10 Japanese Words That Do Not Exist in English (That Are Actually Useful)
- AS
- Jul 10, 2019
- 3 min read
In every language, there are words and phrases that are unique to its own – and Japanese is no exception. In fact, there are so many words in Japanese with subtle nuances that can easily confuse non-native speakers.
Here are 10 words that are commonly used in Japan, but have no exact translation in English.
1.反省(はんせい) = han-sei
This word is roughly translated to “self-reflection” or “introspection". The word is used to describe a person deeply regretting his or her past decision/words/actions and reminding themselves not to repeat their mistakes. It's a more somber take on "self-reflection", if that makes sense.
Example sentence:
これから反省します。
(Ko-reh-ka-ra han-sei shi-masu)
= I will han-sei from now.
2. こもれび = ko-mo-reh-bi
This is a word used to describe sunshine filtering through leaves of trees. It's a very beautiful word, and one of my favourite words to pronounce.
Example sentence:
こもれびの中（なか）に動物（どうぶつ）がいます。
(ko-mo-reh-bi no naka-ni dou-bu-tsu ga ima-su.)
= There is an animal in the ko-mo-reh-bi.
3. ありがた迷惑（めいわく）= ari-gata-mei-wa-koo
This word is used to describe a situation where someone does a "favour" for you that you didn't want them to do, but they went ahead with it anyway thinking you had wanted them to do it. It's a little complicated, but I think everyone has been in that situation, right? This is just a useful word to know to describe that exact situation.
Example sentence:
彼（かれ）の行動（こうどう）はありがた迷惑（めいわく）であった。
(ka-reh no ko-doh wa ari-gata-mei-wa-koo deh-atta)
= His actions were ari-gata-mei-wa-koo.
4. 微妙(びみょう) = bi-myo
(source: https://eikaiwa-highway.com/iffy/)
This word can be translated to “subtle”, but is used mainly in conversations when something went ok or so-so. For instance, say you got asked about your recent dinner date, and you can say it was 微妙・・・ to let them know it went ok, but not amazing.
Example Sentence:
このケーキ（けーき）、微妙（びみょう）だよね。
(ko-no ke-ki, bi-myo da-yo ne)
= This cake tastes bi-myo.
5. ボケッと = bo-keh-tto
(source: http://ure.pia.co.jp/articles/-/49733)
The act of just chilling without thinking or doing anything productive.
Example Sentence:
ボケッとしていたら、１日（にち）が終（お）わってしまった。
(Bo-keh-tto shi-teh-i-tara, ichi-nichi ga owatte-shimatta)
= I have been bo-keh-tto the entire day, and now the day is over.
6. 別腹(べつばら) = betsu-bara
Directly translated to “different stomach”, this word is used to describe a situation when you have room for desserts after eating a big dinner. . Totally relatable, isn't it?
Example Sentence:
お腹（なか）いっぱいでも、デザート（でざーと）は別腹（べつばら）だよ。
(onaka ippai demo, deh-zaa-to wa betsu-bara dayo)
= Although I am full, dessert would be betsu-bara.
7. 過労死（かろうし）= ka-ro-shi
Translated as death caused by overworking. As unfortunate as it sounds, yes, this is actually a word in Japanese, and yes, this is a legitimate issue in Japan.
Example Sentence:
私（わたし）の同期（どうき）は過労死（かろうし）で亡（な）くなった。
(Watashi-no doh-ki wa ka-ro-shi deh naku-natta)
= My co-worker had passed away due to ka-ro-shi.
8. 教育（きょういく）ママ = kyo-iku-ma-ma
(source: https://mamasup.me/articles/22011)
This word is used to describe a mother who is obsessed with her child’s education. It is directly translated as "education mom".
Example Sentence:
私（わたし）の母（はは）は教育（きょういく）ママであった。
(Watashi no ha-ha wa kyo-iku ma-ma deh atta)
= My mother was a kyo-iku ma-ma.
9. しょうがない = sho-ga-na-i
(source: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/144359)
This word is used to describe an inevitable situation, and one that cannot be helped. It has a similar meaning to the English phrase, "it is what it is."
Example Sentence:
風邪（かぜ）をひいて学校（がっこう）を休（やす）んだのは、しょうがないね。
(ka-ze wo hii-teh gakko wo yasunnda no-wa, sho-ga-na-i neh)
= It is sho-ga-na-i that you had to skip school, since you were sick.
10. 猫舌（ねこじた）= neko-jita
(source: https://cat.studiogaki.com/cat-tongue/)
When you are cautious about eating steamy hot food because you burn your tongue too easily. Literally translated to “cat’s tongue”.
Example Sentence:
猫舌（ねこじた）なので、気（き）をつけて食（た）べます。
(neko-jita na-no-deh, ki-wo-tsu-keh-teh ta-beh-masu)
= I will eat carefully because I have neko-jita.
Lastly...
Japanese language is full of interesting words and phrases that are uniquely its own. Knowing these words and phrases may come in handy, and would definitely impress your Japanese friends and coworkers!
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