Japanese Words That Sound Like English (2025)

Japanese is one of the most beautiful languages but a little tough. A bit of persistence and hard work makes it easy to ace the language. 

Though Japanese and English and quite different from each other be it in sound, word or grammar, however, certain Japanese words sound like English.  

Not many know that there are two types of words in Japanese that have a connection with English.

They are the Loanwords and the Wasei-Eigo words. Japanglish is the name given for mixing the two languages. 

Also Read > Aesthetic Japanese Words With Deep Meaning

Loanwords Used in Japanese (2025)

Loanwords, also known as 外来語 (gairai-go), are commonly used in modern Japanese.

Japan which has always preferred to be known as an isolated country became open to foreigners in the mid-nineteenth century.  

The culture and language were soon influenced by Western cultures and English loanwords gained prevalence during the post-World War II period. Since then, it has continued to evolve.

Loanwords are normally written with カタカナ (Katakana) letters but pronounced and transcribed with Japanese pronunciation rules.

Here are some of the Japanese pronunciation rules followed:

The Japanese consonants usually end with vowels — あ(a), い(i), う(u), え(e), お(o). In Japanese, the L and R sound the same and so L in English is pronounced as R in Japanese mostly.  

Also Read > 10+ Japanese Swear Words To Avoid

Loanwords

Loanwords are more popular among the younger generation while the older population rarely understands it. 

Here are some English words with Japanese pronunciation.  

EnglishJapanesePronunciation
Glassグラスgurasu
Forkフォークfōku
Knifeナイフnaifu
Busバスbasu
Internetインターネットintānetto
Websiteウェブサイトwebusaito
Hotelホテルhoteru
Restaurantレストランresutoran
Elevatorエレベーターerebētā
Sizeサイズsaizu
Tableテーブルtēburu
Doorドアdoa

Japanglish Wasei-Eigo: English Made in Japan 

There are some English words fully integrated into the Japanese language and are known as 和製英語 (Wasei Eigo).

They may be borrowed English words, but their meanings are entirely different from their English counterparts.

Also Read > Japanese Common Nouns

Here are some Wasei Eigo words that will give you an idea about them. 

EnglishPronunciationPronunciation
Apartment (bigger)マンションmanshon
Apartment (smaller)アパートapāto
Makeupメイクmeiku
Entertainerタレントtarento
Cheating on an examカンニングkanningu
Pancakeホットケーキhotto kēki
Supermarketスーパーsūpā
Do your best!ファイト!faito!
Very excitedハイテンションhai tenshon

Famous Brand Names In Japanese

Here is how the Japanese pronounce Brand names.

EnglishJapanesePronounciation
Googleグーグル(Gūguru)
Appleアップル(Appuru)
Starbucksスターバックス(Sutābakkusu)
Kentucky Fried Chickenケンタッキー フライド チキン(Kentakkī furaido chikin)
McDonald’sマクドナルド(Makudonarudo)

Japanese words used in English:

Here are some popular words used in English:

EnglishJapanesePronunciation
Sushi寿司 / すしSushi consists of vinegared rice and raw or cooked seafood
Teriyaki照り焼き / てりやきTeriyaki is a Japanese cooking technique and flavor.
Tofu豆腐 / とうふTofu is bean curd made of soybeans.
Edamame枝豆 / えだまめEdamame is a dish of soybeans boiled and salted.
Sake酒 / さけSake is a Japanese Rice Wine.
Matcha抹茶 / まっちゃGreen tea leaves in powder form.
Bento弁当 / べんとうBento is a reusable lunch box.
Bonsai盆栽 / ぼんさいBonsai is an art form of planting trees in containers.
Origami折り紙 / おりがみOrigami is the art of folding papers.
Emoji絵文字 / えもじPronunciation
Manga漫画 / まんがManga is Japanese-style comics that are often animated.
KaraokeカラオケKaraoke is where an amateur sings popular songs with music and lyrics displayed on a video screen.
Sudoku数独 / すうどくSudoku is a logic-based number puzzle.
Tsunami津波 / つなみA series of huge waves caused by underwater earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
Typhoon台風 / たいふうA Typhoon is a huge tropical cyclone.

Hope you found this article helpful.

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