English words that mean something else in Japanese

Wasei-eigo (和製英語) means “English made in Japan.” These words look English and come from English, but Japanese uses them with a different meaning. Learners who use the English meaning are often misunderstood, so check the English word before you use it.

111 reviewed false friends, A to Z.

• adult English: a person who is fully grown or has reached the legal age to be responsible for themselves. In Japanese, アダルト usually means “sexual, for adults only”. In English, an adult is simply a grown-up person, and the word usually has no sexual meaning.
• affiliate English: a small company or organization that is part of a larger one. In Japanese, アフィリエイト usually means “online advertising commission program”. In English, an affiliate is usually a person or group officially connected to a larger organization, not only a way to earn money from online ads.
• appeal English: a formal request to a higher court to change a decision made by a lower court. In Japanese, アピール usually means “promoting or showing off oneself”. In English, appeal usually means a serious request for help, a request to change a legal decision, or being attractive, not showing off your good points.
• bargain English: something bought for a much lower price than usual. In Japanese, バーゲン usually means “a store sale event”. In English, a bargain is something you buy at a good low price, and a store event with low prices is called a sale.
• Basque English: a person from the region in the western Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France. In Japanese, バスク usually means “the Basque region or people”. In English, a basque with a small letter is also a tight piece of women's underwear, not only the region or its people.
• bazaar English: a large market with many small shops and stalls, especially in the Middle East or South Asia. In Japanese, バザー usually means “a charity or rummage sale”. In English, a bazaar is usually a big market street with many shops, often in the Middle East or Asia, and not only a charity sale.
• bike English: a vehicle with two wheels that you move by pushing pedals with your feet. In Japanese, バイク usually means “a motorcycle or scooter”. In English, bike usually means a bicycle, and you say motorbike for a motorcycle.
• billboard English: a very large board used for showing advertisements outdoors, especially next to a road. In Japanese, ビルボード usually means “the US music chart”. In English, a billboard is usually a large advertising sign next to a road.
• break English: to separate something into two or more pieces, often by accident. In Japanese, ブレイク usually means “suddenly become very popular”. In English, break usually means to damage something or to stop for a rest, not to become famous.
• celebrity English: a person who is very famous, especially in movies, music, or sports. In Japanese, セレブ usually means “rich, high-class person”. In English a celebrity is a famous person, such as an actor or singer, and the word does not mean rich or luxurious.
• circle English: a perfectly round shape like a ring or a wheel. In Japanese, サークル usually means “a student club or hobby group”. In English, a circle is mainly a round shape, and a university hobby group is usually called a club, not a circle.
• claim English: to say that something is true, even though you have not proved it yet. In Japanese, クレーム usually means “a complaint”. In English, claim means to say something is true or to ask for something that is yours; to complain is complain.
• cleaning English: the activity of removing dirt or making a place tidy. In Japanese, クリーニング usually means “dry cleaning, laundry shop”. In English, cleaning usually means making a room or thing clean; the shop that washes clothes is the dry cleaner's.
• combine English: to put two or more things together to make one single thing. In Japanese, コンバイン usually means “combine harvester (farm machine)”. In English, combine is mostly a verb that means to join or mix things together.
• complex English: having many different parts and being difficult to understand. In Japanese, コンプレックス usually means “feeling of inferiority”. In English, complex as an adjective means complicated or having many parts, not a feeling that you are not good enough.
• component English: one of the individual parts that makes up a machine or a piece of equipment. In Japanese, コンポ usually means “home stereo system”. In English, a component is any part of a machine or system, not a music player.
• condominium English: a building or complex where people own their individual apartments instead of renting them. In Japanese, コンドミニアム usually means “holiday apartment with kitchen”. In English, a condominium is an apartment that people own and live in, not a place you stay on vacation.
• cornering English: to force someone into a small space or difficult situation where they cannot easily escape. In Japanese, コーナリング usually means “a vehicle taking a curve”. In English, cornering usually means trapping someone so they cannot escape, not only driving around a curve.
• crawl English: to move along the ground on your hands and knees. In Japanese, クロール usually means “front crawl swimming stroke”. In English, crawl usually means to move on your hands and knees, like a baby, or to move very slowly.
• custom English: a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time in a group of people. In Japanese, カスタム usually means “customized, specially modified”. As a noun, custom usually means a tradition or habit; for something made for one person, say custom-made or customized.
• date English: a specific day of the month and year. In Japanese, デート usually means “a romantic meeting”. In English, date most often means a day of the month or year, like the date on a letter.
• denomination English: a specific branch or group within a larger religion. In Japanese, デノミ usually means “changing a currency's unit value”. In English, denomination usually means a religious group or the value of a coin or bill, not a change to a currency.
• downtown English: the main business and shopping area of a city. In Japanese, ダウンタウン usually means “old working-class town area”. In English, downtown means the busy center of a city with shops and offices, not an old or poor part of town.
• dubbing English: the process of recording a new voice for a movie or show so people can hear it in their own language. In Japanese, ダビング usually means “copying a recording”. In English, dubbing usually means replacing the voices in a film with another language, not copying a tape or disc.
• earring English: a piece of jewellery that you wear on your ear. In Japanese, イヤリング usually means “clip-on earring”. In English, an earring is any jewelry worn on the ear, and most earrings are for pierced ears.
• facsimile English: a copy of a document or book that looks exactly like the original. In Japanese, ファクシミリ usually means “a fax machine or fax”. In English, a facsimile is usually an exact copy of an old book or document, not a fax.
• fever English: a body temperature that is higher than normal because you are ill. In Japanese, フィーバー usually means “craze, wild excitement”. In English, fever usually means a high body temperature when you are sick.
• fight English: an occasion where people use physical force against each other. In Japanese, ファイト usually means “Go for it! (cheer)”. In English, fight means a physical struggle or an argument, and people do not shout it to encourage someone.
• finder English: a person who discovers something that was lost or hidden. In Japanese, ファインダー usually means “camera viewfinder”. In English, a finder is usually a person who finds something, not the part of a camera you look through.
• flag English: a piece of cloth with a special design that represents a country, group, or organization. In Japanese, フラグ usually means “sign of a coming event”. In English, a flag is mainly a piece of cloth with a design for a country or group.
• floppy English: soft and loose instead of firm or stiff. In Japanese, フロッピー usually means “a floppy disk”. In English, floppy is an adjective for something soft that hangs or bends loosely, and the computer disk is called a floppy disk.
• flying English: the activity of traveling in an aircraft or moving through the air. In Japanese, フライング usually means “a false start in a race”. In English, flying means traveling through the air, and a start before the signal is called a false start.
• follow English: to move behind someone or something that is going in front of you. In Japanese, フォロー usually means “helping or covering for someone”. In English, follow usually means to go behind someone or to obey, not to help someone after a mistake.
• foundation English: the strong part of a building that is under the ground and supports the weight of the walls. In Japanese, ファンデーション usually means “face makeup base”. In English, foundation usually means the base of a building or an idea, or an organization that gives money; the makeup meaning is less common.
• front English: the part of something that faces forward or is seen first. In Japanese, フロント usually means “hotel reception desk”. In English, front means the part of something that faces forward; a hotel desk is called the front desk or reception.
• gorgeous English: extremely beautiful or attractive to look at. In Japanese, ゴージャス usually means “luxurious, lavish, showy”. In English, gorgeous usually means very beautiful or attractive, not expensive or showy.
• gown English: a long, beautiful dress that a woman wears to a very formal party or event. In Japanese, ガウン usually means “bathrobe or dressing gown”. In English, a gown is usually a long formal dress for special events, not something you wear after a bath.
• ground English: the solid surface of the earth that you walk on. In Japanese, グラウンド usually means “sports field, school playground”. In English, ground usually means the surface of the earth under your feet, and a place for sports is usually called a field.
• guidance English: help or advice given to you by someone who has more experience or knowledge. In Japanese, ガイダンス usually means “orientation or information session”. In English, guidance means help or advice, and a meeting that explains things to new people is called an orientation.
• half English: one of two equal parts that make up a whole. In Japanese, ハーフ usually means “person of mixed race”. In English, half is not used for a person with parents from two countries, so say mixed-race or half Japanese instead.
• handle English: to touch, feel, or hold something with your hands. In Japanese, ハンドル usually means “steering wheel; bike handlebars”. In English, the verb handle means to deal with or touch something, and a car's wheel is called a steering wheel.
• heading English: a title or short piece of text at the top of a page or section. In Japanese, ヘディング usually means “hitting ball with head”. In English, a heading is usually a title at the top of a page, and hitting a ball with your head is called a header.
• heights English: high places or a great distance above the ground. In Japanese, ハイツ usually means “apartment building (in names)”. In English, heights means high places or high levels, not an apartment building.
• hostess English: a woman who receives and entertains guests in her own home. In Japanese, ホステス usually means “woman working in a nightclub”. In English, a hostess is usually just a woman who welcomes guests at a party or in a restaurant.
• hyper English: having too much energy and unable to sit still or relax. In Japanese, ハイパー usually means “super, ultra, high-level”. In English, hyper usually describes a person who is too excited and full of energy, not something that is great or advanced.
• hysterical English: unable to control your feelings or behavior because you are extremely frightened, angry, or excited. In Japanese, ヒステリック usually means “angry and emotionally out of control”. In English, hysterical very often means extremely funny, so That was hysterical is usually a compliment.
• Indian English: a person who comes from the country of India. In Japanese, インディアン usually means “Native American person”. In English, Indian usually means a person from India, and people say Native American for the first people of America.
• interchange English: the act of sharing or swapping ideas, information, or feelings between people. In Japanese, インター usually means “highway entrance and exit”. In English, interchange usually means sharing or exchanging ideas or things, and only sometimes a road junction.
• juice English: the liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables. In Japanese, ジュース usually means “any sweet soft drink”. In English, juice is only the liquid from fruit or vegetables, so do not call soda or cola juice.
• jumper English: a warm piece of clothing with long sleeves, usually made of wool, that you pull over your head. In Japanese, ジャンパー usually means “casual zip-up jacket”. In British English a jumper is a warm sweater, not a jacket, and in American English it is a dress with no sleeves.
• leisure English: time when you do not have to work or study and can relax. In Japanese, レジャー usually means “fun outings and trips”. In English, leisure means your free time, not a trip or an activity, so you do not say go to leisure.
• lifting English: the act of picking something up or moving it to a higher level. In Japanese, リフティング usually means “keeping a soccer ball up”. In English, lifting means raising something up, often heavy weights, and it is not used for kicking a soccer ball in the air.
• linear English: following a straight line or moving in one direction. In Japanese, リニア usually means “maglev train”. In English, linear describes something in a straight line or in a clear order, and it is not the name of a train.
• live English: to be alive and have life. In Japanese, ライブ usually means “live music concert”. In English, the verb live means to be alive or to have your home somewhere, and a concert is called a show or a gig.
• living English: the money you earn to pay for food, housing, and other needs. In Japanese, リビング usually means “living room”. In English, living alone does not mean a room, so say living room for that room.
• Macedonia English: a country in Southeast Europe, now officially called North Macedonia. In Japanese, マケドニア usually means “a country in Europe”. In this sense the word means a dish of mixed fruit or vegetables, not the country.
• maniac English: someone who behaves in a wild, dangerous, or extremely foolish way. In Japanese, マニアック usually means “niche, for serious fans”. In English, a maniac is a wild or dangerous person, not a big fan of something.
• manicure English: a beauty treatment for your nails. In Japanese, マニキュア usually means “nail polish”. In English, a manicure is a nail treatment, and the colored paint is called nail polish.
• melodrama English: behavior or a situation that is much more emotional or dramatic than it needs to be. In Japanese, メロドラマ usually means “romantic soap opera”. In English, a melodrama is any story with very strong emotions and clear good and bad people, and it does not have to be about love.
• memo English: a short written message or report used to share information with people in the same company. In Japanese, メモ usually means “a quick personal note”. In English, a memo is usually a short official message sent to people at work, so for your own short writing you take notes.
• memorandum English: a written message used in an office to share information with other people in the same company. In Japanese, メモ usually means “a quick personal note”. In English, a memorandum is a formal office message or business document, not a short note you write for yourself.
• mental English: relating to the mind and the process of thinking. In Japanese, メンタル usually means “mental strength, emotional toughness”. In English, mental is only an adjective meaning about the mind, so say mental strength, not my mental is strong.
• merit English: the quality of being good and deserving praise. In Japanese, メリット usually means “an advantage or benefit”. In English, merit usually means good quality or worth, and for a good point of something we usually say advantage or benefit.
• metabolic English: relating to the way your body uses food and oxygen to create energy. In Japanese, メタボリック usually means “having a fat belly”. In English, metabolic describes how your body turns food into energy; it does not mean fat or overweight.
• mixer English: a machine used for mixing or beating ingredients together when cooking. In Japanese, ミキサー usually means “a blender for making juice”. In English, a mixer beats eggs or cream, and the machine that makes juice or smoothies is called a blender.
• monotone English: a way of talking where your voice stays at the same pitch and does not go up or down. In Japanese, モノトーン usually means “black, white and gray colors”. In English, monotone usually means a flat voice that never goes up or down, not a black and white color style.
• mounting English: growing or increasing steadily in amount or intensity. In Japanese, マウンティング usually means “showing you are better than others”. In English, mounting means a frame or support for something, or growing, like mounting costs; it does not mean acting superior to people.
• muffler English: a part of a car's exhaust system that makes the engine quieter. In Japanese, マフラー usually means “a scarf worn around the neck”. In English, a muffler is usually the part of a car that makes it quieter, so say scarf for the thing you wear around your neck.
• neck English: the part of the body that joins the head to the shoulders. In Japanese, ネック usually means “a weak point or obstacle”. In English, neck means the part of the body, so for a problem that slows things down, say bottleneck or drawback.
• note English: a short piece of writing that helps you remember something. In Japanese, ノート usually means “a notebook”. In English, a note is a short piece of writing, and the book you write in is a notebook.
• Oriental English: describing things like food, rugs, or art from East Asian countries. In Japanese, オリエンタル usually means “exotic Eastern style”. In English this word sounds old and can be offensive about people, so say Asian instead.
• pantomime English: a funny musical play for children, usually performed around Christmas in the UK, featuring jokes and fairy tales. In Japanese, パントマイム usually means “mime, acting without words”. In British English, a pantomime is a funny Christmas theater show for families with music and talking, not silent acting.
• patron English: a person who uses a particular shop, restaurant, or hotel. In Japanese, パトロン usually means “rich man supporting a lover”. In English, a patron is usually a regular customer or someone who gives money to support art or a charity, with no romantic meaning.
• pension English: money you receive regularly from the government or a company after you stop working because of your age. In Japanese, ペンション usually means “small Western-style holiday inn”. In English, a pension is usually money you get regularly after you stop working, not a place to stay.
• pinch English: to squeeze someone's skin between your thumb and finger, often making it hurt a little. In Japanese, ピンチ usually means “a crisis or tough situation”. In English, pinch usually means to press skin tightly between your fingers, and only the phrase in a pinch means in a difficult moment.
• pop English: to make a short, loud sound like a balloon breaking. In Japanese, ポップ usually means “bright, fun, colorful style”. In English, the verb pop means to burst with a short sound or to go somewhere quickly. It does not mean cute or colorful.
• pot English: a deep, round container used for cooking food like soup or pasta. In Japanese, ポット usually means “thermos or hot water dispenser”. In English, a pot is usually a deep round container for cooking or for plants, and a thermos is called a flask or thermos.
• production English: the process of making or growing things to be sold. In Japanese, プロダクション usually means “talent agency or production company”. In English, production usually means making things or the amount made, not a company that manages actors or singers.
• proper English: correct, right, or suitable for a specific situation. In Japanese, プロパー usually means “a company's own regular staff”. In English, proper is an adjective that means correct, suitable or real, and it is not used for regular employees.
• reasonable English: fair, practical, and based on good judgment. In Japanese, リーズナブル usually means “cheap, good value price”. In English, reasonable mostly means fair or sensible, and it is not only about low prices.
• rebate English: an amount of money that is paid back to you, often by a government or a company. In Japanese, リベート usually means “secret illegal payment, kickback”. In English, a rebate is a legal amount of money paid back to you, not a bribe.
• rebound English: to bounce back off a surface after hitting it. In Japanese, リバウンド usually means “regaining weight after dieting”. In English, rebound means to bounce back or recover, and it is not used for gaining weight after a diet.
• renewal English: the act of extending a contract, subscription, or official document so it stays valid. In Japanese, リニューアル usually means “redesign or remodeling of a store”. In English, renewal usually means making a contract or document valid for longer, so for a remodeled shop say renovation or relaunch.
• repeater English: a person who repeats something they have heard or a machine that sends a signal again. In Japanese, リピーター usually means “a returning customer or visitor”. In English, a repeater is usually a device that sends a signal again; a person who comes back to a shop is a regular or repeat customer.
• restructuring English: a big change in how a company or group is organized. In Japanese, リストラ usually means “firing or laying off workers”. In English, restructuring means changing how a company is organized, and it does not always mean people lose their jobs.
• rinse English: to wash something quickly with clean water to remove soap, dirt, or food. In Japanese, リンス usually means “hair conditioner”. In English, rinse is a verb that means to wash something quickly with clean water, and hair conditioner is called conditioner.
• roadshow English: a series of events or presentations held in different cities to promote a product, a movie, or a business idea. In Japanese, ロードショー usually means “a film's cinema release”. In English, a roadshow is a series of events in different cities to promote something, not the showing of a new film.
• rough English: having an uneven surface that is not smooth to the touch. In Japanese, ラフ usually means “casual, relaxed; rough sketch”. In English, rough usually means not smooth or not gentle, so rough clothes are old or damaged clothes, not casual ones.
• sash English: a long strip of cloth worn around the waist or over one shoulder, often for a uniform or a formal event. In Japanese, サッシ usually means “aluminum window frame”. In English, a sash is usually a long piece of cloth worn around the waist or over one shoulder, and only sometimes part of a window.
• screw English: a thin, pointed piece of metal with a raised spiral line around it, used to join things together. In Japanese, スクリュー usually means “a ship's propeller”. In English, a screw is usually a small metal pin with a spiral that you turn into wood or metal, like ネジ.
• seal English: a large sea animal that eats fish and lives around cold coasts. In Japanese, シール usually means “a sticker”. In English, a sticker is called a sticker, and a seal is a sea animal or something that closes a thing tightly.
• sense English: one of the five ways you experience the world: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. In Japanese, センス usually means “good taste or natural flair”. In English, sense usually means sight, hearing and so on, good judgment, or meaning, and good sense does not mean good style.
• shorts English: trousers that end above the knees, usually worn in hot weather or for sports. In Japanese, ショーツ usually means “women's underwear”. In English, shorts are usually short trousers you wear outside, and women's underwear is called panties or knickers.
• shredder English: a person who plays the guitar very fast and with a lot of power. In Japanese, シュレッダー usually means “machine that cuts paper”. In this meaning, a shredder is a guitarist who plays very fast, not only a machine for cutting paper.
• sign English: a board or notice with words or pictures that gives information or instructions. In Japanese, サイン usually means “autograph or signature”. In English, a sign is usually a notice or a mark that shows something, and your written name is a signature or autograph.
• stove English: a large piece of kitchen equipment used for cooking food, usually with a flat top and an oven. In Japanese, ストーブ usually means “a heater for a room”. In English, a stove is usually the thing in the kitchen you cook on, and a heater is a heater.
• subtitle English: the text at the bottom of a screen that shows what people are saying in a movie or show. In Japanese, サブタイトル usually means “secondary title of a work”. In English, subtitles are usually the words shown at the bottom of a film screen, which Japanese calls 字幕.
• sweets English: small pieces of sweet food made mostly with sugar. In Japanese, スイーツ usually means “cakes and fancy desserts”. In British English, sweets usually means candy, not cakes or desserts.
• technician English: a person whose job involves using special skills or equipment, especially in science, medicine, or technology. In Japanese, テクニシャン usually means “a very skillful player”. In English, a technician is a worker who fixes machines or does tests in a lab, not a skillful athlete.
• trad English: a style of music that follows traditional rules and sounds. In Japanese, トラッド usually means “classic traditional fashion style”. In English, trad as a noun usually means traditional jazz or folk music, not a style of clothes.
• treatment English: medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury. In Japanese, トリートメント usually means “hair conditioning care product”. In English, treatment usually means medical care or the way you treat someone, not a hair product.
• trough English: a long, narrow container for animals to eat or drink from. In Japanese, トラフ usually means “long valley under the sea”. In English, a trough is usually a long box that farm animals eat or drink from.
• underground English: located or happening under the ground. In Japanese, アングラ usually means “alternative or fringe subculture”. In English, underground usually means below the ground, and in London it is also the name of the subway train system.
• unique English: being the only one of its kind in the world. In Japanese, ユニーク usually means “funny, quirky, or interesting”. In English, unique mainly means the only one of its kind, not funny or strange.
• valentine English: a card, message, or small gift that you send to someone you love or like on February 14th. In Japanese, バレンタイン usually means “Valentine's Day”. In English, a valentine is a card or the person you love, and the day is called Valentine's Day.
• veneer English: a thin layer of expensive wood or plastic glued to the surface of cheaper material to make it look better. In Japanese, ベニヤ usually means “plywood board”. In English, a veneer is only a thin top layer on a surface, and the board made of many layers is called plywood.
• Viking English: a member of the group of people from Scandinavia who traveled by sea to trade and fight in Europe over a thousand years ago. In Japanese, バイキング usually means “all-you-can-eat buffet”. In English, a Viking is one of the old sea people from Scandinavia, and a meal where you serve yourself is a buffet.
• vinyl English: a strong, flexible plastic used to make things like floors, car seats, and waterproof clothes. In Japanese, ビニール usually means “plastic, especially bags and sheets”. In English, vinyl is one special type of plastic, so a ビニール袋 is a plastic bag, not a vinyl bag.
• vocal English: expressing your opinions or feelings frequently and strongly. In Japanese, ボーカル usually means “singer in a band”. In English, vocal is usually an adjective about the voice, and the singer in a band is the vocalist or lead singer.
• yacht English: a large boat with sails or a motor, used for racing or for relaxing on the water. In Japanese, ヨット usually means “small sailing boat”. In English, a yacht is usually a large, expensive boat for pleasure, and a small boat with sails is called a sailboat.
• yell English: to shout something very loudly because you are angry, excited, or in pain. In Japanese, エール usually means “cheering, words of encouragement”. In English, yell means to shout loudly, often in anger or pain, and it does not mean to encourage someone.