Wasei-Eigo and Clipped Words: Katakana Flashcards Guide
Why some words are in katakana, the English made in Japan like サラリーマン, and clipped words like パソコン, with audio for every word.
Once you can read katakana with katakana flashcards, a new puzzle appears. Some katakana words aren't loanwords at all, some look English but mean something else, and some are chopped-down versions of longer words.
This guide explains all three: why words end up in katakana, the "English" made in Japan, and the clipped words you'll hear every day.
Why Are Some Words Written in Katakana?
Loanwords are the main reason, but not the only one. Katakana also does a few other jobs, and once you know them, you'll understand why a word is written the way it is. Here are the five common uses, with audio:
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Loanwords | コーヒー (koohii, coffee) |
| Foreign names and places | アメリカ (amerika, America) |
| Emphasis | オススメ (osusume, recommended) |
| Sound effects | ドキドキ (dokidoki, heart pounding) |
| Plants and animals in science | サクラ (sakura, cherry tree) |
Foreign names and places
Names of foreign people, countries and cities are written in katakana, like loanwords. That includes your name: see Your Name in Katakana.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
アメリカ | amerika | America |
ロンドン | rondon | London |
スミス | sumisu | Smith (a family name) |
Emphasis
Writing a word in katakana makes it stand out, a little like italics or bold in English. You'll see it on posters, menus and in comics.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
ダメ | dame | no good, not allowed (usually 駄目): katakana makes it punchier |
ココ | koko | here (usually ここ): stands out on posters and signs |
オススメ | osusume | recommended (usually おすすめ): common on menus and shop signs |
Sound effects
Japanese has lots of sound and feeling words. They're written in hiragana or katakana depending on the writer; comics often use katakana for noisy, punchy sounds.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
ドキドキ | dokidoki | heart pounding |
ワンワン | wanwan | woof woof |
ガチャン | gachan | crash, clatter |
Plants and animals in science
In biology and science writing, species names are often written in katakana, even for native plants and animals. You'll also see this at zoos, aquariums and museums.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
ヒト | hito | human (as a species) |
イヌ | inu | dog |
サクラ | sakura | cherry tree |
What Is Wasei-Eigo?
Wasei-eigo means "English made in Japan". These are katakana words built from English parts in Japan, or English words whose meaning shifted once they arrived.
They're everyday Japanese, so they're worth knowing. Just don't expect an English speaker to understand them.
Made in Japan
The English parts are there, but the combination isn't used in English.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
サラリーマン | sarariiman | office worker, company employee ("salary man") |
コンセント | konsento | power socket, outlet (from "concentric plug") |
ガソリンスタンド | gasorin sutando | petrol station, gas station ("gasoline stand") |
シャープペンシル | shaapu penshiru | mechanical pencil ("sharp pencil") |
ベビーカー | bebii kaa | pushchair, stroller ("baby car") |
ペーパードライバー | peepaa doraibaa | someone with a licence who rarely drives ("paper driver") |
マイカー | maikaa | your own private car ("my car") |
スキンシップ | sukinshippu | physical closeness, hugs ("skinship") |
オーダーメイド | oodaa meido | made to order ("order made") |
Same word, different meaning
Real English words whose meaning changed in Japanese.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
マンション | manshon | a block of flats, condominium, not a mansion |
トランプ | toranpu | playing cards (from trump) |
クレーム | kureemu | a complaint, not a claim |
ワンピース | wanpiisu | a dress, not a swimsuit |
How can you spot wasei-eigo?
- The meaning doesn't fit. If a word you think you know makes no sense in the sentence, it may have shifted.
- Two English words that don't go together. "Baby car" and "paper driver" aren't English phrases, so ベビーカー (bebii kaa) and ペーパードライバー (peepaa doraibaa) are made in Japan.
- Check a dictionary. Good Japanese dictionaries mark these words, so a quick look tells you.
Why Are Some Katakana Words So Short?
Long loanwords don't stay long for long. Japanese clips them, and the short form usually takes over. Almost nobody says パーソナルコンピューター (paasonaru konpyuutaa) when パソコン (pasokon) will do.
| Short form | English | Full form |
|---|---|---|
| パソコン (pasokon) | personal computer | パーソナルコンピューター |
| コンビニ (konbini) | convenience store | コンビニエンスストア |
| スマホ (sumaho) | smartphone | スマートフォン |
| エアコン (eakon) | air conditioner | エアコンディショナー |
| リモコン (rimokon) | remote control | リモートコントロール |
| デパート (depaato) | department store | デパートメントストア |
| アニメ (anime) | animation, anime | アニメーション |
| プレゼン (purezen) | presentation | プレゼンテーション |
| ファミレス (famiresu) | family restaurant | ファミリーレストラン |
| マスコミ (masukomi) | the mass media | マスコミュニケーション |
| イラスト (irasuto) | illustration | イラストレーション |
| アイス (aisu) | ice cream | アイスクリーム |
Is there a pattern?
Often, yes. For two-word loanwords, Japanese keeps the first two beats of each word: パソ (paso) from personal and コン (kon) from computer give パソコン (pasokon).
Single long words are usually just cut short: アニメーション (animeeshon) becomes アニメ (anime). Watch for near misses: プレゼン (purezen) is a presentation, but プレゼント (purezento) is a present.
How Do Katakana Flashcards Help With These Words?
You can't spot a tricky word until you can read it. Katakana flashcards get you reading every character quickly, so you can sound out a word and notice when the meaning doesn't fit.
Then build a small list of surprises. Every time a katakana word means something unexpected, note it down and review it like a flashcard.
- Make sure you can read all 46 basic katakana.
- Day 1: the five uses of katakana, with their examples.
- Day 2: the made-in-Japan words.
- Day 3: the clipped words and their full forms.
- Every day: read new loanwords and note any surprises.
Any Tips for Learning These Words?
- Learn the short form first. It's the one you'll hear: スマホ (sumaho), not スマートフォン (sumaatofon).
- Learn wasei-eigo as new words. Don't translate from English. Learn コンセント (konsento) as "socket" from the start.
- Notice the style. When a native word appears in katakana, ask why: emphasis, science, or just a modern look.
What Mistakes Do Learners Make?
- Assuming every katakana word is English. Some are names, sound effects or native words written for emphasis.
- Assuming the English meaning. マンション (manshon) is a flat, not a mansion. クレーム (kureemu) is a complaint.
- Using wasei-eigo in English. Say "socket", not "concent".
- Mixing up clipped words. プレゼン (purezen) and プレゼント (purezento) are different words.
What Should You Learn Next?
- The patterns behind loanwords: English to Katakana.
- Lots of words to read: Katakana Reading Practice.
- What hiragana and katakana each do: Hiragana vs Katakana.
Where Can You Get Free Katakana Flashcards?
The katakana flashcards on JLPTCARDS.com are free for the basic and dakuten sets, with accuracy tracking. The Katakana Words flashcards have hundreds of loanwords to read once the characters are solid.
Practise the Words
Tap a card to flip it.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some Japanese words written in katakana?
Mostly because they're loanwords or foreign names. Katakana is also used for emphasis, some sound effects, plant and animal names in science writing, and a modern look.
What is wasei-eigo?
English made in Japan: katakana words built from English parts, like サラリーマン (sarariiman, office worker), or English words whose meaning changed.
What does マンション (manshon) mean?
A flat or condominium in an apartment building, usually a solid, multi-storey one. It doesn't mean a mansion.
Why does Japanese shorten loanwords?
Long loanwords are hard to say quickly, so they get clipped, often to four beats: パーソナルコンピューター (paasonaru konpyuutaa) becomes パソコン (pasokon).
Should I use wasei-eigo with English speakers?
Best not. Words like コンセント (konsento, power socket) won't make sense in English, so use the English word instead.
How do I learn these words?
Learn the katakana with flashcards first, then read lots of loanwords. Note any word whose meaning surprises you.
Read Between the Katakana
Katakana is mostly loanwords, but not always, and not always the English you'd expect. Learn the characters with katakana flashcards, then keep a list of the words that surprise you.
Open the free katakana flashcards on JLPTCARDS.com and start with a quick round.
References
- Meanings, origins and abbreviations checked against JMdict, via jisho.org. JMdict tags サラリーマン (sarariiman), コンセント (konsento), ガソリンスタンド (gasorin sutando), ベビーカー (bebii kaa) and others here as words made in Japan.