Skip to content
False friends when learning Japanese visualisation

False friends when learning Japanese

What are the false friends (false cognates) between languages, with examples
Learn with Comprenders App About Comprenders

When learning Japanese, English speakers often encounter “false friends,” which are words that look or sound similar in both languages but have different meanings. These false friends often arise from the way Japanese incorporates foreign loanwords (gairaigo) or creates pseudo-English terms (wasei-eigo). Below are some notable examples of Japanese-English false friends and their meanings:

Common Japanese-English False Friends

  1. アバウト (abauto)

    • Japanese meaning: Vague, careless, or sloppy.
    • English meaning: About, approximately.
    • In Japanese, this word carries a negative connotation, implying laziness or imprecision 1.

  2. マンション (manshon)

    • Japanese meaning: An apartment or condominium.
    • English meaning: A large, luxurious house or estate.
    • In Japan, a マンション refers to a high-rise apartment building, not a mansion as understood in English 1, 3.

  3. カンニング (kanningu)

    • Japanese meaning: Cheating on an exam.
    • English meaning: Cleverness or craftiness.
    • The Japanese term specifically refers to academic dishonesty rather than general cunning behavior 1, 5.

  4. ホーム (hoomu)

    • Japanese meaning: A train platform (short for プラットホーム).
    • English meaning: Home, a place of residence.
    • While it can occasionally mean “home” in certain contexts, its primary use in Japan is related to train stations 2.

  5. クレーム (kureemu)

    • Japanese meaning: A complaint, especially in customer service contexts.
    • English meaning: A claim or assertion of a right.
    • This word is commonly used in Japan to refer to grievances or complaints 1, [6].

  6. テンション (tenshon)

    • Japanese meaning: Excitement or high energy levels.
    • English meaning: Tension, stress, or strain.
    • In Japanese, the word often has a positive connotation, unlike its English counterpart 2, 4.

  7. スマート (sumaato)

    • Japanese meaning: Slim or stylish.
    • English meaning: Intelligent or clever.
    • In Japan, this word is used to describe physical appearance rather than mental acuity 3, 4.

  8. バイキング (baikingu)

    • Japanese meaning: A buffet-style meal.
    • English meaning: Viking (the Norse explorers).
    • This term originated from a restaurant marketing concept in Japan and has no connection to Norse culture in its Japanese usage 3.

  9. コンセント (konsento)

    • Japanese meaning: An electrical outlet.
    • English meaning: Consent or agreement.
    • The term is derived from “concentric plug” but has no relation to consent in English 3, 4.

  10. ドンマイ (donmai)

    • Japanese meaning: “Never mind” or “It’s okay.”
    • English origin: “Don’t mind.” However, it cannot be used as “Do you mind?” as in English 1.

Why False Friends Occur

False friends between English and Japanese largely result from the adaptation of foreign words into the Japanese language through katakana script, often altering their meanings over time. Additionally, wasei-eigo terms are unique creations that resemble English but carry distinct definitions within Japanese culture.

Tips for Learners

  • Be cautious when encountering familiar-looking words in Japanese; their meanings might differ significantly from their English counterparts.
  • Study common false friends and their contexts to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Practice with native speakers and ask for clarification when unsure about specific terms.

Understanding these differences is essential for effective communication and avoiding potentially awkward situations when speaking Japanese!

References

Open the App About Comprenders