate to the time, place, and occasion.
スペルミス
superumisu
A mistake made in spelling a word, typically in a foreign language.
ヘブライ
heburai
The Hebrew language or people.
ノー
noo
Used to express negation or the absence of something.
ディスクール
disukuuru
Written or spoken communication or debate, often in a theoretical context.
イラマチオ
iramachio
A sexual act involving aggressive oral penetration.
コンメンタール
konmentaaru
Detailed explanatory notes or critical commentary on a text.
ボンボヤージュ
bonboyaaju
A French-derived greeting used to wish someone a pleasant journey.
ローマナイズ
roomanaizu
The representation of Japanese (or other scripts) in the Latin alphabet.
謝謝
shieshie
Chinese expression for thank you.
你好
niihao
Standard Chinese greeting used in Japanese context.
マンセー
mansee
A celebratory cheer or exclamation, often associated with Korea.
クリシェ
kurishie
An overused phrase or opinion that lacks original thought.
アクサン
akusan
An accent or diacritical mark (acute, grave, circumflex) used in the French language, or syllabic stress.
サブテーマ
sabuteema
A secondary or subordinate topic within a larger theme.
コマンタレブー
komantarebuu
A formal French greeting meaning 'how are you?'.
デー
dee
The word for 'day', often used as a suffix for holidays or specific events.
アイゴー
aigoo
A Korean interjection expressing distress, surprise, or relief.
フリートーク
furiitooku
Conversation or talk without a predetermined topic or structure.
ラブコール
rabukooru
A passionate request or a call to someone based on affection or goodwill.
カサレヴサ
kasarevusa
A conservative, archaizing form of Modern Greek used for official and literary purposes.
デモティキ
demotiki
The everyday, vernacular form of Modern Greek.
コイネー
koinee
Post-classical Greek language.
マハロ
maharo
A Hawaiian expression of gratitude.
ベリースペシャルワンパターン
beriisupesharuwanpataan
A humorous term for someone who always acts or speaks in the exact same predictable way.
没法子
meefaazu
Expression meaning nothing can be done about a situation.
再見
tsuaichien
A parting salutation borrowed from Chinese.
アンニョンハセヨ
annyonhaseyo
Common Korean greeting meaning 'hello'.
ズ
zu
Colloquial suffix used for pluralization or possession.
グラシアス
gurashiasu
A Spanish word for 'thank you' used in Japanese.
ボンジョルノ
bonjoruno
Italian greeting for 'good morning' or 'good day'.
ボナセーラ
bonaseera
Italian greeting for 'good evening'.
ウリ
uri
The first-person plural pronoun (we/us) loaned from Korean.
シャラップ
sharappu
An interjection used to command someone to stop speaking.
ニダ
nida
A humorous or mocking sentence-ending used in Japanese internet slang to mimic Korean speech.
オーレ
oore
An exclamation of approval, encouragement, or triumph.
加油
jaayuu
An expression of encouragement to persist or do one's best.
プロージット
puroojitto
A toast used when drinking to someone's health.
セラヴィ
seravi
An expression used to accept an unpleasant or unavoidable situation.
チャオ
chao
An informal greeting used for both hello and goodbye.
ワンポイントアドバイス
wanpointoadobaisu
A concise, helpful piece of advice focusing on one specific point.
ノーチップ
noochippu
A policy or state of not accepting tips.
テータテート
teetateeto
A private conversation between two people.
ウリナラマンセー
urinaramansee
A patriotic slogan meaning "Hurrah for our nation (Korea)".