"Gaijins'" First Words

For whatever reasons, these are some of the words foreigners in Japan tend to learn/use soon after arriving.

1. gaijin
2. gomi
3. gokiburi
4. sumimasen
5. eki
6. genki

And on a much deeper level, a link to why the use of the term "gaijin" can become annoying and even racist: http://www.debito.org/kumegaijinissue.html

Bad Auto-translations as Poetry

Sentences from a J>E auto-translation of Amazon Japan customer reviews of CD de Oboeru Yasashii Nichijo Eikaiwa or "Experience in everyday conversation-friendly CD" by Beth Myers-Yamamuro and Mariko Tsuji.


Pronunciation in the Desert

Because what good books were always at home
English soon after the Japanese
Native will play faster
(If you say like this!) That is
I go in that.

Intonation and rhythm can unconsciously under stencil
This way you me! That hopes to play in my head and looking forward
Yet time and again, I'll keep listening about 100 times.

By the way how good the book,
I just do not shake the pronunciation in the desert.

What they have to detail and focus on its many enjoyable episode. Mean, the sequel to this author! Onegai means the publisher is.
Vigilant to the great detail, as I reach the itch, but I thought to make a polite and text.

What is a beginner's book of this kind, I believe in excellence unsurpassed.

English Used in a Funny Way in Japanese ON PURPOSE

1. Barcode - slang for a bald man's comb-over.
2.

Things Japanese People Do That Americans Are Taught Not To

1. Slurp drinks and soups
2. Crack joints (knuckles, neck, etc.)
3. Talk while chewing

Things Americans Do That Japanese People Are Taught Not To

1. Wear shoes in the house
2. Sit on desks and tables
3. Put hands in pockets in front of elders/authority figures
4. Cross arms in front of elders/authority figures
5. Cross legs or feet with shoe soles pointed toward others
6.
7.

No Direct Translation Daily Life Japanese Words

1. genki
2. yoroshiku
3. irasshaimase
4. mendokusai
5. gaman

Japanese Power Words

Doumo can mean
Hi.
Hello.
Good to see you again.
Thanks.
Thank you so much.
I'm so embarrassed.

Chotto can mean
A little.
Just a minute.
Kind of.
Don't ask me any more.
None of your business.
I'm so mad.
I'd really rather not.
What are you thinking???

1J:2E One Japanese Word for Two (or more) English Words

1. kaze < 1. cold, 2. flu
2. tokei < 1. watch, 2. clock
3. kaeru < 1. frog, 2. toad
4. wani < 1. crocodile, 2. alligator
5. umi < 1. ocean, 2. beach
6. toge < 1. thorn, 2. splinter, 3. sliver

One English Word for Two Japanese

1. rice < o-kome (uncooked), gohan (cooked)
2. water < o-hiya (cold water to drink), mizu (water in general), oyu (hot water)

Wakamono Kotoba / "Young Words"

1. kokuru - v. to tell someone you like them (abbreviated from kokuhaku suru)
2. omu-tomo - n., lit. "diaper friends", or friends since babyhood
3. hamoru - v. to harmonize
4. memoru - v. to make a note
5. daburu - v. to "double", to duplicate
6. maikemi - the band My Chemical Romance
7. recchiri - the band Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. buresuto - brainstorming