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 someonefs 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 ƒqƒ„ƒŠƒnƒbƒg (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

C”Ε

cyan separation (printing)

C–ΚŽζ‚θ

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 circuith doesnft 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 numberh 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‚©‚Β‚­Œά•b‘Ojhfive seconds from losing ith

M”Ε

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 (PL‹³’c), 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 doesnft 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 (ƒpƒ^ƒ“ƒLƒ…[ja sudden systemic breakdown or crash

PRTR

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry

R–ΚŽζ‚θ

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

TƒoƒbƒN

T-bakku

gT-backh: thong panties

VSP

vehicle speed

WƒJƒZƒbƒg

W-kasetto

double cassette; the prefix gWh is often used to mean gdoubleh

Y”Ε

Y-han

yellow separation (printing)

ƒAƒCƒXEƒLƒƒƒ“ƒfƒB[

aisu kyandii

gice candyh: a frozen treat similar to a Popsicle

ƒA[ƒ‹‚π‚Ζ‚ι

aaru o toru

take the radius

ƒAƒCƒeƒ€

aitemu

gitemh: something that one gjust has to haveh

ƒAƒCEƒ[ƒg

ai meeto

geye mateh: guide dog for the blind

ƒAƒEƒgƒpƒbƒN

autopakku

gout packh: 1) retail tray packaging, 2) outsourced packaging

ƒAƒNƒZƒ‹

akuseru

accelerator

ƒAƒNƒŠƒ‹

akuriru

acrylic, especially acrylic fiber

ƒAƒOƒƒ

agurome

agglomeration

’©ƒVƒƒƒ“

asa-shan

morning shampoo

ƒAƒVƒ}ƒl

ashimane

assistant manager

ƒAƒXEƒRƒ“

asu kon

asphalt concrete

ƒAƒbƒV[

asshii

gassy,h from the abbreviation for gassemblyh (automotive)

ƒAƒbƒeƒl[ƒ^[

atteneetaa

attenuator

ƒAƒbƒvƒg[ƒN

appu tooku

gup talk,h a style of speaking in which the speaker gives the end of each sentence or phrase a higher intonation

ƒAƒgƒs[

atopii

a predisposition toward allergies

ƒAƒi

ana

gannouncer,h often used as a title when the names of television announcers are shown on screen

ƒAƒiƒJƒ“

anakan

unaccompanied baggage

ƒAƒjƒJƒ‰

anikara

ganime karaoke,h karaoke accompanied by animation

ƒAƒjƒ

anime

animated cartoon

ƒAƒpƒRƒ“

apakon

aperture compensation

ƒAƒu

abu

shock absorber

ƒAƒtƒ^[ƒT[ƒrƒX

afutaa saabisu

gafter serviceh: services such as repairs and checkups provided to purchasers of a product

ƒAƒvƒŠ

apuri

(computer) application

ƒAƒtƒŒƒR

afureko

gafter recording,h adding sounds to a soundtrack after a movie has been filmed

ƒAƒ|

apo

appointment

ƒAƒƒJƒW

amekaji

American casual

ƒAƒƒtƒg

amefuto

American football

ƒA[ƒ€EƒEƒHƒ}[

aamu uomaa

garm warmerh A knitted sleeve, analogous to a leg warmer

ƒAƒ€ƒ‰[

Amuraa

young girls who imitate the style of singer Amuro Namie

ƒAƒ‹ƒTƒ

arusaro

garubaito saron,h a gsalonh where the hostesses are supposedly part-timers with other jobs

ƒAƒ“ƒOƒ‰

angura

underground

ƒAƒ“ƒP[ƒg

ankeeto

from French genqueteh: questionnaire

ƒAƒ“ƒRƒ“

ankon

gunconstructed,h an overcoat with very simple lines and no shoulder pads, etc.

ƒAƒ“ƒ_[ƒŠƒ„

andaa riya

rear underbody

ƒAƒ“ƒgƒŒ

antore

entrepreneurship

ƒAƒ“ƒrƒŠ@

anbiri

unbelievable

ƒCƒC

I-i

Iran-Iraq

ƒC[ƒW[ƒpƒ“ƒc

iijii pantsu

geasy pants,h loose-fitting pants with an elastic or drawstring waist

ƒCƒ\‘Μ

iso-tai

isomer

ƒCƒ^ƒJƒW

itakaji

Italian casual

ƒCƒ^‚ί‚΅

itameshi

Italian food

ˆκŠαƒŒƒt

ichigan refu

single lens reflex

ƒCƒƒ`ƒFƒ“

imechen

gimage changeh: what cute little teen idol singers have to go through if they hope to survive in show business past the age of nineteen

ƒCƒ‰ƒXƒg

irasuto

illustration

ƒCƒ‹ƒRƒ“

irukon

illumination control

ƒCƒ‹ƒ~

irumi

illumination

ƒCƒ“ƒNƒŠƒrƒWƒlƒX

inkuribijinesu

incremental business

ƒCƒ“ƒXƒg

insuto

ginstructions,h briefings for market researchers

ƒCƒ“ƒfƒB[ƒYEƒrƒfƒI

indiizu bideo

pornographic videos not approved by the@“ϊ–{ƒrƒfƒI—Ο—‹¦‰ο@(Nihon Bideo Rinri Kyoukai)

ƒCƒ“ƒeƒŠ

interi

intelligentsia

ƒCƒ“ƒpƒl

inpane

instrument panel

ƒCƒ“ƒtƒŒ

infure

inflation

ƒCƒ“ƒ|–ς

impo yaku

anti-impotence medication

ƒCƒ“ƒ}ƒj

inmani

intake manifold

ƒCƒ“ƒƒKƒ`ƒƒ[ƒg

inmegachaato

TV test pattern chart, megacycles chart

ƒEƒBƒ“ƒJ[

uinkaa

gwinkerh: the turn signal on a car

ƒEƒGƒX

uesu

rag (for wiping)

ƒEƒGƒXƒgƒ‚[ƒ‹

uestomooru

weather strip molding

ƒGƒAƒRƒ“

eakon

air conditioning

ƒGƒAƒTƒX

ea sasu

air suspension

ƒGƒAƒ‚ƒj

ea moni

on-air monitor

ƒG[ƒRƒbƒRƒV[

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.

ƒGƒLƒpƒC

ekipai

exhaust pipe

ƒGƒLƒ}ƒj

ekimani

exhaust manifold

ƒGƒRƒXƒe[ƒVƒ‡ƒ“

eko suteeshon

a service station for cars that run on alternative fuels

ŠGƒRƒ“ƒe

e-konte

storyboard (film)

ƒGƒXƒeEƒTƒƒ“

esute saron

gesthetic salon,h where people go to get makeovers, massages, facials, etc.

ƒGƒlƒgƒsƒA

enetopia

a housing development designed with an eye toward energy conservation

ƒGƒoƒ`ƒbƒv

ebachippu

gevaluation chiph: special version of a product with features that allow it to be used for evaluation

ƒGƒt

efu

tags attached to industrial equipment when defects or malfunctions are discovered. The tag is removed when the problem has been corrected.

ƒGƒ~ƒtƒBƒ‹

emifiru

EMI (electro-magnetic interference) filter

ƒGƒƒOƒ

eroguro

erotic and grotesque

ƒGƒ“ƒXƒg

ensuto

engine stall

ƒGƒ“ƒvƒ‰

enpura

engineering plastics

ƒIƒNƒVƒ‡ƒ“

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).

ƒI[ƒhƒuƒ‹

oodoburu

hors dfoeuvres

ƒIƒiƒhƒ‹

onadoru

gonanism idolh: a fantasy object for masturbation. Formerly ƒIƒiƒyƒbƒg (onapetto).

ƒIƒoƒ^ƒŠƒAƒ“

obatarian

gaunth+hbattalionh: a rude and obnoxious older woman

ƒIƒtƒRƒ“

ofukon

office computer

ƒIƒyƒAƒ“ƒv

opeanpu

operational amplifier

ƒIƒŠƒtƒ‰

orifura

orientation flat (semiconductors)

ƒIƒ‹ƒS[ƒ‹

orugooru

from German Orgel? music box

ŠηƒAƒbƒv

kao appu

close-up of a face

ƒKƒXƒNƒ

gasukuro

gas chromatography

ƒJƒXƒeƒ‰

kasutera

a type of pound cake (Portuguese word)

ƒJƒXƒeƒ“

kasuten

cabinet containing medical instruments (German word)

ƒJƒ[

kaze

If gwindh or gcoldh doesnft make sense, and the context is chemical, try gcasein.h

ƒJƒZƒbƒgƒR[ƒq[

kasetto koohii

gcassette coffeeh: a single serving of ground coffee in a plastic filter

ƒKƒbƒcƒ|[ƒY

gattsu poozu

gguts poseh: a triumphant pose assumed by an athlete

ƒJ[ƒiƒr

kaanabi

car navigation system

ƒJƒjƒoƒŠ

kanibari

cannibalization

ƒJƒ~ƒZƒ“

kamisen

gComing Centuryh: the younger members of the group V6

ƒJƒƒŠƒn

kameriha

camera rehearsal

ƒKƒ„

gaya

background chatter on a soundtrack (not gairaigo)

ƒJƒ‰ƒoƒ‰

karabara

ballads sung by Karashima Midori

ƒJƒ‹ƒEƒG

karu-ue

calcium wafer

ƒJƒ‹ƒe

karute

gKarteh (German) patientfs medical chart

ƒKƒ“ƒNƒ

gankuro

(not gairaigo) a darkly tanned face. Fashionable among trendy young people ca. 1999-2000.

ƒJƒ“ƒRƒƒW[

kankorojii

gcan ecologyh: beautifying a recreational or other public area by picking up empty beverage cans

ƒJƒ“ƒeƒ‰

kantera

an old-fashioned metal lantern (source uncertain)

ƒJƒ“ƒjƒ“ƒO

kanningu

gcunningh: cheating on a test

ƒKƒ“ƒoƒŠƒYƒ€

ganbarizumu

ggambarismh: the attitude that one must keep going no matter what. From the verb ‚ͺ‚ρ‚Ξ‚ι (ganbaru).

ƒKƒ“ƒvƒ‰

ganpura

Gundam plastic models

ƒL[ƒvƒTƒ“ƒvƒ‹

kiipu sanpuru

gkeep sampleh: reference sample

ƒMƒvƒX

gipusu

from German gGipsh: plaster cast (for broken bones)

ƒL[ƒvƒ{ƒbƒgƒ‹

kiipu botoru

gkeep bottleh: 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.

ƒLƒƒƒXƒ^[

kyasutaa

gcasterh: a newscaster

ƒLƒƒƒXƒeƒBƒ“ƒOEƒ{[ƒg

kyasuting booto

gcasting voteh: the deciding vote

ƒLƒƒƒbƒ`ƒRƒs[

kyatchi kopii

gcatch copyh: In copywriting, large text that appears in ads or brochures to catch the readerfs attention

ƒLƒƒƒbƒ`ƒZ[ƒ‹ƒX

kyatchi seerusu

gcatch salesh: an unscrupulous sales practice in which customers are pressured into signing expensive contracts that are hard to break.

ƒLƒƒƒbƒ`ƒo[

kyatchi baa

gcatch barh: the kind of bar that has touts standing outside trying to lure in customers

ƒLƒƒƒbƒ`ƒ{[ƒ‹

kyatchi booru

gcatch ballh: playing catch

ƒLƒƒƒbƒ`ƒzƒ“

kyatchihon

gcatch phoneh: call waiting

ƒLƒƒƒbƒv

kyappu

the top reporter at a newspaperfs local office

ƒLƒƒƒ‰

kyara

character in a manga (comic book) or anime (q.v.)

ƒMƒƒƒ‰

gyara

gguaranteedh fee paid to performing artists

ƒLƒƒƒŠƒA

kyaria

career government employee

ƒLƒƒƒ“ƒMƒƒƒ‹

kyangyaru

gcampaign galh: model featured in an advertising campaign

ƒLƒƒƒ“ƒsƒ“ƒOƒJ[

kyanpingu kaa

gcamping carh: trailer, caravan

ƒL[ƒ[ƒh

kiiwaado

gkeywordh: buzzword, catch phrase

ƒOƒbƒY

guzzu

ggoodsh: promotional items

ƒN[ƒ‰[

kuuraa

gcoolerh: air conditioner

ƒOƒ‰ƒCƒR

guraiko

graphic equalizerh

ƒNƒ‰ƒNƒVƒ‡ƒ“

kurakushon

gklaxonh: car horn

ƒNƒ‰ƒTƒo

kurasaba

client server

ƒOƒ‰ƒrƒA

gurabia

short for gphotogravureh

ƒOƒ‰ƒ“ƒh

gurando

ggroundh (electrical)

ƒNƒŠƒRƒ“

kurikon

Christmas concert

ƒOƒ‹ƒCƒ“

guruin

group interview

ƒOƒ‹ƒ

gurume

gourmet

ƒNƒŒƒpƒX

kurepasu

pastel crayons

ƒNƒŒ[ƒ€

kureemu

gclaimh: customer complaint

ƒNƒƒJƒ“

kurokan

gcross countryh: an off-road vehicle

ƒNƒƒRƒ“

kurokon

cross country skiing

ƒOƒƒX

gurosu

lip gloss

ƒNƒƒXƒjƒRƒ‹

kurosu nikoru

crossed Nichol prism

ƒPƒAƒEƒGƒ‹

kea ueru

wellness care

Œyƒgƒ‰ƒbƒN

kei-torakku

lightweight truck

ƒQ[ƒZƒ“

geesen

[video] game center

ƒQ[ƒgƒ{[ƒ‹

geetobooru

ggate ballh: a game similar to croquet

Œφ‰€ƒfƒrƒ†[

kouen debyuu

gpark debuth: bringing onefs child to the local park to play for the first time.

‡“―ƒRƒ“ƒp

goudou konpa

a gmixerh

ƒRƒMƒƒƒ‹

kogyaru

obsessively trend-conscious teen-age girls who may offer themselves for ‰‡•ŒπΫ (enjo kousai, usually translated as gcompensated datingh) with older men in order to finance their lifestyle

ƒRƒXƒvƒŒ

kosupure

gcostume playh: dressing up as onefs favorite manga or anime character

ƒRƒYƒ~ƒbƒNƒ{[ƒŠƒ“ƒO

kozumikku booringu

gcosmic bowlingh: bowling in a bowling alley that is lit up like a disco with lots of flashing lights

ƒRƒl

kone

gconnectionsh in the sense of knowing the grighth people

ƒRƒs[

kopii

1) photocopying; 2) the blurb on a book jacket

ƒRƒ}

koma

frame in a film or video

ƒRƒ}ƒ\ƒ“

komason

gcommercial songh: commercial jingle

Žqƒ}ƒ_ƒ€

komadamu

wealthy women who strive to follow the fashions exactly and be seen in all the right place

ƒRƒ~ƒPƒbƒg

komiketto

gcomic marketh: a convention where amateur manga artists sell their work

ƒRƒ~ƒ…ƒjƒP[ƒ^[

komyunikeetaa

gcommunicatorh: operator in a telemarketing business

ƒRƒ‰ƒ€

koramu

gcolumnh: a stand-alone feature article framed by a box

ƒR[ƒ‹ƒeƒ“

kooruten

corduroy

ƒRƒŒƒ|ƒ“

korepon

correspondence

ƒRƒ“ƒOƒ‰

kongura

computer graphics

ƒRƒ“ƒTƒo

konsaba

conservative

ƒRƒ“ƒXƒg

konsuto

control strip

ƒRƒ“ƒe

konte

gcontinuityh in film making

ƒRƒ“ƒp

konpa

a group drinking party held at a bar or restaurant

ƒRƒ“ƒpƒjƒIƒ“

konpanion

a young woman whose job it is to demonstrate products, hand out pamphlets, etc. at conventions and trade shows

ƒRƒ“ƒpƒl

konpane

1) plywood panel or 2) control panel

ƒRƒ“ƒpƒŒ[ƒg‚·‚ι

konpareeto suru

to compare

ƒRƒ“ƒrƒj

konbini

convenience store

ƒRƒ“ƒy

konpe

competition

ƒRƒ“ƒƒbƒh

konroddo

connecting rod (automotive)

ƒTƒCƒhEƒŠ[ƒ_[

saido riidaa

gside readerh: a supplementary reader in a foreign language classroom

ƒT[ƒrƒX

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

ƒT[ƒƒbƒg

saametto

ceramic metal. gCermeth is also used in English writing about the field of ceramics technology

ƒTƒEƒ“ƒhƒƒS

saundo rogo

gsound logoh: a commercial jingle

‚΄‚­‚λƒu[ƒ€

zakuro buumu

popularity of pomegranates, which contain phytoestrogens

ƒTƒhƒ“ƒfƒX

sadondesu

gsudden deathh overtime

ƒXƒuƒGƒR

sabo eko

sub-economizer (electronics)

ƒTƒ‰ƒhƒŒ

saradore

salad dressing

ƒTƒ“ƒPƒAŽw”

sankea shisuu

sun protection index

ƒTƒ“ƒXƒ|

sansupo

Sankei Sports

ƒTƒ“ƒgƒ‰

santora

soundtrack

ƒV[ƒ‹EƒZƒbƒg

shiiru setto

gseal seth: a set of stickers

ƒW[ƒWƒƒ

jiija

jeans jacket

ƒW[ƒpƒ“

jiipan

jeans, dungarees

ƒVƒOƒ‰

shigura

signal ground

ƒVƒXƒIƒy

shisuope

system operator; gsysoph is also used in English

ƒVƒYƒ‹ƒJƒbƒg

shizuru katto

gsizzle cuth: a mouth-watering image in an advertising. (The English term is gsizzle shot.h)

ƒVƒlƒRƒ“

shinekon

cinema complex

ƒVƒrƒ‹Eƒ~ƒjƒ}ƒ€

shibiru minimamu

gcivil minimumh: essential infrastructure

ƒVƒvƒŒƒqƒR[ƒ‹

shipurehi kooru

gSprech (German word for gspeakh) + callh: a voice call

ƒWƒxƒ^ƒŠƒAƒ“

jibetarian

young people who sit on the ground (jibeta) or sidewalk

ƒWƒƒƒXƒgƒNƒƒbƒN

jasuto kurokku

gjust clockh: an internal clock that is always correct

ƒWƒƒƒXƒsƒ“

jasupin

in perfect focus

ƒVƒƒƒlƒ‰[

Shaneraa

gChanelerh: young women completely outfitted in Chanel clothing and accessories. There are corresponding terms for fans of other designers.

ƒVƒƒ[ƒŒ

shaare

gSchaleh (German) a laboratory dish

ƒWƒƒƒ“ƒp[

janpaa

gjumperh: a windbreaker jacket

ƒVƒ…[ƒNƒŠ[ƒ€

shuu kuriimu

fake French gchoux crmeh: creampuff

ƒWƒ…ƒ“ƒƒ“

junron

Junlon, a synthetic fiber

ΘƒGƒl

shou ene

energy conservation

ƒWƒ‡ƒ“ƒgƒ‰

jontora

John Travolta

ƒVƒ‹ƒ{ƒ“ކ

shirubon shi

lens-cleaning paper

ƒVƒ“ƒNƒ

shinkuro

oscilloscope

ƒVƒ“ƒNƒ”[“ό

shinkuro nounyuu

synchronous supply

ƒV[ƒ“ƒ^ƒtƒlƒX«

shiin tafunesusei

gscene toughnessh: the ability of a video camera to hold a scene steady

ƒVƒ“ƒ|

shinpo

symposium

ƒXƒJƒCƒ‰ƒCƒ“

sukairain

gskylineh: a scenic mountain road

ƒXƒLƒƒƒ“ƒg[ƒN

skyantooku

gScan Talkh: a barcode system for recording and playing back brief sequences of sound (brand name)

ƒXƒLƒ“ƒVƒbƒv

skinshippu

gskinshiph: emotional communication through touch

ƒXƒLƒ“ƒŒƒfƒB[

sukin redii

gskin ladyh: a saleswoman who goes door to door selling condoms

ƒXƒP[ƒ‹ƒƒŠƒbƒg

sukeeru meritto

gscale merith: economies of scale

ƒXƒ^ƒ“ƒKƒ“

sutangan

stun gun

ƒXƒ^ƒ“ƒfƒBƒ“ƒO

sutanding

free-standing bar

ƒXƒ`ƒRƒ“

suchikon

Styrol condensor

ƒXƒbƒ`

succhi

short for gstewardessh

ŽΜ‚Δƒ|ƒW

sutepoji

photographic prints that you donft keep

ƒXƒgƒp[

sutopaa

straight perm

ƒXƒpƒtƒ@ƒN

supafaku

Much more innocent than it sounds, this is student slang for the restaurant chain gSpaghetti Factory.h

ƒXƒyƒAƒi

supeana

spectrum analyzer

ƒXƒ|ƒhƒŠ

supodori

sports drink

ƒXƒ‰ƒCƒ_ƒbƒN

suraidakku

variable autotransformer

ƒXƒŠ[ƒ^[

suriitaa

gthreeterh: a three-wheeled bicycle

ƒXƒ‹[ƒŒ[ƒg

suruureeto

slew rate

ƒZƒJƒ“ƒhƒXƒN[ƒ‹

sekando sukuuru

gsecond schoolh: an outdoor environmental educational program for city children

ƒZƒJƒ“ƒhEƒoƒbƒO

sekando baggu

gsecond bagh: a zippered carrying case

ƒZƒbƒNƒXƒtƒŒƒ“ƒh

sekkusu furendo

gsex friendh: someone with whom one is not romantically involved but frequently has sexual relations with anyway. Also known as ‚β‚θ‚Ζ‚ΰ(yaritomo).

ƒZƒbƒgEƒ[ƒJ[

setto meekaa

manufacturer of assembled products

ƒ[ƒlƒRƒ“

zenekon

general contractor

‚Ί‚θ

zeri

gjellyh: sweet flavored gelatin dessert. The most popular flavors are ƒR[ƒq[ and ƒƒCƒ“.

ƒZƒŠ[ƒO

Se Riigu

Central League

ƒZƒ‹•t

seru-tsuki

with a self-starter

ƒZƒ‹ƒtƒAƒbƒvƒlƒW

serufu appu neji

gself up screwh: captive screw

ƒZƒ‹ƒtƒXƒ^ƒ“ƒh

serufu sutando

gself standh: self-service gasoline station

ƒ[ƒ“ƒXƒg

zensuto

general strike

ƒXƒsƒRƒ“

supikon

speed controller

ƒ\ƒQAƒ\[ƒQ

soge, sooge

(not gairaigo) Dialect variation of‚»‚€@(sou).ƒ\[ƒQƒi(soogena)= ‚»‚ρ‚Θ (sonna)

ƒ\ƒtƒgƒNƒŠ[ƒ€

sofuto kuriimu

gsoft creamh: soft-serve ice cream

ƒ\[ƒvƒ‰ƒ“ƒh

soopurando

gsoap landh: a bath house/massage parlor offering sexual services. Formerly ƒgƒ‹ƒR(toruko) from gTurkish bath,h but changed after protests from Turks resident in Japan.

ƒ\ƒ‹ƒxƒ“—¦

soruben ritsu

solvency ratio

ƒ_ƒCƒ„

daiya

1) diamond, or 2) train schedule

ƒ^ƒEƒ‹ƒPƒbƒg

tauruketto

gtowelketh: a type of bed linen resembling a large beach towel and used to cover onefs self in hot weather

ƒ_ƒEƒ“ƒTƒCƒWƒ“ƒO

daunsaijingu

gdownsizingh: switching from mainframe to personal computers

ƒ^ƒNƒgƒ^ƒCƒ€

takuto taimu

gtact timeh: has to do with productivity, but discussions on the Honyaku mailing list indicate that its exact meaning may vary from company to company.

ƒ^ƒRƒWƒFƒl

takojene

tachogenerator

ƒ_ƒXƒgƒ{ƒbƒNƒX

dasuto bokkusu

gdust boxh: Dumpster

ƒ^ƒbƒNƒV[ƒ‹

takku shiiru

gtack sealh: a round gummed sticker

ƒ_ƒ{

dabo

dowel

ƒ_ƒ‹ƒ[ƒW

darumeeji

Dulmadge-type screw

ƒ_ƒ“‚·‚ι

@dan suru

make a done deal

ƒ`ƒNƒ\«

chikusosei

thixotrophy (gthe property of certain gels to liquefy when subjected to vibratory forcesh)

ƒ`ƒNƒ\ƒ‚[ƒ‹ƒh

chikuso moorudo

thixomolding (plastic and semiconductor industries)

ƒ`ƒbƒv’οR

chippu teikou

SMT resistor

ƒ`ƒƒ[ƒ€ƒ|ƒCƒ“ƒg

chaamu pointo

gcharm pointh: most attractive feature

ƒ`ƒƒƒŠiƒ“ƒRj

chari(nko)

bicycle

ƒ`ƒ‡ƒxƒŠƒO

choberigu

very, very good (teen slang)

ƒ`ƒ‡ƒxƒŠƒo

choberiba

very, very bad (teen slang)

ƒ`ƒ‡ƒ€ƒJ

chomuka

very sickening (not gairaigo, teen slang)

ƒ`ƒ“ƒsƒ‰

chinpira

a young punk, young yakuza gangster (not gairaigo)

ƒfƒBƒWƒJƒ

dijikame

digital camera

ƒfƒBƒWƒ{ƒ‹

dijiboru

digital voltmeter

ƒfƒj‚ι

deniru

to eat at Dennyfs

ƒfƒmƒ~

denomi

gdenominationh: reducing the face value of currency after inflation has created impossibly high numbers

ƒe[ƒvƒJƒbƒg

teepu katto

gtape cuth: ribbon cutting ceremony

ƒe[ƒuƒ‹ƒ^ƒbƒv

teeburu tappu

gtable taph: a power strip

ƒfƒtƒŒ

defure

deflation

ƒeƒŒƒNƒ‰

terekura

gtelephone clubh: a telephone chat line/hdatingh service

ƒeƒŒƒR

tereko

tape recorder

ƒeƒŒ•ϊ‘θ

tere houdai

NTTfs unmetered telephone service

ƒeƒŒƒ[ƒN

terewaaku

gteleworkh: telecommuting

ƒeƒ

tero

terrorism

ƒeƒƒbƒv

teroppu

on-screen titles

ƒh[ƒAƒbƒv

doo appu

extreme close-up

ƒhƒCƒg

doito

a gdo-it-yourselfh store

ƒg[ƒL

tooki

gtalkieh: a prerecorded announcement

ƒhƒNƒ^[EƒXƒgƒbƒv

dokutaa sutoppu

gdoctor stoph: being ordered by onefs doctor to give up such habits as drinking, smoking, overeating, etc.

ƒhƒ`ƒƒƒLƒƒƒ“

docha kyan

abbreviation of gdotanba de kyanseru suruh (cancel at the last minute)

ƒgƒbƒvƒy[ƒW

toppu peeji

gtop pageh: the home page of a Web site. See ƒz[ƒ€ƒy[ƒW.

ƒgƒbƒvƒ‰ƒ“ƒi[

toppu rannaa

gtop runnerh: a system of benchmarking against the best-in-class performance

ƒhƒ‰ƒRƒ“

dorakon

driving contest

ƒgƒ‰ƒ|ƒ“

torapon

transponder

ƒgƒ‰ƒ“ƒX

toransu

transformer

ƒgƒ‹ƒRƒ“

torukon

torque converter

ƒhƒ‹ƒyƒbƒO

doru peggu

gdollar pegh: being pegged to the dollar

ƒgƒŒƒy

torepe

tracing paper

ƒhƒƒA

doroa

drawer

ƒiƒCƒXEƒ~ƒfƒBEƒpƒX

naisu midi pasu

gnice middy passh: a discount rail pass for groups of women over 30 who are traveling together

ƒiƒCƒ‰ƒbƒ`

nairacchi

nylon latch

ƒiƒE‚’

naui

gnowyh: up-to-date (slang from the 1980s)

ƒiƒEƒiƒEƒCƒYƒ€

naunauizumu

gnow-now-ismh: being interested only in the here and now without any regard for the future

ƒiƒVƒ…ƒvƒ

nashupuro

national project

ƒi[ƒXƒR[ƒ‹

naasu kooru

gnurse callh: a patientfs call button in a hospital

‚Θ‚Βƒƒ

natsumero

gnatsukashii melodyh: nostalgic melody

ƒjƒbƒJƒh“d’r

nikkado denchi

nickel cadmium battery

ƒjƒ…[ƒgƒ‰

nyuutora

gnew traditionalh

ƒjƒ…[ƒn[ƒt

nyuu haafu

gnew halfh: transsexual

lŠΤƒhƒbƒN

ningen dokku

ghuman [dry]dockh: a thorough physical exam

ƒlƒO‚ι

neguru

neglect

ƒlƒ`ƒYƒ“

nechizun

Netizen

ƒlƒbƒN

nekku

bottleneck

ƒm[ƒpƒ“

noopan

gno pantiesh: used to describe various establishments where the waitresses wear short skirts and no underpants.

ƒm[ƒwƒ‹

nooheru

without a helmet

ƒm[ƒ}[ƒN

noomaaku

gno markh: not covered, not observed, occurring off the radar. Used especially to refer to a rival companyfs having been first to develop a new product.

ƒmƒ“ƒRƒ“ƒfƒUƒCƒ“

nonkon dezain

nonconforming design

ƒmƒ“ƒZƒNƒVƒ‡ƒ“

non sekushon

gnon sectionh: unaffiliated

ƒmƒ“ƒZƒNƒg

non sekuto

non-sectarian

ƒoƒC‚Ά‚’

baijii

:Viagra ojiisanh: an old man who takes Viagra

ƒmƒ“ƒ|ƒŠ

non pori

non-political

ƒoƒCƒLƒ“ƒO

baikingu

gVikingh: a smrgsbord or buffet dinner, from the Scandinavian origins of the smrgsbord (and the difficulty of transcribing smrgsbord into katakana, undoubtedly)

ƒnƒCƒX

haisu

high-speed steel

ƒoƒCƒ^[

baitaa

gbiterh: ice cream on a stick

ƒpƒCƒv

paipu

gpipesh: channels, official or otherwise

ƒpƒCƒvEƒJƒbƒg

paipu katto

gpipe cuth: vasectomy

ƒoƒC‚Σƒ…[ƒGƒ‹ŽΤ

bai fyuueru sha

dual fuel vehicle

ƒnƒCƒ~ƒX

hai misu

ghigh missh: older unmarried woman

ƒnƒCƒ„[

haiyaa

ghireh: a ghire car,h a car and driver that can be contracted for short periods of time

ƒnƒEƒXEƒ~ƒkƒJƒ“

hausu manukan

ghouse mannequinh: sales clerk in a fancy boutique clothing store

ƒnƒEƒŠƒ“ƒO

hauringu

ghowlingh: audio feedback

ƒp[ƒLƒ“ƒOEƒhƒ‰ƒCƒo[

paakingu doraibaa

gparking driverh: parking valet

ƒo[ƒR[ƒh

baakoodo

gbar codeh: the comb-over hairstyle favored by men vainly attempting to hide their baldness

ƒpƒWƒƒƒ}EƒR[ƒ‹

pajama kooru

gpajama callh: late-night phone call

ƒo[ƒWƒ“Eƒ[ƒh

baajin roodo

gvirgin roadh: the aisle that a bride walks down

ƒoƒXƒRƒ“

pasukon

bypass capacitor

ƒoƒXƒgƒtƒBƒbƒg

basuto fitto

gbust fith: the way a bra fits

ƒoƒXƒgƒŒ

basu-tore

bass-treble

ƒpƒ\ƒRƒ“

pasokon

personal computer

ƒp[ƒ\ƒiƒ‹‰»

paasonaru-ka

personalization, when a product stops being a novelty or luxury and becomes a consumer item that geveryoneh has, due to lower costs

ƒpƒ`ƒXƒ

pachisuro

slot machine in a pachinko parlor

ƒpƒ`ƒvƒ

pachipuro

professional pachinko player

ƒoƒbƒNƒVƒƒƒ“

bakkushan

gbackh+German gschoenh: used to describe a woman who looks beautiful only from the back

ƒpƒ`ƒ‚ƒ“

pachimon

cheap knockoffs of famous brands (not gairaigo)

ƒpƒbƒT[ƒW

passaaju

gpassageh: a glassed-over arcade

ƒoƒbƒ^ƒ‚ƒ“

battamon

merchandise obtained by buying out the inventories of failed retailers instead of going through normal wholesale channels

ƒoƒbƒeƒBƒ“ƒO

battingu

gbuttingh: 1) intruding on someone elsefs turf, 2) having a time or schedule conflict

ƒoƒbƒeƒ“

batten

dialect word used in Kyushu and a few other places for keredomoibut).

ƒoƒeƒŒƒ“

bateren

gpadreh: the old name for the Portuguese priests who came to Japan in the sixteenth century

ƒo[ƒeƒ“

baaten

bartender

ƒpƒgƒJ[

patokaa

patrol car

ƒpƒgƒ‰ƒCƒg

patoraito

gpatrol lighth: a rotating warning light similar to the one on a gpatokaa.h

ƒpƒiƒz[ƒ‹

panahooru

Panasert hole (semiconductors)

ƒpƒiƒ}ƒbƒNƒX

panamakkusu

Panamax, the maximum size of ship that can pass through the Panama Canal

ƒpƒ“ƒ^ƒN[ƒ‹

pantakuuru

Capri pants, pedal pushers

ƒn[ƒt

haafu

ghalfh: a person of mixed race, usually Japanese and something else

ƒn[ƒtƒ~ƒ‰[

haafu miraa

ghalf mirrorh: 50% beam splitter

ƒp[ƒ}

paama

permanent wave

ƒnƒ}ƒgƒ‰

hamatora

gYokohama traditionalh: a style of clothing popular in the late 1970s and resembling a Catholic school uniform

ƒoƒ‰

bara

bulk storage

ƒpƒ‰ƒTƒCƒgEƒVƒ“ƒOƒ‹

parasaito shinguru

gparasite singleh: a single person who earns enough to live alone but prefers to live rent-free with his or her parents

ƒoƒŠƒJƒ“

barikan

barberfs clippers

ƒpƒŠ[ƒO

pariigu

Pacific League

ƒoƒŠƒRƒ“

barikon

variable condenser

ƒpƒ‹ƒXƒ‚[ƒ^

parusu moota

gpulse motorh: stepping motor

ƒoƒ‹ƒ{ƒ‹

baruboru

gvalve volth: vacuum tube volt meter

ƒnƒ[ƒ[ƒN

haroo waaku

gHello Workh: the new name for the Japanese government employment agency

ƒpiƒjƒXƒe

pa(wa)sute

power steering

ƒnƒ“ƒXƒg

hansuto

hunger strike

ƒpƒ“ƒXƒg

pansuto

short for ƒpƒ“ƒeƒB[ƒXƒgƒbƒLƒ“ƒO(panty stocking), aka pantyhose.

ƒpƒ“ƒ^ƒƒ“

@pantaron

(French) gpantalonh: cropped pants

ƒnƒ“ƒhƒLƒƒƒŠƒA[

hando kyariaa

ghand carrierh: employee of a messenger or delivery service

ƒnƒ“ƒhƒŠƒtƒg

handorifuto

ghandlifth: pallet jack, manual forklift

ƒpƒ“ƒs

panpi

short for ippan piipuru (gmost people)

ƒsƒAƒX

piasu

gpierceh: ear or body piercing

ƒq[ƒ|ƒ“

hiipon

heat pump

ƒrƒIƒg[ƒv

biotoopu

gbiotopeh: a wildlife refuge

ƒrƒWƒlƒXEƒvƒƒfƒ…[ƒX

bijinesu purodyuusu

gbusiness produceh: starting up and developing a business

ƒsƒXƒR

pisuko

piston corer

ƒrƒ^ƒr•œ†

Bitabi fukugou

Viterbi decoding

ƒrƒVƒ`ƒF

bisuche

bustier

ƒsƒbƒLƒ“ƒO

pikkingu

gpickingh: a distributor picking up merchandise form a storage facility

ƒsƒbƒgƒCƒ“

pitto in

gpit inh: pit stop

ƒqƒbƒpƒŒ

hippare

hit parade

ƒqƒbƒvƒ{[ƒ“

hippuboon

ghip-borneh: hip hugger [pants]

ƒrƒjƒnƒ“

binihan

vinyl (plastic) headed hammer

ƒrƒjƒ{ƒ“

binibon

pornographic magazines sold wrapped in plastic

ƒq[ƒEƒpƒP[ƒW

hiiro pakeeji

ghero packageh: a commercial in which the product is the gheroh of the segment

ƒqƒ„ƒŠƒnƒbƒg

hiyari hatto

(not gairaigo) a close call, a near miss

ƒrƒ‹ƒWƒƒƒbƒN

birujakku

gbuilding highjackh: a hostage situation

ƒsƒ“ƒN‚Ώ‚η‚΅

pinku chirashi

a flyer advertising a sex-related business

ƒtƒ@ƒCƒAƒXƒg[ƒ€

faiasutoomu

gfire stormh: a celebratory bonfire

ƒtƒ@ƒXƒgƒ“

fasuton

fast on [terminal]

ƒtƒ@ƒ~ƒRƒ“

famikon

gfamily computerh: home video game machine. A trademark used generically

ƒtƒ@ƒ~ƒŒƒX

famiresu

family restaurant

ƒtƒBƒ“ƒhƒŒƒrƒ“

findorebin

vinyl drainpipe with fins

ƒtƒF[ƒXƒV[ƒg

feesu shiito

gface sheeth: 1) top copy, 2) questionnaire that asks for a demographic profile

ƒtƒFƒ~ƒjƒXƒg

feminisuto

gfeministh: can literally mean gfeminist,h but it also refers to a man who practices gladies firsth etiquette.

ƒvƒ`ƒuƒ‹

puchiburu

petit bourgeois

ƒtƒ‰ƒCƒ“ƒO

furaingu

gflyingh: a false start in an athletic competition

ƒuƒ‰ƒEƒ“Š―

Buraun kan

cathode ray tube

ƒvƒ‰ƒXƒAƒ‹ƒtƒ@

purasu arufa

gplus alphah: a little more than usual

ƒvƒ‰ƒXƒhƒ‰ƒCƒo[

purasu doraibaa

gplus driverh: Phillips screwdriver (from the shape of the head)

ƒuƒ‰ƒbƒN

burakku

gblackh: a person with a poor credit rating, who is therefore blacklisted

ƒuƒ‰ƒs

Burapi

Brad Pitt

ƒvƒ‰ƒ{ƒbƒgƒ‹

purabottoru

plastic bottle

ƒtƒ‰ƒ}ƒO

furamagu

flywheel magnet

ƒvƒ‰ƒ‚ƒfƒ‹

puramoderu

plastic model

ƒvƒŠƒNƒ‰

purikura

gPrint Clubh: a photo booth that prints out cards and stickers of the resulting photograph. These are then traded among friends.

ƒvƒŠ[ƒP[

purii-kee

prepaid cellular phone (keitai denwa) service

ƒtƒŠ[ƒ^[

furiitaa

a person who doesnft have a steady job but survives on a series of temporary or part-time jobs

ƒtƒŠ[ƒ_ƒCƒ„ƒ‹

furii daiyaru

gfree dialh: toll-free telephone call

ƒuƒŠƒbƒR

burikko

a young girl who affects an exaggeratedly sweet and innocent manner (1980s slang)

ƒtƒŠ[ƒ}

furiima

free market or flea market

ƒvƒŠƒ“

purin

gpuddingh: sweet egg custard

ƒvƒŒƒXƒR

puresuko

gprescoringh: recording the music or sound effects before filming a scene

ƒtƒŒƒL

fureki

flexible cable

ƒtƒŒƒRƒ“

furekon

flexible conduit

ƒtƒŒƒRƒ“‰»

furekonka

changing something to full remote control

ƒuƒŒƒXƒg

buresuto

brainstorming

ƒvƒŒƒ]ƒ“EƒGƒCƒh

purezon eido

presentation aid

ƒtƒƒAƒŒƒfƒB[

furoa redii

gfloor ladyh: a kind of bar hostess

ƒvƒƒOƒŒ

purogure

progressive rock

ƒvƒƒŒƒX

puroresu

professional wrestling

ƒyƒAƒKƒ‰ƒX

pea gurasu

gpair glassh: double glazing

ƒwƒAEƒ}ƒjƒLƒ…ƒA[

hea manikyuaa

ghair manicureh: temporary hair dye or streaks

ƒyƒAƒŠƒ“ƒO

pearing

gpairinghh an unmarried couple living together

ƒx[ƒNƒIƒt

beeku ofu

gbake offh: when a bakery bakes its wares from dough brought in from elsewhere

ƒxƒCAƒx[

bei/bee

used in northern dialects instead of darou or the tentative form of the verb, as in egu bee for ikou gLetfs go.h

ƒx[ƒXƒAƒbƒv

beesu appu

gbase uph: salary increase. Abbreviated as ƒxƒA(bea).

ƒy[ƒp[ƒhƒ‰ƒCƒo[

peepaa doraibaa

gpaper driverh: a person who has a current driverfs license but doesnft own a car

ƒyƒ`ƒƒƒpƒC

pechapai

(not gairaigo) flat chested

ƒxƒeƒ‰ƒ“

beteran

gveteranh: 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.

ƒxƒbƒhƒ^ƒEƒ“

beddo taun

gbed townh: bedroom community

ƒyƒbƒgƒ{ƒgƒ‹

petto bottoru

gPET bottleh: clear plastic beverage bottle

ƒxƒr[ƒI[ƒ‹

bebii ooru

gbaby allh: a one-piece garment with snaps up the front, sort of like a jumpsuit for babies

ƒxƒr[ƒT[ƒNƒ‹

bebii saakuru

gbaby circleh: play pen

ƒwƒŠ

heri

helicopter

ƒwƒ‹ƒX

herusu

ghealthh: a type of massage parlor

ƒxƒ‹—F

beru tomo

a person with whom one communicates by pager (pokeberu)

ƒ|ƒCƒ“ƒgEƒ[ƒN

pointo meeku

gpoint makeh: making up only parts of onefs face instead of doing a full make-up job

ƒ{ƒLƒƒ•n

bokyahin

lacking the words to say what one means. (Bokya is short for gvocabularyh)

ƒ|ƒPƒoƒC

pokebai

gpocket bikeh: a very small motorbike

ƒ|ƒPƒnƒ

pokeharo

gpocket helloh: a gpocket Hello Kittyh that combines a pedometer and a tamagotchi

ƒ|ƒPƒxƒ‹

pokeberu

gpocket bellh: pager, beeper

ƒ|ƒPƒ‚ƒ“

Pokemon

gpocket monsterh: Just in case youfve been on another planet for a while, Ifll explain that this is the name of an internationally popular cartoon series.

ƒ|ƒWƒtƒBƒ‹ƒ€

poji firumu

positive film

ƒzƒbƒ`ƒLƒX

hocchikisu

gHotchkissh: stapler (from a brand name)

ƒ{ƒfƒBƒRƒ“

bodikon

gbody consciousnessh: wearing tight clothes to show off onefs body

ƒ{ƒfƒBƒrƒ‹

bodibiru

bodybuilding

ƒ|ƒeƒ`

potechi

potato chip

ƒzƒgƒ}ƒ‹

hotomaru

photo multiplier

ƒz[ƒ€

hoomu

railway platform

ƒz[ƒ€EƒGƒXƒe

hoomu esute

ghome estheticsh: a service that goes to clientsf homes to give beauty treatments

ƒz[ƒ€ƒXƒ`[ƒ‹

hoomu suchiiru

gstealing homeh in baseball

ƒz[ƒ€ƒhƒ‰ƒ}

hoomu dorama

ghome dramah: soap opera

ƒz[ƒ€ƒhƒŒƒX

hoomu doresu

ghome dressh: house dress, plain dress for everyday wear

ƒz[ƒ€ƒy[ƒW

hoomu peeji

ghome pageh: used to refer to an entire Web site. See ƒgƒbƒvƒy[ƒW(toppu peeji).

ƒ|ƒŠŒφ

pori-kou

slang for police officer

ƒ|ƒŠ‘ά

pori bukuro

polyethylene bag

ƒ{ƒŠƒ…[ƒ€

boryuumu

gvolumeh: any kind of adjustment knob, not necessarily for sound

ƒvƒƒ}ƒl

puromane

project manager

ƒ}ƒCƒRƒ“

maikon

1) microcomputer, 2) moving (animated) icon

ƒ}ƒCƒiƒXƒV[ƒŠƒ“ƒO

mainasu shiiringu

gminus ceilingh: a budget which is reduced in comparison to the previous fiscal year

ƒ}ƒCƒu[ƒ€

mai buumu

gmy boomh: something that a person is currently obsessed with or fascinated by

ƒ}ƒCƒy[ƒX

mai peesu

gmy paceh: at onefs own pace

ƒ}[ƒPƒbƒgEƒCƒ“

maaketto in

gmarket inh: incorporating the needs of the market into a product

ƒ}ƒUƒRƒ“

mazakon

mother complex

ƒ}ƒXƒRƒbƒg

masukotto

gmascoth: a small thing that a person values (not only animals but also inanimate objects)

ƒ}ƒXƒRƒ~

masukomi

mass communications, mass media

ƒ}ƒXƒ^[

masutaa

gmasterh: the owner of a bar

ƒ}ƒeƒnƒ“

matehan

materials handling

ƒ}ƒi[ƒ{ƒ^ƒ“

manaa botan

gmanner buttonh: the button that prevents a cellular phone from ringing out loud in a public place

ƒ}ƒjƒ…[ƒVƒƒ

manyuusha

minutia

ƒ}ƒlƒƒ“

maneron

money laundering

ƒ}ƒ}ƒ`ƒƒƒŠ

mamachari

the kind of bicycle favored by housewives running errands around their neighborhood

ƒ}ƒ‹ƒ`

maruchi

1) multimedia, 2) multilevel marketing

ƒ}ƒ“ƒVƒ‡ƒ“

manshon

gmansionh: a condominium apartment

ƒ~ƒVƒ…ƒ‰ƒ“

mishuran

gMichelinh: a guidebook to anything, not just to tourist sites and restaurants

ƒ~ƒX

misu

mistake

ƒ~ƒXƒRƒ“

misu kon

gmiss contesth: a beauty contest to name gMiss Tofuh or something like that

ƒ~ƒXƒ^[ƒŒƒfƒB[

misutaa redii

gMr. Ladyh: a transvestite

ƒ~ƒbƒVƒ‡ƒ“

misshon

1) transmission, 2) stick shift car

ƒ~ƒjƒRƒ~

minikomi

communications within a small range

ƒ~[ƒn[

miihaa

overly fascinated with and impressed by celebrities (not gairaigo)

ƒ€ƒbƒN

mukku

gmagazineh+ gbookh: a thick illustrated publication on a single topic printed to look like a magazine

ƒ€[ƒo[

muubaa

gmoverh: a mechanical ride

ƒ[ƒJ[ƒIƒvƒVƒ‡ƒ“

meekaa opushon

gmaker optionh: factory-installed option

ƒƒJ

meka

mechanism

ƒ[ƒN

meeku

make up

ƒ[ƒ‹

meeru

gmailh: used [exclusively?] for e-mail

ƒƒNƒ‰ƒLƒƒƒbƒv

mekura kyappu

blank plug

ƒƒ‚‚ι

memoru

to take notes

ƒƒŠƒbƒg

meritto

gmerith: advantage, strong point

ƒƒ‹ƒAƒh

meru ado

e-mail address

ƒƒ‹—F

merutomo

a friend with whom one corresponds by e-mail-

ƒƒ‹ƒwƒ“ƒ`ƒbƒN

merhenchikku

from the German word gMaerchenh: having a fairy tale atmosphere

ƒƒ“ƒe

mente

maintenance

ƒ‚ƒK

moga

gmodern girlh: a flapper (slang from the 1920s)

ƒ‚[ƒ^ƒŠƒ[[ƒVƒ‡ƒ“

mootarizeeshon

gmotorizationh: the spread of car ownership within a developing country

ƒ‚[ƒeƒ‹

mooteru

gmotelh: However, this usually refers to a rabu hoteru.

ƒ‚ƒoƒCƒ‰[

mo