Japanese Only Part 1 - Words your missing out on

Anyone who has never gotten too deep into a foreign language probably can't imagine how many concepts that you think can't be put into words actually can. The words we grow up with kind of keep us thinking about certain things. For example, there are more ways to express uncertainty in Japanese and so its much easier to be vauge. You can essentially speak for 10 minutes without saying anything concrete; sprinkling everything with "I wonder"'s and "maybe"'s and "probably"'s without sounding ridiculous. Remember how confusing it was in middle school when someone said they liked you? Do you like me or do you like me like me? Japanese has 2 words for love but both are extremely dramatic so to say 'I love you' most Japanese will say 'I like you'. These are small things. The entire grammatical structure of Japanese is based upon 2 or 3 levels of politeness, not to mention ways to conjugate verbs to say things we don't say in English. These differences are endless. After studying Japanese for a while, you start to forget which of these concepts are missing from your own language and sometimes you alienate the person you are talking to. I'm going to try to avoid doing that and also avoid silly explanations EVERYWHERE by just making a simple glossary. In case you are interested I will give a more in-depth explanation of some of the more iteresting topics here. (These concepts usually aren't unique to Japan but are either more common or just easier to express in Japanese)

OK. So. Japanese words you cant translate to English. Part 1

Izakaya- A Japanese style bar. There are many kinds but the main difference from western bars is that food is usually as important as drinks. There are often small dishes you can compare to tapas, ranging from french fries to monkfish liver (mmm) depending on the izakaya. There are many local ones that are full of men over 50 and many in the city are full of young people doing all-you-can-drink for an hour or two.

Enka-often called 'the blues of japan' but socially more similar to country music. Old people like it, kids don't and think its cheesy as hell. A combination of western jazz and big band music with traditional Japanese singing style. Ballads; usually sad. You hear it at least every other day in Japan.

Hikkikomori- a person who refuses to leave their room and/or see anyone. Usually they live with their parents who are too afraid of driving them to suicide to force them out of their room.

Ryokan- A traditional Japanese Inn]

Manga Kissa - Internet cafes/Japanese comic book (manga) library. If you want to have culture shock, this is your best chance. Imagine an internet cafe. Now imagine each computer has its own private booth where no one can see you. Imagine room service to the booths, overnight packages for about $12 and no limit to how long you can stay. Many runaway kids stay here. Really useful if you missed the last train and want to sleep a few hours before the first one comes.



Ofuro - A japanese bath. VERY DIFFERENT. You enter this AFTER a shower. NO SOAP. NO SHAMPOO. And usually they have devices that keep them warm.

Onsen- Hot Springs. I guess I could just say hot springs but I don't want to.

Expressions- (for all those interested. most of these words can be translated but they sound much more akward in english)

Shou ga nai/shikata ga nai - Litterally it means 'it can't be helped' but its used way more frequently.

Ganbatte - means 'do your best' but half of the time I like to translate it as 'deal with it'. You will hear this EVERYWHERE in Japan.

KY- Very common slang word that could be translated as oblivious but its alot broader than that. It stands for Kuuki wo Yomenai, or Can't read the air. I often use it to mean clueless about a certain topic, rather than clueless at an instant or clueless in general.

Gaijin - Means foreigner. Its not politically correct because it kind of just means outsider but everyone still uses it. Most foreigners in Japan either begin to detest the word or grow attached to it because it makes them unique.


Ill add to the list as they come up.