Skip to content
What are some common false friends in Japanese and English visualisation

What are some common false friends in Japanese and English

False friends when learning Japanese: What are some common false friends in Japanese and English
Learn with Comprenders App About Comprenders

False friends between Japanese and English are words that appear similar in pronunciation or spelling but have different meanings in the two languages. These can cause confusion for learners of either language. Here are some common examples:

Common False Friends in Japanese and English

  1. アメリカン (Amerikan)

    • Japanese meaning: Refers to a type of coffee that is weaker or diluted (American-style coffee).
    • English meaning: Pertains to anything related to America or its people.

  2. カンニング (Kanningu)

    • Japanese meaning: Cheating, especially in the context of exams.
    • English meaning: Cunning, which refers to being clever or sly, often with negative connotations.

  3. コンセント (Konsento)

    • Japanese meaning: Electrical outlet.
    • English meaning: Consent, which means agreement or permission.

  4. マンション (Manshon)

    • Japanese meaning: An apartment or condominium.
    • English meaning: A mansion, which is a large, luxurious house.

  5. バイキング (Baikingu)

    • Japanese meaning: A buffet-style meal.
    • English meaning: Refers to Norse explorers, warriors, and traders from the Viking Age.

  6. サイダー (Saidā)

    • Japanese meaning: A carbonated soda, often clear and sweet like lemonade.
    • English meaning: Cider, which can refer to either non-alcoholic apple juice or alcoholic cider.

  7. ナイーブ (Naību)

    • Japanese meaning: Sensitive or delicate.
    • English meaning: Naive, which means lacking experience or being overly trusting.

  8. スマート (Sumāto)

    • Japanese meaning: Slim or stylish.
    • English meaning: Intelligent or clever.

  9. ドライブ (Doraibu)

    • Japanese meaning: Going for a leisurely drive in a car.
    • English meaning: Drive can mean operating a vehicle but also has broader meanings like motivation or energy.

  10. ミシン (Mishin)

    • Japanese meaning: Sewing machine.
    • English meaning: Not a word in English; might be confused with “machine.”

Why These False Friends Occur

False friends often arise due to borrowed words (loanwords), where the original term’s meaning shifts over time in the borrowing language. Japanese borrows many words from English but adapts them to fit its linguistic and cultural context, leading to these mismatches in meaning.

Understanding these false friends is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings when learning Japanese or English.

References

Open the App About Comprenders