What Does Do You Know What I Mean in Japan
'Say what?' xx Absurd Words that But Exist in Japanese
Date published: xv October 2020
Terminal updated: 17 February 2021
There are loads of funny, colorful, and cool Japanese words that only don't accept a straight translation into English.
Nihon has a long and rich history, and its famously complex language reflects that. The language of a land can give you perspective on and insight into the culture and attitudes of the people that utilize information technology.
Naturally, there are a plethora of words in Japanese that simply don't have a one-to-one English equivalent. They range all the style from the hilarious to the poetic to the spiritual.
These absurd Japanese words are all sure to put a smile on your confront, and most if not all will have you lot wondering, "why don't we take a word for that in English language!?"
1. KY (adj.)
The English letters 'KY' are used as a shorthand for the Japanese phrase "kūki yomenai", meaning "can't read the room," or more literally, "tin't read the air." You lot can say a person is KY if they are socially bad-mannered or inappropriate.
Nihon has a very high context civilization, which means that a lot of social interactions involve suggesting things indirectly, inferring implied significant, and non speaking frankly or saying things outright.
If this is at odds with your own cultural background, you might find Japanese chat a little challenging to navigate at first! In the concurrently, you may, unfortunately, exist a little on the KY side as far as natives are concerned.
2. 木漏れ日 Komorebi (northward.)
This beautiful word refers to the light that filters through the trees, dappling the wood floor. It'south a poetic discussion that evokes imagery of a peaceful, natural scene. Next time yous're out for a stroll in the woods, take a moment to appreciate the gently shifting komorebi and marvel at the fact that there'due south no word for it in English language!
iii. わびさび Wabi-sabi (n.)
Wabi-sabi is the very Japanese style of fine art and aesthetics emphasizing simplicity and restraint. It is an appreciation of the beauty of imperfections and impermanence. Things and fine art that fall into this category are mostly very simple just inspire a feeling of at-home. Wabi-sabi brings to heed things like humble shrines and roughly made pottery.
4. 別腹 Betsu bara (north.)
Anyone with a sweet molar tin relate to the mystery of the betsu bara, or "split stomach." This handy noun refers to the mysterious extra room you find y'all have for dessert afterward a large repast.
While the science behind said phenomenon is actually known, this amusing give-and-take is perfect for explaining sheepishly why no, you're not washed eating cheers very much, and you don't care for the judgment. (OK, mayhap 'dessert stomach' is somewhat similar, only now y'all know Japan has a word for information technology too!)
five. 森林浴 Shinrinyoku (n.)
Literally "forest bathing," shinrinyoku is the act of going into a wood to unwind and breathe in the fresh air. The refreshing feeling of spending fourth dimension in nature and away from civilisation is widely known to be adept for your mental wellness, so how is it that nosotros don't take a give-and-take like this in English? If you haven't yet, definitely endeavor some shinrinyoku therapy; information technology is complimentary, afterwards all.
half dozen. 積ん読 Tsundoku (due north.)
Tsundoku is made up of the words "tsun," here meaning "pile up," and "doku," pregnant "to read." Book lovers are probably all guilty of this ane, as it refers to the deed of buying lots of books and non reading them, leading to a pile of unread books.
If you've simply realized that you've got a scrap of a tsundoku habit, let this exist a sign that y'all should crack open up a book or two!
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 they've "aged like a fine wine."
Young people nowadays merely honey former, weathered things like exposed brick or ripped jeans. As an appreciation of all things shibui gets more widespread, the demand for a give-and-take to draw it could potentially follow!
8. 過労死 Karōshi (north.)
This nighttime word is somewhat well known in the English language-speaking globe these days, but is worth mentioning to sympathize some of the force per unit area that has arisen in some corners of the working world.
Defined as "expiry from working too much/overwork," karōshi doesn't just mean dying of stress-induced natural causes; information technology includes everything from keeling over at your desk because yous've had a heart attack to even as far as taking your own life considering your chore is too stressful.
A tragic karōshi incident in 2015 got a lot of companies reevaluating the amount of pressure being put on employees. Hopefully, things will improve soon, and i 24-hour interval this word won't however be around.
9. 紅葉 Kōyō (northward.)
Perhaps best translated equally "fall foliage," this succinct word describes the brilliant colors of the leaves in autumn. While not incommunicable to translate or at least describe, the fall leaves are definitely a bigger deal in Japan than in most other places as the rich cerise leafage hither is just so beautiful. Every yr people travel far and wide to see the most gorgeous leaves from the best vantage points.
10. 口寂しい Kuchisabishī (north. + adj.)
This charming phrase means that your "mouth is lone," and describes eating out of boredom rather than hunger. Nosotros've all had an unwarranted treat when there'due south been nothing else to practise, but for some reason simply didn't have quite the right give-and-take to describe this absentminded munching until today! Maybe giving this bad habit a proper noun will make it easier to cease...
11. 猫舌 Nekojita (n.)
Japanese people really similar their food and drinks to be piping hot, as in hot enough to cause moderate damage. Those bottom mortals who have to blow on their lava-like food before eating it are said to have a "nekojita," or a "cat natural language." This somewhat surreal word is said to take originated in the Edo period and is based on the fact that cats (allegedly) don't 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 discussion "communication", and refers to "advice while drinking" (specifically alcohol). Tabaccomunication comes from the words "tobacco" and "advice," and unsurprisingly means "communication while smoking."
These tin both be seen every bit pretty important in a lot of jobs in Nihon. They generally refer to things similar talking business over drinks with colleagues afterward work or having a chat while on a smoke intermission. While these can sometimes be effective networking skills in Japan, they certainly aren't recommended for health reasons, and it seems younger generations are starting to stray away.
13. 三日坊主 Mikka Bōzu (n.)
This means "three-solar day monk," and refers to someone who gives up or gave up on something very rapidly. Information technology can also have the nuance of initially starting with much passion and intensity, only to then falter very fast. Buddhist monks take quite a strict routine of extremely early mornings, cleaning, and tough training, and then throughout history, quite a few people have understandably thrown in the towel early on.
fourteen. ありがた迷惑 Arigatameiwaku (n.)
Arigatameiwaku is a combination of the words "arigatai" and "meiwaku," which hateful "grateful" and "nuisance" respectively. This is used to describe a very specific situation in which a person goes out of their manner to do something for you that y'all didn't want them to practise in the first place. This "favor" ends up causing issues for you, but social norms force y'all to prove gratitude anyhow.
Most people have probably met someone who was insistent on being "helpful" even when nobody wanted them to be. For example, a computer illiterate yet confident family fellow member who tries to practise things for yous on your laptop that you lot definitely could take done faster. These are the sorts of people that cause a lot of arigatameiwaku, oblivious to the true feelings of everyone forced to dust their teeth and hiss thanks at them.
15. 生きがい Ikigai (n.)
A combination of "ikiru," significant "to live," and "gai," meaning "reason," your ikigai is, therefore, your reason for living or purpose in life. Your ikigai could be a hobby yous're passionate about, a special person or pet in your life, or some globe-irresolute activism. Whatever it is, it gets you out of bed and lights a fire under y'all, then make time for your ikigai as much every bit possible!
If you lot've realized while reading that you might exist a bit of a mikka bōzu, perchance you merely oasis't found your ikigai withal!
16. 木枯らし Kogarashi (northward.)
This is the outset cold current of air you feel in autumn that lets you lot know winter is fast budgeted. It means "foliage-shaking wind," and it might have you shaking too! Depending on your feelings about winter, the coming of kogarashi is either heady or foreboding. Nicely reflecting a lot of Japanese civilization, this word is both poetic and applied.
Every linguistic communication has its ain quirks that make them interesting and unique, and Japanese is no exception. With a great assortment of humorous and descriptive words for everyday life, as well as for highly specific situations, learning Japanese is a fun and rewarding way of learning about a people and culture with a fascinating history and present.
Take this as both a language and a culture lesson in one; when you lot come to Japan, you know now why it'south important not to exist KY or a kucharā! And if you go for some rejuvenating shinrinyoku while you lot're here, make sure to savour the komorebi and kōyō that you lot might not have appreciated as much before they were pointed out to you.
17. ばたんきゅう Batan-kyū
Batan-kyū has fallen somewhat out of use, just is an onomatopoeia that is generally 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.
"Batan" denotes the "flop", where you fall onto bed, and "kyū" describes the stillness that follows, when you lot fall straight to sleep. Think nigh the last time you came home from piece of work and without even having dinner you cruel straight into bed... And then the side by side thing you knew information technology was morning!
Our terminal three words have mostly fallen out of employ, but are pretty interesting insights into what was popular at the time.
xviii. 物の哀れ Mono no Aware (n.)
Mono no aware is very similar to wabi-sabi, only is an older give-and-take that is not used as much now. It refers to appreciating the bittersweet impermanence of something's fleeting beauty since aught lasts forever. It'due south very in line with the Buddhist idea of being in the moment and letting things get, although it also suggests a sort of wistfulness.
While both of these words are on the more quondam-fashioned side, the untranslated phrase mono no aware appears in one of Marie Kondo's books, so maybe it'due south time for a improvement?
19. キープ君 Go on-kun (n.)
This ane might seem a petty harsh, merely a Keep-kun is a placeholder boyfriend who is just kept around until someone better shows up. The unfortunate characterization comprises the English give-and-take "keep," and the Japanese honorific "kun," which is a suffix added to men's names to testify amore or closeness.
Accept heart in the fact that this word is generally but used past older generations and has mostly fallen out of popular use. Hopefully, that means there are fewer poor souls being used as Keep-kuns!
20. クチャラー Kucharā (n.)
The give-and-take kucharā is a picayune dated, merely it refers to a person who chews with their mouth open.
Japanese is absolutely chockablock with onomatopoeias, and the one for the sound fabricated by chewing with your mouth open is kucha-kucha. Add that to the English suffix -er, equally in "player" or "worker," and you've got a perfect succinct give-and-take for noisy eaters.
While eating with your mouth open is acceptable in some cultures, in Nippon it is considered quite rude. Slurping your noodles, on the other hand, is A-okay! Then slurp away and and then close your mouth to chew. Table manners vary a lot from country to country, so make sure to read up on eating dos and don'ts before jumping on a airplane to Nippon!
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*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
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Source: https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_suburbs/article-a0004478/
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