Karen Sandness' Head
Scratchers
Submitted by adamrice on 15 December 2006 - 12:14pm. J>E glossaries
The Japanese have been
borrowing foreign words ever since their first encounters with Chinese culture
nearly 2000 years ago. However, the words often do not survive the borrowing
process unscathed. The following is a list of roomaji
(Roman alphabet) abbreviations, wasei Eigo (made-in-Japan English), and borrowed words and
phrases that have been abbreviated and recombined beyond recognition. What they
have in common is that almost none of them are used outside Japan. (Well, Pokemon has gained international currency in the past year
or so, but the rest are pretty obscure.)
The glossary began as a catalogue of words that I myself had
encountered in translation jobs, personal reading, and travels to Japan. I
learned about many of these words from members of the Honyaku
Internet mailing list. Some of them came up as genuine ghead scratchers,h words
and phrases that were impeding someonefs progress in a translation job. Some of
the technical and engineering terms were first compiled by Bill Lise and are used here with his permission. Most of the
automotive terms were originally compiled by Stephen A. Carter and are also
used here with permission. Others came to me through private e-mail from readers
of earlier versions of this glossary. You all know who you are, and you are too
numerous to mention, but thank you!
Some of these words will be familiar to anyone who has ever lived
in Japan, but others are relatively recent coinages or belong to the jargon of
a specific occupational group. A few of the words in this list are native
Japanese words that are typically written in katakana and therefore sometimes
mistaken for gairaigo (borrowed words). A prime
example is qnbg (hiyari hatto), which despite all appearances, is not gairaigo for some kind of hat. Consult the list to see what
it actually is.
All entries are given in a-i-u-e-o
order, with Japanese script in the first column, a Roman alphabet transcription
in the second column, and a definition and commentary in the third column.
3K |
kiken, kitsui, kitanai (three undesirable attributes of a job) |
|
RPL |
third-party logistics |
|
3S |
standardization,
simplification, specialization |
|
5S |
seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke, the basic principles of TPM (qv) |
|
A/C |
account |
|
AV |
1) adult video, 2)
audiovisual |
|
B2B |
business-to-business |
|
BGM |
background music |
|
B(k)Ε |
Bk-han |
black separation
(printing) |
B/S |
balance sheet |
|
CG |
computer graphics |
|
CΕ |
cyan separation
(printing) |
|
CΚζθ |
C-mentori |
chamfering |
COP |
crystal-originated
particle |
|
CR |
1) resistance
capacitor, 2) child resistant, 3) card reader |
|
DM |
1) direct mail, 2)
private message to an individual on a mailing list |
|
DPE |
Developing, printing,
and enlarging |
|
ESA |
electronic spark
advance (automotive) |
|
FA |
free agent |
|
FC |
franchise chain |
|
FP |
financial planner |
|
GL |
guideline |
|
HP |
home page |
|
H/W |
[computer] hardware |
|
IC |
If gintegrated
circuith doesnft make sense, try ginterior coordinator.h |
|
I/C |
[highway] interchange |
|
I/F |
interface |
|
KYT |
kiken, yochi, toreeningu |
|
LBP |
laser (beam) printer |
|
L/C |
logic control |
|
LL |
language laboratory |
|
M+number |
gmagic numberh so
that, for example, M9 means nine more victories until clinching the
championship |
|
M/C |
master cylinder |
|
MFP |
multifunctional
peripheral |
|
MGM |
mukatsuku go byou mae (ή©ΒάbOjhfive seconds from losing ith |
|
MΕ |
M-han |
magenta separation
(printing) |
ML |
mailing list |
|
NG |
1) no good, 2) no go,
3) movie outtake |
|
OA |
1) office automation,
2) open-ended answer |
|
OB |
gold boy,h used in the
British sense of alumnus |
|
OHP |
overhead projector |
|
OJT |
on-the-job training |
|
OL |
goffice lady,h female
clerical worker |
|
OSM |
on-site massage |
|
OVA |
on-video animation |
|
PA |
parking area |
|
P3I |
pre-planned product
improvement |
|
P/F |
perforation |
|
PKF |
peace keeping force |
|
PL |
1) pail, 2) PL
(Perfect Liberty) Kyoudan (PL³c), one of the New
Religions, 3) product liability |
|
P/L |
profit and loss
[statement] |
|
P^M, A/M: |
property management,
asset management |
|
PPC |
plain paper copier |
|
PPK |
pinpin korori |
Used to describe an
elderly person who doesnft have to suffer through a lot of illness or
disability before death but remains mentally and physically active until
dying suddenly of a heart attack or stroke. |
PQ |
from patan kyuu (p^L
[ja sudden systemic breakdown or crash |
|
PRTR |
Pollutant Release and
Transfer Registry |
|
RΚζθ |
R-mentori |
rounding corners |
RE |
reverse engineering |
|
SP |
security patrol |
|
SPW |
spring washer
(automotive) |
|
S/W |
software |
|
T/M |
transmission |
|
TPM |
total plant
management, total product management. This abbreviation is somewhat known in
English-speaking business circles, at least by those who are always on the
lookout for new management techniques. |
|
TS |
tracking stocks |
|
TobN |
T-bakku |
gT-backh: thong
panties |
VSP |
vehicle speed |
|
WJZbg |
W-kasetto |
double cassette; the
prefix gWh is often used to mean gdoubleh |
YΕ |
Y-han |
yellow separation
(printing) |
ACXELfB[ |
aisu kyandii |
gice candyh: a frozen
treat similar to a Popsicle |
A[πΖι |
aaru o toru |
take the radius |
ACe |
aitemu |
gitemh: something that
one gjust has to haveh |
ACE[g |
ai meeto |
geye mateh: guide dog
for the blind |
AEgpbN |
autopakku |
gout packh: 1) retail
tray packaging, 2) outsourced packaging |
ANZ |
akuseru |
accelerator |
AN |
akuriru |
acrylic, especially
acrylic fiber |
AO |
agurome |
agglomeration |
©V |
asa-shan |
morning shampoo |
AV}l |
ashimane |
assistant manager |
AXER |
asu kon |
asphalt concrete |
AbV[ |
asshii |
gassy,h
from the abbreviation for gassemblyh (automotive) |
Abel[^[ |
atteneetaa |
attenuator |
Abvg[N |
appu tooku |
gup talk,h a style of
speaking in which the speaker gives the end of each sentence or phrase a
higher intonation |
Ags[ |
atopii |
a predisposition
toward allergies |
Ai |
ana |
gannouncer,h often
used as a title when the names of television announcers are shown on screen |
AiJ |
anakan |
unaccompanied baggage |
AjJ |
anikara |
ganime karaoke,h
karaoke accompanied by animation |
Aj |
anime |
animated cartoon |
ApR |
apakon |
aperture compensation |
Au |
abu |
shock absorber |
At^[T[rX |
afutaa saabisu |
gafter serviceh:
services such as repairs and checkups provided to purchasers of a product |
Av |
apuri |
(computer) application |
AtR |
afureko |
gafter recording,h
adding sounds to a soundtrack after a movie has been filmed |
A| |
apo |
appointment |
AJW |
amekaji |
American casual |
Atg |
amefuto |
American football |
A[EEH}[ |
aamu uomaa |
garm warmerh A knitted
sleeve, analogous to a leg warmer |
A[ |
Amuraa |
young girls who
imitate the style of singer Amuro Namie |
AT |
arusaro |
garubaito
saron,h a gsalonh where the hostesses are
supposedly part-timers with other jobs |
AO |
angura |
underground |
AP[g |
ankeeto |
from French genqueteh: questionnaire |
AR |
ankon |
gunconstructed,h an
overcoat with very simple lines and no shoulder pads, etc. |
A_[ |
andaa riya |
rear underbody |
Ag |
antore |
entrepreneurship |
Ar@ |
anbiri |
unbelievable |
CC |
I-i |
Iran-Iraq |
C[W[pc |
iijii pantsu |
geasy pants,h
loose-fitting pants with an elastic or drawstring waist |
C\Μ |
iso-tai |
isomer |
C^JW |
itakaji |
Italian casual |
C^ί΅ |
itameshi |
Italian food |
καt |
ichigan refu |
single lens reflex |
C`F |
imechen |
gimage changeh: what
cute little teen idol singers have to go through if they hope to survive in
show business past the age of nineteen |
CXg |
irasuto |
illustration |
CR |
irukon |
illumination control |
C~ |
irumi |
illumination |
CNrWlX |
inkuribijinesu |
incremental business |
CXg |
insuto |
ginstructions,h
briefings for market researchers |
CfB[YErfI |
indiizu bideo |
pornographic videos
not approved by the@ϊ{rfIΟ¦ο@(Nihon Bideo Rinri Kyoukai) |
Ce |
interi |
intelligentsia |
Cpl |
inpane |
instrument panel |
Ct |
infure |
inflation |
C|ς |
impo yaku |
anti-impotence
medication |
C}j |
inmani |
intake manifold |
CK`[g |
inmegachaato |
TV test pattern chart,
megacycles chart |
EBJ[ |
uinkaa |
gwinkerh: the turn
signal on a car |
EGX |
uesu |
rag (for wiping) |
EGXg[ |
uestomooru |
weather strip molding |
GAR |
eakon |
air conditioning |
GATX |
ea sasu |
air suspension |
GAj |
ea moni |
on-air monitor |
G[RbRV[ |
eekakkoshii |
[non-gairago] adjective describing someone who is overly
concerned with status. Can be used enviously with reference to someone of
real accomplishment. Kansai dialect. |
GLpC |
ekipai |
exhaust pipe |
GL}j |
ekimani |
exhaust manifold |
GRXe[V |
eko suteeshon |
a service station for
cars that run on alternative fuels |
GRe |
e-konte |
storyboard (film) |
GXeET |
esute saron |
gesthetic salon,h
where people go to get makeovers, massages, facials, etc. |
GlgsA |
enetopia |
a housing development
designed with an eye toward energy conservation |
Go`bv |
ebachippu |
gevaluation chiph:
special version of a product with features that allow it to be used for
evaluation |
Gt |
efu |
tags attached to
industrial equipment when defects or malfunctions are discovered. The tag is
removed when the problem has been corrected. |
G~tB |
emifiru |
EMI (electro-magnetic
interference) filter |
GO |
eroguro |
erotic and grotesque |
GXg |
ensuto |
engine stall |
Gv |
enpura |
engineering plastics |
INV |
okushon |
a pun on the word manshon, this refers to an apartment whose purchase price
is so high that it is stated not in units of ten thousand yen (man) but in
units of one hundred million yen (oku). |
I[hu |
oodoburu |
hors dfoeuvres |
Iih |
onadoru |
gonanism idolh: a
fantasy object for masturbation. Formerly Iiybg (onapetto). |
Io^A |
obatarian |
gaunth+hbattalionh:
a rude and obnoxious older woman |
ItR |
ofukon |
office computer |
IyAv |
opeanpu |
operational amplifier |
It |
orifura |
orientation flat (semiconductors) |
IS[ |
orugooru |
from German Orgel?
music box |
ηAbv |
kao appu |
close-up of a face |
KXN |
gasukuro |
gas chromatography |
JXe |
kasutera |
a type of pound cake
(Portuguese word) |
JXe |
kasuten |
cabinet containing
medical instruments (German word) |
J[ |
kaze |
If gwindh or gcoldh
doesnft make sense, and the context is chemical, try gcasein.h |
JZbgR[q[ |
kasetto koohii |
gcassette coffeeh: a
single serving of ground coffee in a plastic filter |
Kbc|[Y |
gattsu poozu |
gguts poseh: a
triumphant pose assumed by an athlete |
J[ir |
kaanabi |
car navigation system |
Jjo |
kanibari |
cannibalization |
J~Z |
kamisen |
gComing Centuryh: the
younger members of the group V6 |
Jn |
kameriha |
camera rehearsal |
K |
gaya |
background chatter on
a soundtrack (not gairaigo) |
Jo |
karabara |
ballads sung by Karashima Midori |
JEG |
karu-ue |
calcium wafer |
Je |
karute |
gKarteh
(German) patientfs medical chart |
KN |
gankuro |
(not gairaigo) a darkly tanned face. Fashionable among trendy
young people ca. 1999-2000. |
JRW[ |
kankorojii |
gcan ecologyh:
beautifying a recreational or other public area by picking up empty beverage
cans |
Je |
kantera |
an old-fashioned metal
lantern (source uncertain) |
JjO |
kanningu |
gcunningh: cheating on
a test |
KoY |
ganbarizumu |
ggambarismh:
the attitude that one must keep going no matter what. From the verb ͺρΞι
(ganbaru). |
Kv |
ganpura |
Gundam plastic models |
L[vTv |
kiipu sanpuru |
gkeep sampleh:
reference sample |
MvX |
gipusu |
from German gGipsh: plaster cast (for broken bones) |
L[v{bg |
kiipu botoru |
gkeep bottleh: a
bottle of whiskey that a bar customer buys, writes his name on, keeps on a
shelf at the bar, and drinks little by little on successive visits. |
LX^[ |
kyasutaa |
gcasterh: a newscaster |
LXeBOE{[g |
kyasuting booto |
gcasting voteh: the
deciding vote |
Lb`Rs[ |
kyatchi kopii |
gcatch copyh: In
copywriting, large text that appears in ads or brochures to catch the
readerfs attention |
Lb`Z[X |
kyatchi seerusu |
gcatch salesh: an
unscrupulous sales practice in which customers are pressured into signing
expensive contracts that are hard to break. |
Lb`o[ |
kyatchi baa |
gcatch barh: the kind
of bar that has touts standing outside trying to lure in customers |
Lb`{[ |
kyatchi booru |
gcatch ballh: playing
catch |
Lb`z |
kyatchihon |
gcatch phoneh: call
waiting |
Lbv |
kyappu |
the top reporter at a
newspaperfs local office |
L |
kyara |
character in a manga
(comic book) or anime (q.v.) |
M |
gyara |
gguaranteedh fee paid
to performing artists |
LA |
kyaria |
career government employee |
LM |
kyangyaru |
gcampaign galh: model
featured in an advertising campaign |
LsOJ[ |
kyanpingu kaa |
gcamping carh:
trailer, caravan |
L[[h |
kiiwaado |
gkeywordh: buzzword,
catch phrase |
ObY |
guzzu |
ggoodsh: promotional
items |
N[[ |
kuuraa |
gcoolerh: air
conditioner |
OCR |
guraiko |
graphic equalizerh |
NNV |
kurakushon |
gklaxonh: car horn |
NTo |
kurasaba |
client server |
OrA |
gurabia |
short for
gphotogravureh |
Oh |
gurando |
ggroundh (electrical) |
NR |
kurikon |
Christmas concert |
OC |
guruin |
group interview |
O |
gurume |
gourmet |
NpX |
kurepasu |
pastel crayons |
N[ |
kureemu |
gclaimh: customer
complaint |
NJ |
kurokan |
gcross countryh: an
off-road vehicle |
NR |
kurokon |
cross country skiing |
OX |
gurosu |
lip gloss |
NXjR |
kurosu nikoru |
crossed Nichol prism |
PAEG |
kea ueru |
wellness care |
ygbN |
kei-torakku |
lightweight truck |
Q[Z |
geesen |
[video] game center |
Q[g{[ |
geetobooru |
ggate ballh: a game
similar to croquet |
φfr[ |
kouen debyuu |
gpark debuth: bringing
onefs child to the local park to play for the first time. |
―Rp |
goudou konpa |
a gmixerh |
RM |
kogyaru |
obsessively
trend-conscious teen-age girls who may offer themselves for πΫ
(enjo kousai, usually
translated as gcompensated datingh) with older men in order to finance their
lifestyle |
RXv |
kosupure |
gcostume playh:
dressing up as onefs favorite manga or anime character |
RY~bN{[O |
kozumikku booringu |
gcosmic bowlingh:
bowling in a bowling alley that is lit up like a disco with lots of flashing
lights |
Rl |
kone |
gconnectionsh in the
sense of knowing the grighth people |
Rs[ |
kopii |
1) photocopying; 2)
the blurb on a book jacket |
R} |
koma |
frame in a film or
video |
R}\ |
komason |
gcommercial songh:
commercial jingle |
q}_ |
komadamu |
wealthy women who
strive to follow the fashions exactly and be seen in all the right place |
R~Pbg |
komiketto |
gcomic marketh: a
convention where amateur manga artists sell their work |
R~
jP[^[ |
komyunikeetaa |
gcommunicatorh:
operator in a telemarketing business |
R |
koramu |
gcolumnh: a
stand-alone feature article framed by a box |
R[e |
kooruten |
corduroy |
R| |
korepon |
correspondence |
RO |
kongura |
computer graphics |
RTo |
konsaba |
conservative |
RXg |
konsuto |
control strip |
Re |
konte |
gcontinuityh in film
making |
Rp |
konpa |
a group drinking party
held at a bar or restaurant |
RpjI |
konpanion |
a young woman whose
job it is to demonstrate products, hand out pamphlets, etc. at conventions
and trade shows |
Rpl |
konpane |
1) plywood panel or 2)
control panel |
Rp[g·ι |
konpareeto suru |
to compare |
Rrj |
konbini |
convenience store |
Ry |
konpe |
competition |
Rbh |
konroddo |
connecting rod
(automotive) |
TChE[_[ |
saido riidaa |
gside readerh: a
supplementary reader in a foreign language classroom |
T[rX |
saabisu |
can mean gservice,h
but also refers to items or services that a store gives away along with a
purchase, i.e. gfreebies.h |
T[bg |
saametto |
ceramic metal.
gCermeth is also used in English writing about the field of ceramics
technology |
TEhS |
saundo rogo |
gsound logoh: a
commercial jingle |
΄λu[ |
zakuro buumu |
popularity of
pomegranates, which contain phytoestrogens |
ThfX |
sadondesu |
gsudden deathh
overtime |
XuGR |
sabo eko |
sub-economizer
(electronics) |
Th |
saradore |
salad dressing |
TPAw |
sankea shisuu |
sun protection index |
TX| |
sansupo |
Sankei Sports |
Tg |
santora |
soundtrack |
V[EZbg |
shiiru setto |
gseal seth: a set of
stickers |
W[W |
jiija |
jeans jacket |
W[p |
jiipan |
jeans, dungarees |
VO |
shigura |
signal ground |
VXIy |
shisuope |
system operator;
gsysoph is also used in English |
VYJbg |
shizuru katto |
gsizzle cuth: a
mouth-watering image in an advertising. (The English term is gsizzle shot.h) |
VlR |
shinekon |
cinema complex |
VrE~j} |
shibiru minimamu |
gcivil minimumh:
essential infrastructure |
VvqR[ |
shipurehi kooru |
gSprech
(German word for gspeakh) + callh: a voice call |
Wx^A |
jibetarian |
young people who sit
on the ground (jibeta) or sidewalk |
WXgNbN |
jasuto kurokku |
gjust clockh: an
internal clock that is always correct |
WXs |
jasupin |
in perfect focus |
Vl[ |
Shaneraa |
gChanelerh:
young women completely outfitted in Chanel clothing and accessories. There
are corresponding terms for fans of other designers. |
V[ |
shaare |
gSchaleh
(German) a laboratory dish |
Wp[ |
janpaa |
gjumperh: a
windbreaker jacket |
V
[N[ |
shuu kuriimu |
fake French gchoux crmeh: creampuff |
W
|
junron |
Junlon, a synthetic fiber |
ΘGl |
shou ene |
energy conservation |
Wg |
jontora |
John Travolta |
V{ |
shirubon shi |
lens-cleaning paper |
VN |
shinkuro |
oscilloscope |
VN[ό |
shinkuro nounyuu |
synchronous supply |
V[^tlX« |
shiin tafunesusei |
gscene toughnessh: the
ability of a video camera to hold a scene steady |
V| |
shinpo |
symposium |
XJCC |
sukairain |
gskylineh: a scenic
mountain road |
XLg[N |
skyantooku |
gScan Talkh: a barcode
system for recording and playing back brief sequences of sound (brand name) |
XLVbv |
skinshippu |
gskinshiph:
emotional communication through touch |
XLfB[ |
sukin redii |
gskin ladyh: a
saleswoman who goes door to door selling condoms |
XP[bg |
sukeeru meritto |
gscale merith:
economies of scale |
X^K |
sutangan |
stun gun |
X^fBO |
sutanding |
free-standing bar |
X`R |
suchikon |
Styrol condensor |
Xb` |
succhi |
short for gstewardessh |
ΜΔ|W |
sutepoji |
photographic prints
that you donft keep |
Xgp[ |
sutopaa |
straight perm |
Xpt@N |
supafaku |
Much more innocent
than it sounds, this is student slang for the restaurant chain gSpaghetti
Factory.h |
XyAi |
supeana |
spectrum analyzer |
X|h |
supodori |
sports drink |
XC_bN |
suraidakku |
variable
autotransformer |
X[^[ |
suriitaa |
gthreeterh:
a three-wheeled bicycle |
X[[g |
suruureeto |
slew rate |
ZJhXN[ |
sekando sukuuru |
gsecond schoolh: an
outdoor environmental educational program for city children |
ZJhEobO |
sekando baggu |
gsecond bagh: a
zippered carrying case |
ZbNXth |
sekkusu furendo |
gsex friendh: someone
with whom one is not romantically involved but frequently has sexual
relations with anyway. Also known as βθΖΰ(yaritomo). |
ZbgE[J[ |
setto meekaa |
manufacturer of
assembled products |
[lR |
zenekon |
general contractor |
Ίθ |
zeri |
gjellyh: sweet
flavored gelatin dessert. The most popular flavors are R[q[ and C. |
Z[O |
Se Riigu |
Central League |
Zt |
seru-tsuki |
with a self-starter |
ZtAbvlW |
serufu appu neji |
gself
up screwh: captive screw |
ZtX^h |
serufu sutando |
gself
standh: self-service gasoline station |
[Xg |
zensuto |
general strike |
XsR |
supikon |
speed controller |
\QA\[Q |
soge, sooge |
(not gairaigo) Dialect variation of»€@(sou).\[Qi(soogena)= »ρΘ (sonna) |
\tgN[ |
sofuto kuriimu |
gsoft creamh:
soft-serve ice cream |
\[vh |
soopurando |
gsoap landh: a bath
house/massage parlor offering sexual services. Formerly gR(toruko)
from gTurkish bath,h but changed after protests from Turks resident in Japan. |
\x¦ |
soruben ritsu |
solvency ratio |
_C |
daiya |
1) diamond, or 2)
train schedule |
^EPbg |
tauruketto |
gtowelketh:
a type of bed linen resembling a large beach towel and used to cover onefs
self in hot weather |
_ETCWO |
daunsaijingu |
gdownsizingh:
switching from mainframe to personal computers |
^Ng^C |
takuto taimu |
gtact timeh: has to do
with productivity, but discussions on the Honyaku
mailing list indicate that its exact meaning may vary from company to
company. |
^RWFl |
takojene |
tachogenerator |
_Xg{bNX |
dasuto bokkusu |
gdust boxh: Dumpster |
^bNV[ |
takku shiiru |
gtack sealh: a round
gummed sticker |
_{ |
dabo |
dowel |
_[W |
darumeeji |
Dulmadge-type screw |
_·ι |
@dan suru |
make a done deal |
`N\« |
chikusosei |
thixotrophy (gthe property of certain gels to liquefy
when subjected to vibratory forcesh) |
`N\[h |
chikuso moorudo |
thixomolding (plastic and semiconductor industries) |
`bvοR |
chippu teikou |
SMT resistor |
`[|Cg |
chaamu pointo |
gcharm pointh: most
attractive feature |
`iRj |
chari(nko) |
bicycle |
`xO |
choberigu |
very, very good (teen
slang) |
`xo |
choberiba |
very, very bad (teen
slang) |
`J |
chomuka |
very sickening (not gairaigo, teen slang) |
`s |
chinpira |
a young punk, young
yakuza gangster (not gairaigo) |
fBWJ |
dijikame |
digital camera |
fBW{ |
dijiboru |
digital voltmeter |
fjι |
deniru |
to eat at Dennyfs |
fm~ |
denomi |
gdenominationh:
reducing the face value of currency after inflation has created impossibly
high numbers |
e[vJbg |
teepu katto |
gtape cuth: ribbon
cutting ceremony |
e[u^bv |
teeburu tappu |
gtable taph: a power
strip |
ft |
defure |
deflation |
eN |
terekura |
gtelephone clubh: a
telephone chat line/hdatingh service |
eR |
tereko |
tape recorder |
eϊθ |
tere houdai |
NTTfs unmetered
telephone service |
e[N |
terewaaku |
gteleworkh:
telecommuting |
e |
tero |
terrorism |
ebv |
teroppu |
on-screen titles |
h[Abv |
doo appu |
extreme close-up |
hCg |
doito |
a gdo-it-yourselfh
store |
g[L |
tooki |
gtalkieh: a
prerecorded announcement |
hN^[EXgbv |
dokutaa sutoppu |
gdoctor stoph: being
ordered by onefs doctor to give up such habits as drinking, smoking,
overeating, etc. |
h`L |
docha kyan |
abbreviation of gdotanba de kyanseru suruh (cancel at the last minute) |
gbvy[W |
toppu peeji |
gtop pageh: the home
page of a Web site. See z[y[W. |
gbvi[ |
toppu rannaa |
gtop runnerh: a system
of benchmarking against the best-in-class performance |
hR |
dorakon |
driving contest |
g| |
torapon |
transponder |
gX |
toransu |
transformer |
gR |
torukon |
torque converter |
hybO |
doru peggu |
gdollar pegh: being
pegged to the dollar |
gy |
torepe |
tracing paper |
hA |
doroa |
drawer |
iCXE~fBEpX |
naisu midi pasu |
gnice middy passh: a
discount rail pass for groups of women over 30 who are traveling together |
iCb` |
nairacchi |
nylon latch |
iE’ |
naui |
gnowyh:
up-to-date (slang from the 1980s) |
iEiECY |
naunauizumu |
gnow-now-ismh: being
interested only in the here and now without any regard for the future |
iV
v |
nashupuro |
national project |
i[XR[ |
naasu kooru |
gnurse callh: a
patientfs call button in a hospital |
ΘΒ |
natsumero |
gnatsukashii
melodyh: nostalgic melody |
jbJhdr |
nikkado denchi |
nickel cadmium battery |
j
[g |
nyuutora |
gnew traditionalh |
j
[n[t |
nyuu haafu |
gnew halfh:
transsexual |
lΤhbN |
ningen dokku |
ghuman [dry]dockh: a
thorough physical exam |
lOι |
neguru |
neglect |
l`Y |
nechizun |
Netizen |
lbN |
nekku |
bottleneck |
m[p |
noopan |
gno pantiesh: used to
describe various establishments where the waitresses wear short skirts and no
underpants. |
m[w |
nooheru |
without a helmet |
m[}[N |
noomaaku |
gno markh: not
covered, not observed, occurring off the radar. Used especially to refer to a
rival companyfs having been first to develop a new product. |
mRfUC |
nonkon dezain |
nonconforming design |
mZNV |
non sekushon |
gnon sectionh:
unaffiliated |
mZNg |
non sekuto |
non-sectarian |
oCΆ’ |
baijii |
:Viagra ojiisanh: an old man who takes Viagra |
m| |
non pori |
non-political |
oCLO |
baikingu |
gVikingh: a smrgsbord or buffet dinner, from the Scandinavian origins
of the smrgsbord (and the difficulty of
transcribing smrgsbord into katakana, undoubtedly) |
nCX |
haisu |
high-speed steel |
oC^[ |
baitaa |
gbiterh: ice cream on
a stick |
pCv |
paipu |
gpipesh: channels,
official or otherwise |
pCvEJbg |
paipu katto |
gpipe cuth: vasectomy |
oCΣ
[GΤ |
bai fyuueru sha |
dual fuel vehicle |
nC~X |
hai misu |
ghigh missh: older
unmarried woman |
nC[ |
haiyaa |
ghireh: a ghire car,h
a car and driver that can be contracted for short periods of time |
nEXE~kJ |
hausu manukan |
ghouse mannequinh:
sales clerk in a fancy boutique clothing store |
nEO |
hauringu |
ghowlingh: audio
feedback |
p[LOEhCo[ |
paakingu doraibaa |
gparking driverh:
parking valet |
o[R[h |
baakoodo |
gbar codeh: the
comb-over hairstyle favored by men vainly attempting to hide their baldness |
pW}ER[ |
pajama kooru |
gpajama callh:
late-night phone call |
o[WE[h |
baajin roodo |
gvirgin roadh: the
aisle that a bride walks down |
oXR |
pasukon |
bypass capacitor |
oXgtBbg |
basuto fitto |
gbust fith: the way a
bra fits |
oXg |
basu-tore |
bass-treble |
p\R |
pasokon |
personal computer |
p[\i» |
paasonaru-ka |
personalization, when
a product stops being a novelty or luxury and becomes a consumer item that
geveryoneh has, due to lower costs |
p`X |
pachisuro |
slot machine in a
pachinko parlor |
p`v |
pachipuro |
professional pachinko
player |
obNV |
bakkushan |
gbackh+German
gschoenh: used to describe a woman who looks
beautiful only from the back |
p` |
pachimon |
cheap knockoffs of
famous brands (not gairaigo) |
pbT[W |
passaaju |
gpassageh: a
glassed-over arcade |
ob^ |
battamon |
merchandise obtained
by buying out the inventories of failed retailers instead of going through
normal wholesale channels |
obeBO |
battingu |
gbuttingh: 1)
intruding on someone elsefs turf, 2) having a time or schedule conflict |
obe |
batten |
dialect word used in
Kyushu and a few other places for keredomoibut). |
oe |
bateren |
gpadreh: the old name
for the Portuguese priests who came to Japan in the sixteenth century |
o[e |
baaten |
bartender |
pgJ[ |
patokaa |
patrol car |
pgCg |
patoraito |
gpatrol lighth: a
rotating warning light similar to the one on a gpatokaa.h |
piz[ |
panahooru |
Panasert hole (semiconductors) |
pi}bNX |
panamakkusu |
Panamax, the maximum
size of ship that can pass through the Panama Canal |
p^N[ |
pantakuuru |
Capri pants, pedal
pushers |
n[t |
haafu |
ghalfh: a person of
mixed race, usually Japanese and something else |
n[t~[ |
haafu miraa |
ghalf mirrorh: 50%
beam splitter |
p[} |
paama |
permanent wave |
n}g |
hamatora |
gYokohama
traditionalh: a style of clothing popular in the late 1970s and resembling a
Catholic school uniform |
o |
bara |
bulk storage |
pTCgEVO |
parasaito shinguru |
gparasite singleh: a
single person who earns enough to live alone but prefers to live rent-free
with his or her parents |
oJ |
barikan |
barberfs clippers |
p[O |
pariigu |
Pacific League |
oR |
barikon |
variable condenser |
pX[^ |
parusu moota |
gpulse motorh:
stepping motor |
o{ |
baruboru |
gvalve volth: vacuum
tube volt meter |
n[[N |
haroo waaku |
gHello Workh: the new
name for the Japanese government employment agency |
pijXe |
pa(wa)sute |
power steering |
nXg |
hansuto |
hunger strike |
pXg |
pansuto |
short for peB[XgbLO(panty stocking), aka pantyhose. |
p^ |
@pantaron |
(French) gpantalonh: cropped pants |
nhLA[ |
hando kyariaa |
ghand carrierh:
employee of a messenger or delivery service |
nhtg |
handorifuto |
ghandlifth:
pallet jack, manual forklift |
ps |
panpi |
short for ippan piipuru (gmost people) |
sAX |
piasu |
gpierceh: ear or body
piercing |
q[| |
hiipon |
heat pump |
rIg[v |
biotoopu |
gbiotopeh: a wildlife
refuge |
rWlXEvf
[X |
bijinesu purodyuusu |
gbusiness produceh:
starting up and developing a business |
sXR |
pisuko |
piston corer |
r^r |
Bitabi fukugou |
Viterbi decoding |
rV`F |
bisuche |
bustier |
sbLO |
pikkingu |
gpickingh: a
distributor picking up merchandise form a storage facility |
sbgC |
pitto in |
gpit inh: pit stop |
qbp |
hippare |
hit parade |
qbv{[ |
hippuboon |
ghip-borneh: hip
hugger [pants] |
rjn |
binihan |
vinyl (plastic) headed
hammer |
rj{ |
binibon |
pornographic magazines
sold wrapped in plastic |
q[EpP[W |
hiiro pakeeji |
ghero packageh: a
commercial in which the product is the gheroh of the segment |
qnbg |
hiyari hatto |
(not gairaigo) a close call, a near miss |
rWbN |
birujakku |
gbuilding highjackh: a
hostage situation |
sNΏη΅ |
pinku chirashi |
a flyer advertising a
sex-related business |
t@CAXg[ |
faiasutoomu |
gfire stormh: a
celebratory bonfire |
t@Xg |
fasuton |
fast on [terminal] |
t@~R |
famikon |
gfamily computerh:
home video game machine. A trademark used generically |
t@~X |
famiresu |
family restaurant |
tBhr |
findorebin |
vinyl drainpipe with
fins |
tF[XV[g |
feesu shiito |
gface sheeth: 1) top
copy, 2) questionnaire that asks for a demographic profile |
tF~jXg |
feminisuto |
gfeministh: can literally
mean gfeminist,h but it also refers to a man who practices gladies firsth
etiquette. |
v`u |
puchiburu |
petit bourgeois |
tCO |
furaingu |
gflyingh: a false
start in an athletic competition |
uE― |
Buraun kan |
cathode ray tube |
vXAt@ |
purasu arufa |
gplus alphah: a little
more than usual |
vXhCo[ |
purasu doraibaa |
gplus driverh:
Phillips screwdriver (from the shape of the head) |
ubN |
burakku |
gblackh: a person with
a poor credit rating, who is therefore blacklisted |
us |
Burapi |
Brad Pitt |
v{bg |
purabottoru |
plastic bottle |
t}O |
furamagu |
flywheel magnet |
vf |
puramoderu |
plastic model |
vN |
purikura |
gPrint Clubh: a photo
booth that prints out cards and stickers of the resulting photograph. These
are then traded among friends. |
v[P[ |
purii-kee |
prepaid cellular phone
(keitai denwa) service |
t[^[ |
furiitaa |
a person who doesnft
have a steady job but survives on a series of temporary or part-time jobs |
t[_C |
furii daiyaru |
gfree dialh: toll-free
telephone call |
ubR |
burikko |
a young girl who
affects an exaggeratedly sweet and innocent manner (1980s slang) |
t[} |
furiima |
free market or flea
market |
v |
purin |
gpuddingh: sweet egg
custard |
vXR |
puresuko |
gprescoringh:
recording the music or sound effects before filming a scene |
tL |
fureki |
flexible cable |
tR |
furekon |
flexible conduit |
tR» |
furekonka |
changing something to
full remote control |
uXg |
buresuto |
brainstorming |
v]EGCh |
purezon eido |
presentation aid |
tAfB[ |
furoa redii |
gfloor ladyh: a kind
of bar hostess |
vO |
purogure |
progressive rock |
vX |
puroresu |
professional wrestling |
yAKX |
pea gurasu |
gpair glassh: double
glazing |
wAE}jL
A[ |
hea manikyuaa |
ghair manicureh:
temporary hair dye or streaks |
yAO |
pearing |
gpairinghh an
unmarried couple living together |
x[NIt |
beeku ofu |
gbake offh: when a
bakery bakes its wares from dough brought in from elsewhere |
xCAx[ |
bei/bee |
used in northern
dialects instead of darou or the tentative form of
the verb, as in egu bee for ikou
gLetfs go.h |
x[XAbv |
beesu appu |
gbase uph: salary
increase. Abbreviated as xA(bea). |
y[p[hCo[ |
peepaa doraibaa |
gpaper driverh: a
person who has a current driverfs license but doesnft own a car |
y`pC |
pechapai |
(not gairaigo) flat chested |
xe |
beteran |
gveteranh: an older
worker with extensive experience. Also used jokingly to refer to an old piece
of equipment. Not used to refer to people who have served in the military. |
xbh^E |
beddo taun |
gbed townh: bedroom
community |
ybg{g |
petto bottoru |
gPET bottleh: clear
plastic beverage bottle |
xr[I[ |
bebii ooru |
gbaby allh: a
one-piece garment with snaps up the front, sort of like a jumpsuit for babies |
xr[T[N |
bebii saakuru |
gbaby circleh: play
pen |
w |
heri |
helicopter |
wX |
herusu |
ghealthh: a type of
massage parlor |
xF |
beru tomo |
a person with whom one
communicates by pager (pokeberu) |
|CgE[N |
pointo meeku |
gpoint makeh: making
up only parts of onefs face instead of doing a full make-up job |
{Ln |
bokyahin |
lacking the words to
say what one means. (Bokya is short for
gvocabularyh) |
|PoC |
pokebai |
gpocket bikeh: a very
small motorbike |
|Pn |
pokeharo |
gpocket helloh: a
gpocket Hello Kittyh that combines a pedometer and a tamagotchi |
|Px |
pokeberu |
gpocket bellh: pager,
beeper |
|P |
Pokemon |
gpocket monsterh: Just
in case youfve been on another planet for a while, Ifll explain that this is
the name of an internationally popular cartoon series. |
|WtB |
poji firumu |
positive film |
zb`LX |
hocchikisu |
gHotchkissh: stapler
(from a brand name) |
{fBR |
bodikon |
gbody consciousnessh:
wearing tight clothes to show off onefs body |
{fBr |
bodibiru |
bodybuilding |
|e` |
potechi |
potato chip |
zg} |
hotomaru |
photo multiplier |
z[ |
hoomu |
railway platform |
z[EGXe |
hoomu esute |
ghome estheticsh: a
service that goes to clientsf homes to give beauty treatments |
z[X`[ |
hoomu suchiiru |
gstealing homeh in
baseball |
z[h} |
hoomu dorama |
ghome dramah: soap
opera |
z[hX |
hoomu doresu |
ghome dressh: house
dress, plain dress for everyday wear |
z[y[W |
hoomu peeji |
ghome pageh: used to
refer to an entire Web site. See gbvy[W(toppu peeji). |
|φ |
pori-kou |
slang for police
officer |
|ά |
pori bukuro |
polyethylene bag |
{
[ |
boryuumu |
gvolumeh: any kind of
adjustment knob, not necessarily for sound |
v}l |
puromane |
project manager |
}CR |
maikon |
1) microcomputer, 2)
moving (animated) icon |
}CiXV[O |
mainasu shiiringu |
gminus ceilingh: a
budget which is reduced in comparison to the previous fiscal year |
}Cu[ |
mai buumu |
gmy boomh: something
that a person is currently obsessed with or fascinated by |
}Cy[X |
mai peesu |
gmy paceh: at onefs
own pace |
}[PbgEC |
maaketto in |
gmarket inh:
incorporating the needs of the market into a product |
}UR |
mazakon |
mother complex |
}XRbg |
masukotto |
gmascoth: a small
thing that a person values (not only animals but also inanimate objects) |
}XR~ |
masukomi |
mass communications,
mass media |
}X^[ |
masutaa |
gmasterh: the owner of
a bar |
}en |
matehan |
materials handling |
}i[{^ |
manaa botan |
gmanner buttonh: the
button that prevents a cellular phone from ringing out loud in a public place |
}j
[V |
manyuusha |
minutia |
}l |
maneron |
money laundering |
}}` |
mamachari |
the kind of bicycle
favored by housewives running errands around their neighborhood |
}` |
maruchi |
1) multimedia, 2) multilevel
marketing |
}V |
manshon |
gmansionh: a
condominium apartment |
~V
|
mishuran |
gMichelinh: a
guidebook to anything, not just to tourist sites and restaurants |
~X |
misu |
mistake |
~XR |
misu kon |
gmiss contesth: a
beauty contest to name gMiss Tofuh or something like that |
~X^[fB[ |
misutaa redii |
gMr. Ladyh: a
transvestite |
~bV |
misshon |
1) transmission, 2)
stick shift car |
~jR~ |
minikomi |
communications within
a small range |
~[n[ |
miihaa |
overly fascinated with
and impressed by celebrities (not gairaigo) |
bN |
mukku |
gmagazineh+ gbookh: a
thick illustrated publication on a single topic printed to look like a
magazine |
[o[ |
muubaa |
gmoverh: a mechanical
ride |
[J[IvV |
meekaa opushon |
gmaker optionh:
factory-installed option |
J |
meka |
mechanism |
[N |
meeku |
make up |
[ |
meeru |
gmailh: used
[exclusively?] for e-mail |
NLbv |
mekura kyappu |
blank plug |
ι |
memoru |
to take notes |
bg |
meritto |
gmerith: advantage,
strong point |
Ah |
meru ado |
e-mail address |
F |
merutomo |
a friend with whom one
corresponds by e-mail- |
w`bN |
merhenchikku |
from the German word gMaerchenh: having a fairy tale atmosphere |
e |
mente |
maintenance |
K |
moga |
gmodern girlh: a
flapper (slang from the 1920s) |
[^[[V |
mootarizeeshon |
gmotorizationh: the
spread of car ownership within a developing country |
[e |
mooteru |
gmotelh: However, this
usually refers to a rabu hoteru. |
oC[ |
mo |