We often associate certain products and concepts as “Japanese” with the common understanding that they originate from Japan. Examples are: Japanese Garden, Japanese maples, Japanese Music, Japanese restaurant, Japanese food and Japanese writing. In real life many words of Japanese origin have entered many languages. These words no longer need to be used together with the word “Japanese” (Example: “Bonsai” instead of “Japanese Bonsai”) but they are simple transliterations of Japanese language words for concepts inherent to Japanese culture. Some words are of Chinese origin that were first exposed to English via Japan.

Bento The Japanese box lunch, a single-portion takeout meal
Bonsai The art of tending miniature trees, originated from Japanese word “Tray Gardening”
Geisha Traditional Japanese artist-entertainers
Judo (as well as Aikido) Martial art blending sport and philosophy. Judo originated from Japanese word “Soft Way”
Karaoke Entertainment where an amateur singer accompanies recorded music, originated from Japanese word “Empty Orchestra”
Karate Japanese weaponless martial art which emphasizes on striking techniques (punching and kicking). The original Japanese word means “Empty Hand”
Kimono Japanese traditional full-length robe-like garment still worn by women, men and children. It has an original meaning of “Happy Coat”
Koi The Japanese word for carp. Western usage turns it into ornamental varieties of common carp which differs from the Japanese meaning. The ornamental variety is known as “Nishikigoi” in Japan
Matcha The powdered green tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony
Miso The thick paste made by fermenting soybeans with salt
Ninja Japanese stealthy warrior and assassin. The original Japanese word means “Shinobi Practitioner” where Shinobi refers to a group of assassins for hire during ancient Japan
Origami (and also Kirigami) Paper arts that is popular in Japan for centuries
Rickshaw A human-pulled wagon, originated from the Japanese word “Jinrikisha”
Sake The Japanese alcoholic beverage brewed from rice
Sakura is cherry blossom
Salaryman A common Japanese term used to describe white-collar worker. It originated from the English word of “Salary type of man”
Samurai A common Japanese term referring to warrior in pre-industrial Japan
Sashimi Japanese delicacy primarily consisting of the freshest raw seafood thinly sliced
Sayonara Goodbye
Soba Japanese thin brown buckwheat noodles
Sudoku Known as Number Place in the United States. Elsewhere in the world is known as a number placement puzzle
Sukiyaki Japanese dish served in one-pot-style, consisting of thinly sliced beef, tofu, noodles, cabbage and mushrooms
Sumo Well-known Japanese wrestling
Sushi Japanese dish consisting of vinegary rice combined with other ingredients such as raw fish, raw or cooked shellfish, or vegetables
Tempura Classic Japanese deep fried batter-dipped seafood and vegetables
Teppanyaki Japanese cuisine that uses a hot iron griddle (known as “Teppan” in Japanese) to cook food
Teriyaki The cooking technique where fish or meat is being broiled/grilled in a sweet soy sauce marinade
Tofu is word with Chinese origin but is believed to have entered English via Japanese food culture
Tsunami Literally means “Wave In Port” in Japanese. It is now known as large wave caused by earthquakes
Tycoon Japanese term for “Great Prince” or “High Commander” and was borrowed by English with a twist to describe very wealthy individual
Udon Thick wheat-based noodle
Wasabi Strongly flavoured green condiment commonly known as Japanese horseradish
Yakitori Japanese version of chicken kebab