Japanese Words Used In English (Borrowed Words)

Japanese words used in English!

Not everyone word used in English is original! In fact, much of our language is borrowed from other parts of the world! Check out these borrowed terms!

Tsunami

Strong and dangerous waves caused by earthquakes

“The 2004 tsunami off the coast of Indonesia caused massive damage and loss of life”

Sushi (and other food!)

Many words of Japanese food are the same in English and Japanese. BUT, make sure you check the pronunciation – for example, English speakers almost never pronounce the Japanese dumplings “gyoza” the same way as Japanese people do.

“This supermarket sells meals like sushi, ramen, and katsu curry!”

Karaoke

A hobby or activity involving singing. In Japan it is often done in small rooms with only your friends, while in the West it is common to do karaoke as part of a much larger group.

“I’m a terrible singer, but I love karaoke”

Rickshaw

A small vehicle pulled by a person – you will sometimes see them around the streets of major cities (they are very expensive in London)! This word comes from the Japanese “jinrikisha”

“Shall we use bus, taxi, or rickshaw to travel home?”

Can you think of any other foreign words used in English?

Check out my PODCAST!!

240. Who Discovered the Americas? (English Vocabulary Lesson) – Thinking in English

Listen to Simple English News Daily – https://www.send7.org/ Check out the latest episode of Simple English News Daily – https://open.spotify.com/show/4QctJjCUuHefLzeZWDoXqc?si=d381def2ae9a4cb8 Who discovered the Americas? Let’s discuss the history of exploration and migration in the Americas, from the arrival of the first settlers, to the voyages of the Vikings and Polynesians, to the landing of the Europeans! TRANSCRIPT – https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/06/07/240-who-discovered-the-americas/ My Links ⁠JOIN THE CONVERSATION CLUB — https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish ⁠ ⁠Support the Podcast – https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠ ENGLISH CLASSES – https://thinkinginenglish.link/ ⁠Buy Me a Coffee – https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! – https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM – thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog – thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary Continent (n) – one of the seven large land masses on the earth's surface, surrounded, or mainly surrounded, by sea and usually consisting of various countries. Voyage (n) – a long journey, especially by ship. To explore (also exploration/explorer) (v) – to search a place and discover things about it. To navigate (navigation/navigator) (v) – to direct the way that a ship, aircraft, etc. will travel, or to find a direction across, along, or over an area of water or land. Subsequent (adj) – happening after something else. Seafaring (adj) – connected with travelling by sea. Norse (adj) – belonging or relating to the people who lived in Scandinavia in the past, especially the Vikings. To settle (settlement/settler) (v) – to arrive, especially from another country, in a new place and start to live there and use the land. — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support