List of Japanese terms mistaken for gairaigo
This is a selected list of Japanese words that Appear to be foreign borrowings (known as gairaigo in Japanese), but are in fact words with Japanese origins. This confusion can stem from a number of causes. Katakana are typically reserved for words of foreign origin, but are sometimes used for Japanese words of modern or irregular formation. In addition, some Japanese words bear coincidental similarities to words in other languages (known as false cognates).
Examples
Japanese |
Romaji |
Meaning |
Etymology |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
有り難う |
arigatō |
thank you |
combination of aru ("to be" or "to exist") combined with the verb ending gatai (implying the difficulty of performing the preceding verb), modified to gatō |
Similar, but absolutely no relationship, to the Portuguese word "Obrigado" (Thank you) |
ばば （婆） or ばばあ |
baba or babā |
old woman (the latter having a derogatory sense) |
regular Japanese word |
similar to the term baba (meaning "grandmother") in Russian |
チャック |
chakku |
a zipper, a zip-fastener (UK) |
巾着 (kinchaku) (meaning 'a purse' or 'a money pouch') |
|
餓狼 (がろう) |
garō |
hungry wolf |
餓 (kiga - hungry) + 狼 (rō - wolf) |
similar to a French word that means "werewolf" |
ネタ |
neta |
Information, evidence |
reversal of the Japanese tane, meaning seed, cause, origin |
See also
- List of gairaigo and wasei-eigo terms
- Japanese abbreviated and contracted words
- Japanese words of Portuguese origin
- Japanese words of Dutch origin
- False cognate
References
- Takashi Ichikawa, et al (1998). , Tokyo, Japan: Sanseido Co., Ltd. ISBN 4-385-14034-0.