#11 Let’s Go on a Hunt for Japanglish! Part1

　Alright, as the title suggests, today we're diving into the topic of Japanglish. It’s a subject that seems to have no end, so I’ll keep sharing fun examples whenever I stumble across them. I’m sure many of you, while studying Japanese or chatting with Japanese people, have come across words that sound like English but left you scratching your head. Ever had that experience where your Japanese friend confidently uses an English-sounding word, assuming it’ll make perfect sense, but you find yourself totally confused? Haha

What is Japanglish (Japanese-made English)?

　Japanglish refers to words or phrases that Japanese people have borrowed from foreign languages or created by combining existing words in unique ways.
There are generally two main ways new words are born:

1. Creating something entirely new

2. Borrowing from another language

　In modern Japan, where new concepts and products are constantly being introduced, it's often faster and more convenient to borrow terms directly from foreign languages than to create brand-new Japanese words.
　
　However, during this process, some interesting things happen: Japanese speakers, who may not have a full understanding of the original foreign language (in this case, English), end up using borrowed words with slightly or entirely different nuances. Sometimes the meaning may have been correct at first, but even as the term falls out of use or changes meaning abroad, it continues to be used in Japan in its original form.

　This mismatch between what Japanglish words mean to Japanese speakers and what they mean to native English speakers has led to a gap in understanding. Japanglish words often carry a meaning in Japan that is different from how they are perceived internationally.

　But, putting aside the long explanation, let me just say that as someone who has confidently used Japanglish and found myself misunderstood, or learned the hard way that a word I thought had one meaning actually carried a different nuance for native English speakers, I’ve gathered quite a few examples of Japanglish. And I’d like to share these with you!

1 ジェットコースター (Jet Coaster)

　This is what we call a roller coaster. There are a few theories about how the name "jet coaster" came about, but one popular explanation is that the ride was named for its incredible speed, likened to that of a jet plane. In the 1950s, when roller coasters first appeared in Japan, passenger jets were also becoming more widespread, sparking public fascination. This newfound interest in jet planes may have helped the name “jet coaster” stick in people’s minds. It’s a fascinating word that reflects history!

2 ゲームセンター (Game Centre)

　This is what we call an arcade. When we talk about an arcade in places like Singapore or other parts of Asia, we’re referring to a space in shopping malls filled with large gaming machines, where you pay per play.
　
　However, in Japan, the word “arcade” specifically refers to a covered shopping street with a European-style arched ceiling, rather than a place for games.

3 カンニング (Cunning)

　In English, cunning refers to being clever in a deceptive or sly way, like in the phrase "a cunning plan."

　However, in Japanese, "カンニング(cunning)" is used specifically to mean cheating during an exam, such as looking at someone else’s answers or using hidden notes. Interestingly, in Japanese, "カンニング" is used as both a noun and a verb, such as in "カンニングペーパー(cheat sheet)" or "試験でカンニングする(to cheat in an exam)." It’s a very specialised term, only used in this kind of context. This limited, niche use is quite a characteristic of many Katakana words, which is what makes us so intriguing!

4 チート (Cheat)

　In Japanese, “cheat” refers specifically to cheating or exploiting in the context of video games. It’s used to describe unfair methods that give a player an advantage, such as using cheat codes or hacking tools. You can not use to mean cheating in a relationship.

　For example, using "cheats" to gain unlimited lives, infinite money, or to easily defeat opponents in a game is considered "チート" in Japan. While I’m not much of a gamer myself, I’ve definitely heard about these kinds of practices. haha

　Interestingly, the meaning of "チート" has expanded beyond gaming. It’s now often used to describe overpowered characters in manga or anime. A great example is from the globally popular manga Jujutsu Kaisen, where the character 五条悟 Gojo Satoru is introduced as the strongest from the start. In this case, people might say, "五条の能力はチートだよ (Gojo’s abilities are totally チート)!" It’s no longer about cheating, but more a way of acknowledging that a character is unbelievably strong, almost unfairly so compared to others.

　It’s fascinating to see how the meaning of "チート" has evolved, especially with its use in pop culture!

5 スタンプ (Stamp)

　In English, "stamp" typically refers to a physical stamp, such as a rubber stamp used for marking documents or a postage stamp. In Japanese, "stamp" can also refer to these, like the stamps you get on loyalty cards in shops or the decorative stamps available at tourist spots featuring local designs. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, Katakana words in Japanese often carry a stylish, playful connotation, leaning towards leisure activities. For more official settings, like at government offices or in companies, physical stamps are referred to with the formal term "hanko(判子)" in kanji.

　A major difference between the two languages is how we use "stamp" to refer to the images or illustrations in messaging apps in Japan. In English, these are called stickers. The idea of a "stamp" in the sense of leaving a mark has been creatively adapted by Japanese speakers, and now most people refer to app stickers as "stamps". For example, the stickers on LINE, which practically everyone in Japan uses, are called LINE stamps.

Summary

　The phenomenon of Japanglish often occurs in countries where English is not the first language, or where relatively few people are fluent in it. From a Japanese perspective, it’s difficult to grasp the exact nuances of words used overseas. Even if the meaning shifts over time, people may not notice immediately. On top of that, the meaning of these borrowed words sometimes gets expanded or altered within Japan itself. This is how Japanglish develops, creating words that gradually drift away from their original English usage.

　There may be pros and cons to this, but personally, I find it fascinating. It's an enjoyable process, watching how foreign words are absorbed into the Japanese language and evolve into something new and uniquely Japanese.

　I hope that as you study Japanese, you’ll also have fun spotting the differences between Japanglish and the original foreign terms.

Thank you for reading!