View source for List of English words of Japanese origin

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Words of Japanese origin have entered many languages. Some words are simple [[transliteration]]s of [[Japanese language]] words for concepts inherent to [[Japanese culture]]. The words on this page are an incomplete list of words which are listed in major English dictionaries and whose etymologies include Japanese. The reverse of this list can be found at [[List of gairaigo and wasei-eigo terms]].

== Arts ==
; [[anime]] : アニメ ''{{Audio|Ja-Anime.oga|listen}}'', hand-drawn and computer animation originating from or associated with Japan. 
; [[bokeh]] : (from ぼけ ''boke''), subjective [[aesthetic]] quality of out-of-focus areas of an image projected by a [[camera lens]].
; [[bonsai]] : 盆栽 ''{{Audio|Ja-Bonsai.oga|listen}}'', "tray gardening"; the art of tending miniature [[trees]]. Originated from Chinese 盆栽 penzai
; [[bunraku]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bunraku Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 文楽, a form of traditional Japanese [[puppet]] [[theatre]], performed by puppeteers, chanters, and [[shamisen]] players.
; [[haiku]] : 俳句 ''{{Audio|ja-haiku.ogg|listen}}'', a very short [[poem]] consisting of three lines of 5, 7, and 5 [[mora (linguistics)|morae]] (not [[syllable]]s as commonly thought) each; see also '''tanka''' below.
; [[ikebana]] : 生花, [[flower arranging|flower arrangement]].
; [[imari porcelain|imari]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imari Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 伊万里, Japanese [[porcelain]] wares (made in the town of [[Arita, Saga|Arita]] and exported from the port of [[Imari, Saga|Imari]], particularly around the 17th century).
; [[isekai]] :<ref name=OED2024 /> 異世界, "different world"; a subgenre of [[portal fantasy]] that features a protagonist being transported to or [[reincarnation|reincarnated]] in an alternate world
; [[kabuki]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kabuki Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 歌舞伎, a traditional form of Japanese theatre; also any form of elaborate theatre, especially metaphorically.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_good_word/2010/04/its_time_to_retire_kabuki.html|title=It's time for pundits to stop using the word "kabuki."|journal=Slate |date=14 April 2010 |last1=Lackman |first1=Jon }}</ref>
; [[kaiju]]: 怪獣, Japanese genre of horror and science fiction films featuring giant monsters.
; [[kakemono]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kakemono Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 掛け物, a vertical Japanese [[scroll]], of ink-and-brush [[painting]] or [[calligraphy]], that hangs in a recess on a wall inside a room.
; [[kakiemon]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kakiemon Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 柿右衛門, Japanese porcelain wares featuring [[Vitreous enamel|enamel]] decoration (made in [[Arita, Saga|Arita]], using the style developed in the 17th century by 酒井田 柿右衛門 ''Sakaida Kakiemon'').
; [[karaoke]] : カラオケ ''{{Audio|Ja-Karaoke.oga|listen}}'', (English IPA : {{IPA|[kæriːoʊkiː]}}) "empty orchestra";  entertainment where an amateur singer accompanies recorded music.
; [[kintsugi]] : 金継ぎ, the artisanry of repairing broken [[pottery]] using [[Lacquer#Urushiol-based lacquers|''urushi'' lacquer]] and dusted with powdered [[gold]], [[silver]], or [[platinum]], to emphasise the damage. <small><abbr>lit.</abbr> </small>"golden joinery". Also known as kintsukuroi 金繕い, "golden repair".<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2020 |title=Object Lesson: Kintsugi reflects beauty in flaws, strength in healing |url=https://noma.org/kintsugi-reflects-beauty-in-flaws-strength-in-healing/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=New Orleans Museum of Art}}</ref> Also in extended use: an aesthetic or world view highlighting imperfection and healing as an essential part of human experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Kintsugi |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/kintsugi_n?tl=true |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=Oxford English Dicstionary}}</ref>
; [[kirigami]]: 切り紙, similar to [[origami]], but involves cutting in addition to folding.
; [[koto (musical instrument)|koto]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koto Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 琴, a traditional [[string instruments|stringed musical instrument]] from Japan, resembling a [[zither]] with 13 strings.
; [[Handscroll|makimono]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/makimono Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 巻物, a horizontal Japanese hand scroll, of ink-and-brush painting or calligraphy
; [[manga]] : まんが or 漫画 ''{{Audio|Ja-Manga.oga|listen}}'', (English IPA : {{IPA|[mæŋgɜː]}}) Japanese [[comic]]s; refers to comics in general in Japanese
; [[noh]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noh Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 能 ''nō'', a major form of classical Japanese [[music drama]]
; [[origami]] : 折り紙, artistic paper folding. (British English IPA : {{IPA|[ɒrɪgɑːmiː]}})
; [[otaku]] : オタク or おたく or ヲタク, a geeky enthusiast, especially of [[anime]] and [[manga]].
; [[sakura]]: (桜 or 櫻; さくら or サクラ) is the Japanese term for the Cherry Blossom and can either mean the tree or its flowers (see 桜).
; [[senryū|senryu]] : 川柳, a form of short poetry similar to haiku. It is satiric. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Senryu {{!}} Japanese, Poem, Haiku, & Examples {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/senryu |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
; [[shamisen]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamisen Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 三味線, a three-stringed musical instrument, played with a [[plectrum]].
; [[sumi-e]] : 墨絵, a general term for painting with a brush and black ink.
; [[Tanka (poetry)|tanka]] : 短歌, "short poetry"; an older form of Japanese poetry than haiku, of the form 5-7-5-7-7 [[mora (linguistics)|morae]] (not syllables; see also '''haiku''' above).
;[[tankōbon]] :単行本, "independent/standalone book"; term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series or corpus. In modern Japan, though, it is most often used in reference to individual volumes of a single manga, as opposed to magazines.
; [[tokusatsu]] :<ref name=OED2024>{{Cite web |title=Words from the land of the rising sun: new Japanese borrowings in the OED |url=https://www.oed.com/discover/words-from-the-land-of-the-rising-sun?utm_campaign |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=[[Oxford English Dictionary]]}}</ref> 特撮, "special photography", term for films or television shows that feature an abundant usage of special [[practical effects]]; the term is most commonly associated with Japanese [[science fiction]] and [[Kaiju|giant monster]] franchises
;[[ukiyo-e]] :浮世絵, a type of [[Woodcut|woodblock]] print art or painting. (English IPA : {{IPA|[uːkiːoʊ.iː]}})
;[[waka (poetry)|waka]] :和歌, "Japanese poetry"; a word used primarily to describe tanka (see above) written between the 9th and 19th centuries.
;[[wabi-sabi]] :侘び寂び, a world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

== Business ==
; [[kaikaku]]: 改革, Japanese term for 'radical change', used in contradistinction to [[kaizen]] which is used for continuous improvement.
; [[kaizen]]:<ref>[http://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/kaizen.asp] (Retrieved on October 21, 2013)</ref> 改善, literally "change for the better." In practice, a Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency, etc. Initially made famous by the 1986 book of same name.
; [[kanban]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kanban Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 看板, literally a "signal" or "sign" signals a cycle of replenishment for production and materials and maintains an orderly and efficient flow of materials throughout the entire manufacturing process.
; [[karoshi]] : 過労死, "death by overwork, stress death"
; [[keiretsu]] : 系列, a set of companies with interlocking business relationships and shareholdings.
; [[Poka-yoke]] : ポカヨケ, "mistake-proofing" or "inadvertent error prevention".
; [[tycoon]] : 大君 ("[[taikun]]"), "great prince" or "high commander", later applied to wealthy business leaders. 
; [[zaibatsu]] : 財閥, a "money clique" or conglomerate

== Clothing ==
; [[geta (footwear)|geta]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geta Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 下駄, a pair of Japanese raised wooden clogs worn with traditional Japanese garments, such as the kimono
; [[inro]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inro Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 印籠 ''inrō'', a case for holding small objects, often worn hanging from the obi; (traditional Japanese clothes didn't have pockets)
; [[kimono]]: 着物, a traditional full-length robe-like garment still worn by women, men and children. (English IPA : {{IPA|[kɪmoʊnoʊ]}})
;[[netsuke]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netsuke Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 根付, a [[Button (clothing)|toggle]] used to tie the [[sash]] of a [[kimono]] also to attach small items such as [[inro]] and [[kinchaku]]: sometimes beautifully carved.
; [[obi (sash)|obi]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obi Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 帯, a wide belt that is tied in the back to secure a kimono
; [[yukata]]: 浴衣, a casual or simplified summer style of kimono
; [[zori]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zori Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 草履 ''zōri'', sandals made from rice straw or lacquered wood, worn with a kimono for formal occasions

== Culinary ==
; [[adzuki]],<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adzuki Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> [[azuki bean]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adzuki%20bean Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> あずき or 小豆 ''{{Audio|Ja-Adzuki.oga|listen}}'', type of bean grown in eastern Asia and the Himalayas, used in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines, usually served sweet. Sometimes simply referred to as red bean or red bean paste in English.
; [[arame]] : 荒布, a type of edible seaweed
; [[bento]] : 弁当 ''bentō'', a single-portion takeout meal, box lunch
; [[daikon]] : 大根, a kind of white radish
; [[dashi]] : だし or 出汁, a simple soup stock considered fundamental to Japanese cooking
; [[edamame]] : 枝豆, soybeans boiled whole in the green pod and served with salt
; [[enokitake]], [[enoki mushroom]] : えのきたけ or 榎茸, long, thin white mushrooms, used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines
; [[fugu]] : 河豚 or フグ, the meat of the toxic pufferfish, must be prepared by specially trained chefs by law. Also means pufferfish itself.
; [[ginkgo]] : 銀杏 or ぎんなん ''ginnan'', a gymnospermous tree (''Ginkgo biloba'') of eastern China that is widely grown as an ornamental or shade tree and has fan-shaped leaves and yellow fruit (the word is derived from 17th Century Japanese 銀杏 ''ginkyō'')
; [[gyoza]] : ギョーザ or 餃子 ''gyōza'', Japanese name for Chinese dumplings, '''jiaozi''' (jiǎozi); may also be called '''pot stickers''' in English if they are fried
; [[hibachi]] : 火鉢, a small, portable charcoal grill; used in [[North America]] to refer to a [[Teppanyaki|teppan]] or a small [[shichirin]]-like aluminium or cast iron grill
; [[hijiki]] : ひじき or 鹿尾菜, a type of edible seaweed commonly found on rocky coastlines
;[[Chicken katsu|katsu]]: カツ, Japanese term for [[cutlet]]s in general; in English, typically refers to the dish [[chicken katsu]], a type of breaded chicken cutlet served with rice and sauce.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/chicken-katsu-curry-1919371.html|title=Chicken katsu curry|work=The Independent|access-date=2020-01-23|language=en-GB}}</ref> (English IPA : {{IPA|[kæt.suː]}})
;[[skipjack tuna|katsuo]] :鰹, a skipjack tuna
;[[katsuobushi]] :かつおぶし or 鰹節, dried and smoked [[skipjack tuna]] (''katsuo''), which is shaved and then used in [[dashi]]
;[[aspergillus oryzae|koji]] :麴 or 麹 ''kōji'', a fungus that is the active agent in the fermentation processes, of producing [[miso]] and [[soy sauce]] from soybeans, and of producing [[sake]] and [[shōchū]] from rice.
;[[kombu]] :昆布, dried kelp, which can be eaten or used for [[dashi]]
;[[matsutake]] :松茸, a type of edible mushroom, with a magnificently spicy aroma similar to cinnamon, considered to be a great delicacy and the most coveted mushroom in Japan
;[[mirin]] :味醂, an essential condiment of the Japanese cuisine, a kind of rice wine similar to [[sake]] with a slightly sweet taste
;[[miso]] :味噌, a thick paste made by fermenting soybeans with salt
;[[mizuna]] :水菜, an edible plant, with flavor akin to the mustard plant
;[[mochi]]:餅, sticky rice cake
;[[napa cabbage]] :菜っ葉, Chinese cabbage, (in Japan, it is a generic term for [[leaf vegetable]]s.)
;[[nashi Pear|nashi]] (pear) :梨, a species of pear native to eastern Asia, which are juicy, round and shaped like apples. Often simply referred to as "asian pear(s)".
;[[Eggplant|nasubi]] :なすび, a [[Solanaceae|nightshade vegetable]], popularized by [[Nasubi|the reality TV icon]] 
;[[natto]] :納豆, traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans
;[[nori]] :海苔, food products created from [[green laver]] [[seaweed]] species by a shredding and rack-drying process that resembles papermaking.
;[[okonomiyaki]]: お好み焼き, listen<sup>[[:File:Okonomiyaki, pronunciation.ogg|ⓘ]]</sup> is a Japanese [[teppanyaki]], savory [[pancake]] dish consisting of [[wheat flour]] batter and other ingredients (mixed, or as toppings) cooked on a ''[[Teppanyaki|teppan]]'' (flat griddle).
;[[omakase]]: お任せ, is a phrase used when ordering food in restaurants that means 'I'll leave it up to you'
;[[panko]] :パン粉, Japanese white bread flakes. Panko is made from bread without crusts, thus it has a crisper, airier texture than most types of breading found in Western cuisine.
;[[ramen]] :ラーメン ''rāmen'', the Japanese version of Chinese noodle soup, not limited to the instant variety. (British English IPA : {{IPA|[rɑːmen]}})
;[[sake]] :酒 ''{{Audio|Ja-Sake.oga|listen}}'',nihon-shu(日本酒), an alcoholic beverage, brewed from rice. In Japanese, the word commonly refers to alcoholic drinks in general
;[[sashimi]] :刺身, a Japanese delicacy primarily consisting of the freshest raw seafoods thinly sliced and served with only a dipping sauce and wasabi.
;[[satsuma (fruit)|satsuma]] :(from 薩摩 ''[[Satsuma Province|Satsuma]]'', an [[Provinces of Japan|ancient province of Japan]]), a type of mandarin orange (''mikan'') native to Japan
;[[shabu shabu]] :しゃぶしゃぶ, a meal where each person cooks their own food in their own cooking pot from an assortment of raw ingredients
;[[shiitake]] :しいたけ or 椎茸 ''{{Audio|Ja-Shiitake.oga|listen}}'', an edible mushroom typically cultivated on the shii tree
;[[soy sauce#Japanese|shoyu]] :醬油 or 醤油''shōyu'', Japanese soy sauce
;[[soba]] :蕎麦 or ソバ, thin brown buckwheat noodles
;[[soy]] :from [[shoyu]] 醤油
;[[sukiyaki]] :すき焼き or スキヤキ, a dish in the nabemono-style (one-pot), consisting of thinly sliced beef, tofu, konnyaku noodles, ''negi'', Chinese cabbage (bok choy), and enoki mushrooms among others
;[[surimi]] :すり身 or 擂り身, processed meat made from cheaper white-fleshed fish, to imitate the look of a more expensive meat such as crab legs. In Japan surimi is the term for processed fish paste itself, that was traditionally ground in a suribachi mortar.
;[[sushi]] :鮨 or 鮓 or 寿司, a dish consisting of vinegared rice combined with other ingredients such as raw fish, raw or cooked shellfish, or vegetables
;[[takoyaki]]:たこ焼, たこ焼き, or 章魚焼き, literally fried or baked octopus
;[[taiyaki]]: 鯛焼き, a Japanese fish-shaped cake, commonly filled with red bean paste that is made from sweetened adzuki beans
;[[Soy sauce|tamari]] :溜まり or たまり, liquid obtained by pressing soybeans
;[[tempura]] :てんぷら or 天麩羅, classic Japanese deep fried batter-dipped seafood and vegetables. The word may be from Portuguese ''tempêro''/seasoning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/198986|title=Home : Oxford English Dictionary}}</ref>
;[[teppanyaki]] :鉄板焼き, a type of Japanese cuisine that uses a hot iron griddle (''teppan'') to cook food
;[[teriyaki]] :照り焼き , translating as 'shiny grill'. a cooking technique where fish or meat is being broiled/grilled with a sweet soy sauce and mirin marinade. The mirin will give the protein a luster, shine.
;[[tofu]] :豆腐 ''tōfu'' ''{{Audio|Ja-Tofu.oga|listen}}'' bean curd. Although the word is originally Chinese, it entered English via Japanese.
;[[aralia cordata|udo]] :ウド or 独活, an edible plant found on the slopes of wooded embankments, also known as the Japanese Spikenard
;[[udon]] :うどん or 饂飩, a type of thick wheat-based noodle
;[[umami]] :旨味 or うま味,  the taste sensation produced by some condiments such as [[monosodium glutamate]]; a basic flavor in sea weed (昆布 [[kombu]])
;[[umeboshi]] :梅干, pickled [[ume]]
;[[wakame]] :ワカメ or 若布, a type of edible kelp, often used in miso soup (Japan), and salads
;[[wasabi]] :わさび or 山葵, a strongly flavoured green condiment also known as [[Japanese horseradish]]
;[[yakitori]] :焼き鳥 or 焼鳥, a type of chicken kebab.

== Government and politics ==
; [[daimyō]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daimyo Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 大名 ''daimyō'', "great names"; the most powerful Japanese feudal rulers from the 12th century to the 19th century
; [[Genrō|genro]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genro Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 元老 ''genrō'', retired elder Japanese statesmen, who served as informal advisors to the emperor, during the Meiji and Taisho eras
; [[Emperor of Japan|mikado]]:<ref name="Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary">[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mikado Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 帝, a dated term for "emperor"; specifically for the Emperor of Japan
; [[rōnin]]:<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ronin Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on October 26, 2023)</ref> 浪人, a samurai without a lord or master
; [[seppuku]]: 切腹, lit. 'cutting [the] belly', also called [[harakiri]] (腹切り, lit. 'abdomen/belly cutting', a native Japanese kun reading), is a form of Japanese ritualistic suicide by disembowelment. It was originally reserved for samurai to die within their code of honour, with their honour relating to themselves or their families. It was occasionally used capital punishment for serious offences or shameful activity.
; [[shogun]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shogun Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 将軍 ''shōgun'' ''{{Audio|Ja-Shogun.oga|listen}}'', the title of the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the [[Meiji Era]]
; [[Emperor of Japan|tenno]]:<ref name="Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary"/> 天皇, a term for the [[Emperor of Japan]]

== Martial arts ==

; [[aikido]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aikido Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)</ref> 合気道 ''aikidō''
; [[dojo]]: 道場 ''dōjō''
; [[judo]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judo Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)</ref> 柔道 ''jūdō'', refers to the Olympic sport.
; [[jujutsu]]:<ref name="merriam-webster.com">[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jujutsu Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)</ref> 柔術 ''jūjutsu'', alternately spelt, through mutation, as ''jiu-jitsu'' in English.
; [[karate]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karate Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)</ref> 空手 a fighting style which includes the use of hands and feet to strike the opponent, without any weapon, and is also a popular international sports event. Literally means "empty handed".
; [[kendo]]:<ref name="merriam-webster.com"/> 剣道 ''kendō''
; [[sumo]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumo Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on March 19, 2010)</ref> 相撲 ''sumō''

== Religion ==
; [[Bhikkhu|bonze]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonze Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> (from 凡僧 ''bonsō''), a Buddhist monk
; [[koan]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koan Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 公案 ''kōan'', a paradoxical story or statement used during meditation in [[Zen]] Buddhism. Inspired the [[hacker koan]] tradition among computing circles.
; [[matsuri]]:祭, is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday.
; [[satori]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satori Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 悟り, enlightenment in [[Zen]] Buddhism
; [[shinto]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shinto Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 神道 ''shintō'', the native religion of Japan
; [[torii]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torii Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 16, 2009)</ref> 鳥居, traditional Japanese gates commonly found at the gateway to Shinto shrines
; [[zen]] : 禅, from Chinese 禪 (Mandarin Chán), originally from ध्यान Sanskrit [[Dhyāna in Buddhism|Dhyāna]] / Pali झान [[Jhāna]], a branch of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

== Other ==

;[[ahegao]]
:アヘ顔, a facial expression in pornographic animation and manga usually depicted when someone is having an orgasm
;[[Akita Inu|akita]] 
:秋田 (from 秋田犬, akitainu or akitaken), the Akita Inu, a large breed of Japanese dog
;[[Baka (Japanese word)|baka]]
:(馬鹿, ばか in hiragana, or バカ in katakana) means "fool", "silly", "stupid", or "foolish" and is the most frequently used pejorative term in the Japanese language.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
;[[bukkake]] :ぶっかけ, a sex act portrayed in pornographic films, in which several men ejaculate on a woman, or another man. Note that in Japanese it has a broader meaning of "to pour" or "to splash".
;[[domoic acid]] :(from ドウモイ ''doumoi'' in the [[Tokunoshima]] dialect of Japanese: a type of [[red algae]])
;[[emoji]] :絵文字,  ideograms used in electronic messages and webpages.
;[[futon]] :(from 布団, a flat mattress with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton, wool, or synthetic batting that makes up a Japanese bed.)
;[[gaijin]] :外人, lit. outsider/alien is a Japanese word for foreigners and non-Japanese. The word is typically used to refer to foreigners of non-Asian ethnicities.
;[[geisha]] :芸者, traditional Japanese artist-entertainers
;[[hanahaki disease]] :花吐き病 lit. "flower vomiting disease" is a fictional disease originating as a trope in manga.
;[[hanami]] :花見, lit. "flower viewing" is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers; flowers (花, ''hana'') in this case almost always refer to those of the [[Cherry blossom|cherry]] (桜, ''sakura'') or, less frequently, [[Prunus mume|plum]] (梅, ''ume'') trees.
;[[hentai]] :変態 ''{{Audio|Ja-Hentai.oga|listen}}'', Western usage: pornographic Anime, usually either Japanese in origin or drawn in a Japanese style; Japanese usage: metamorphosis, transformation, abnormality, or perversion
;[[hikikomori]] :ひきこもり or 引き籠もり, a psychological condition where the affected individual lives an extremely socially isolated lifestyle by preference, not by default (compare [[NEET]])
{{Wiktionary|hancho|honcho}}
; honcho:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honcho Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on April 30, 2009)</ref> 班長 ''hanchō'', head, chief
;[[ikigai]] :生き甲斐, <abbr>lit.</abbr> 'a reason for being'
;
; [[kamikaze]]:<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kamikaze Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on October 7, 2011)</ref> 神風, the literal meaning is "divine wind"; used to refer to a Japanese soldier in World War II who crashed an airplane into a target, committing suicide; also refers to the airplane used in the suicide crash. Can also refer to someone committing a reckless or potentially self-destructive action.
; [[katana]] : (from かたな literally ''sword'') A Japanese sword that has been forged using traditional Japanese methods. This is referred to as 日本刀 (nihontō) in Japanese.
; [[katsura (tree)]] : 桂, large deciduous trees, native to eastern Asia
; [[kawaii]] : 可愛い, cute and/or lovely. (English IPA ː {{IPA|[kəwaɪ]}})
; [[koi]] : 鯉, Western usage: ornamental varieties of the common carp (but in Japan this just means "carp" – the ornamental variety are called "nishikigoi" 錦鯉)
; [[kokoro (disambiguation)|kokoro]] : こころ, affectionate heart in the context of "spirit", "resolve", "courage", "sentiment", or "the heart of things"
; [[kudzu]] : (from 葛 or クズ ''kuzu'') A climbing vine found as an [[invasive species]] in the south-eastern US, which is native to [[Japan]] and south-eastern [[China]]
; '''moxa''' : もぐさ or 艾 ''mogusa'', [[mugwort]] or [[cotton wool]] or other combustible material, burned on skin during [[moxibustion]]
; [[moxibustion]] : (from ''moxa + (com)bustion''), an oriental medicine therapy which involves the burning of '''moxa''' (see above)
; [[ninja]] : Japanese covert agent of the feudal era
; [[Puff-puff (onomatopoeia)|puff-puff]] : ぱふぱふ ''pafupafu'', an onomatopoeic neologism coined by [[Akira Toriyama]] to convey a woman's breasts being rubbed in someone's face
; [[Pulled rickshaw|rickshaw]] : (from 人力車 ''jinrikisha/ninryokusha''), a human-pulled wagon
; '''sayonara''' : 左様なら or さようなら ''sayōnara'' the Japanese term for "goodbye"
; [[samurai]] : 侍 or 士, Japanese knight
; [[sensei]] : 先生, the Japanese term for "master", "teacher" or "doctor". It can be used to refer to any authority figure, such as a schoolteacher, professor, priest, or politician.
; [[senpai]] : 先輩, the Japanese term for "upperclassman" or "senior".
; [[shiatsu]] : 指圧, a form of massage
; [[shiba inu]] : 柴犬, the smallest of the six original and distinct Japanese breeds of dog
; [[ninja|shinobi]] : 忍び, literally "one who sneaks".
; [[shinro]]: しんろ, a logic puzzle related to sudoku
; '''skosh''':<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skosh Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] (Retrieved on July 21, 2009)</ref> A small amount, from 少し or すこし ''sukoshi'', meaning "a bit" or "a few"
; [[sudoku]] :  数独 ''sūdoku'' ''{{Audio|Sudoku.ogg|listen}}'', a number placement [[puzzle]], also known as '''Number Place''' in the [[United States]].
; [[Japanese raccoon dog|tanuki]] : 狸, the Japanese name for the animal, ''Nyctereutes procyonoides'', known as a [[Japanese raccoon dog]] in English
; [[tsunami]] : 津波, literally "harbor wave"; Large wave caused by earthquakes or other underwater disturbances. (English IPA ː {{IPA|[(t)suːnɑːmiː]}})
; [[parental child abduction|tsuresari]] :連れ去り, abducting or kidnapping a child by the parent while defying the rights of the other parent.
; [[urushiol]] : (from 漆 or うるし ''urushi'', a plant that gives a skin rash on contact) a chemical substance found in [[Poison-ivy (plant)|poison-ivy]], used to make lacquer-ware
; [[-zilla]] : (from ゴジラ [[Godzilla]], a fictional creature from Japanese film) a suffix denoting large size or monster-like qualities

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== See also ==
{{Wiktionary category|type=with [[Japanese language]] origins|category=Japanese derivations}}
* [[Glossary of anime and manga]]
* [[Japanese words of English origin]]
* [[Cuisine of Japan]]
** [[:Category:Japanese food preparation utensils]]
*[[Etiquette in Japan]]
*[[Japanese honorifics]]
*[[Aizuchi]]
*[[Japanese pronouns]]

{{English words of foreign origin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of English Words Of Japanese Origin}}
[[Category:Japanese vocabulary|English]]
[[Category:Lists of English words of foreign origin|Japanese]]