和製英語
Wasei-eigo (和製英語, meaning "made-in-Japan English") are Japanese-language expressions based on English words, or parts of word combinations, that do not exist in standard English or whose meanings differ from the words from which they were derived.
Wasei-eigo are generally written in Katakana ("カタカナ"). The name contains English ("eigo") but some of them are originally from other European languages. My English teacher used to tell me that I should not use Wasei-eigo to native speakers since there are other appropriate English words. It also makes misunderstandings sometimes. On the other hand, if you're learning Japanese, these words are relatively easy to master.
Below is a list of Wasei-eigo for both English and Japanese learners with some Tips.
ア行
Up "de" アップ（で）
When it is used in the photo or video shooting scene, it means zoom-in.
『アップで撮ります。』(I'll zoom in.)
After service アフターサービス
customer service, user support, aftersales service
"Arubaito" アルバイト
part-time job. Originally from German Arbeit (meaning 'work').
Eat-in イートイン
eat out food and drinks in a casual style, for here
Tips: In Japan, the consumption tax rate differs between to-go (8%) and for here (10%). When you use eat-in spaces in convenience stores, it's recommended to declare it at the cashier.
『イートインで』(Eat-in "de") = for here
Winker ウィンカー
turn signal (UK), blinker(US)
Aircon エアコン
air conditioner (can't live without it in summer)
カ行
Gasoline stand ガソリンスタンド
gas station
Guard man ガードマン
security guard
"Kanningu" カンニング
cheating
Tips: In English, cunning means something like achieving a goal by a clever but deceptive method. (In Japanese: ずるい "Zurui").
Cool Biz クールビズ
casual office clothing during the summer
Tips: The Cool Biz campaign was initiated by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment in summer 2005 as a means to help reduce Japanese electricity consumption by limiting the use of air conditioning. This idea was proposed by the then-Minister Yuriko Koike, current Tokyo governor, under the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichirō Koizumi.
”Kurakushon” クラクション
(car) horn
Claim クレーム
complaint
"Konkūru" コンクール
a contest, a competition
Consent コンセント
outlet (US), socket(UK)
サ行
Sign サイン
signature
Salaryman サラリーマン
office worker.
Tips: Shimbasi is known as サラリーマンの聖地 (salaryman's mecca).
Three sizes スリーサイズ
measurements
"Sero tape" セロテープ
scotch tape
タ行
Touch panel タッチパネル
touch screen
"Dan" ball 段ボール
cardboard
Take-out テイクアウト
to-go (US), take-away(UK)
Tips: Instead of "Take-out", you can say "持ち帰りで" (mochi-kaeri de).
Table charge テーブルチャージ
cover charge
Trainer トレーナー
sweatshirt
ナ行
Naive ナイーブ
sensitive
Tips: "You are naive" in Japanese is a compliment. So don't be upset.
Nighter ナイター
night game
Tips: There are other baseball-related Wasei-eigo. For example, "ホームラン" (home run) is called "inside-the-park home run" in English. "さよならホームラン" (SAYONARA home run) is "walk-off home run". "デッドボール" (dead ball) is "hit by a pitch".
No sleeve ノースリーブ
sleeveless
Note "Pasocon" ノートパソコン／ノートPC
laptop
ハ行
High touch ハイタッチ
high five
High tension ハイテンション
excited
Viking バイキング
buffet
Tips: all-you-can-eat is 食べ放題 ("Tabe hodai"), all-you-can-drink is 飲み放題("Nomi hodai").
Paker パーカー
hooded sweatshirt
Bargain バーゲン
sale
Version up バージョンアップ
upgrade, update
Tips: ～ up means to increase or improvement, for example, パワーアップ ("power up")、スコアアップ ("score up")、イメージアップ ("image up"), etc...
Paneller パネラー
panel, panelist, panelist
"Pea man" ピーマン
green pepper
"Biniiru bukuro" ビニール袋／"Reji bukuro" レジ袋
plastic bag
Tips: Due to the plastic bag charge policy, now you'll be asked at every cashier if you need a plastic bag. Please say,
『レジ袋要りません』(”Reji Bukuro Irimasen”) = I no need a plastic bag.
Fried potato フライドポテト
french fries(US), chips(UK)
Blind touch ブラインドタッチ
touch-typing
Free size フリーサイズ
one-size-fits-all
Freeter フリーター
part-time worker
Free dial フリーダイヤル
toll-free call
Front フロント
Reception desk
Paper company ペーパーカンパニー
dummy (company)
Hotchkiss ホッチキス
stapler (a genericized trademark of the E. H. Hotchkiss company)
Ball pen ボールペン
ballpoint pen
Home center ホームセンター
home improvement store
Home page ホームページ
webpage, website
マ行
My number マイナンバー
individual number
Tips: Social Security number system in the USA is a similar system. The Japanese government has not succeeded to implement a numbering system yet. My number has been notified already but each person needs to apply for my number card. To boost the number of applications, my number point campaign is undergoing.
Mansion マンション
apartment, condominium
Tips: Generally "マンション購入" (purchasing mansion) in Japanese means purchasing a condominium, not a luxury house.
ヤ行
Unit bath ユニットバス
modular bath
ラ行
Live house ライブハウス
music pub
Reform リフォーム
renovate
"Renji" レンジ
microwave
ワ行
One-piece ワンピース
dress
Tips: Among the young generation, one piece is popular manga, not clothes.