In the past, the Japanese incorporated Chinese words into the Japanese language along with Chinese characters. In modern times, they have incorporated English words. A characteristic of the Japanese people is that they take in cultures and words from other countries, but they coexist with Japanese culture and language. Therefore, in daily life, the old Japanese and English words are used together. These are many.

For example: body (hedo/head, feisu/face, hanndo/hand, etc.), meal (rannchi/lunch, raisu/rice, ti-/tea, etc.), house (furoa/floor, kicchinn/kitchen, whiindou/window, etc.) Work-related (desuku/desk, pe-pa/paper, dokyumennto/documents, etc.). Colors (howaito/white, burakku/black, reddo/red, etc.). Either one can be used by any Japanese.

In recent years, the English words have been used more and some old Japanese words are used less often. For example, earrings (iyaringu) / mimikazari, necklace (nekkuresu) / kubikazari, wine (wainn) / budoushu, calendar (karenda-) / koyomi, camera (kamera) / shashinnki, door (doa) / tobira, etc. Some words, such as menu (menyuu), are now used almost exclusively in English, because they seem to have taken on a new life of their own.

The old Japanese word “Kissatenn,” which meant “café,” has come to have a Western flavor, like “starbucks,” and is now considered a separate word. Similarly, “shokudou” and “resutorann” are considered different. Shokudou is small and old-fashioned. The same is true of the relationship between “ryoushuusho” (for expensive purchases) and “reshi-to” (for items received at convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.). English words are playing an increasingly important role in the Japanese language.

Lesson Experience by the Author