English has borrowed dozens of words from Japanese, often without anyone noticing. Some have been in the dictionary for generations, like tsunami or judo, while others still belong to a specific cultural world: food, martial arts, or pop culture. A few, like tycoon or emoji, have blended in so completely that most speakers have no idea they came from Japanese at all. This list covers around 90 Japanese words used in English, grouped by theme.
This list gathers the Japanese words most often encountered in English, whether they’re fully naturalized or still felt as cultural borrowings. To move beyond isolated vocabulary and into Japanese grammar, a full Japanese course can help structure these building blocks into a coherent progression.
Japanese food and drink
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sushi | Vinegared rice paired with raw fish or other toppings |
| Sashimi | Thin slices of raw fish, served without rice |
| Ramen | Noodles served in broth, originally Chinese but adopted and reshaped in Japan |
| Udon | Thick wheat noodles, served hot or cold |
| Soba | Buckwheat noodles, served hot or cold |
| Miso | Fermented soybean paste, best known from the soup of the same name |
| Tempura | Battered and fried vegetables or seafood, originally Portuguese but adopted in Japan |
| Wasabi | Sharp green condiment related to horseradish |
| Edamame | Young soybeans still in the pod, often served as a starter |
| Matcha | Powdered green tea used in the tea ceremony and in desserts |
| Mochi | Cake made from pounded glutinous rice |
| Umami | The fifth basic taste, corresponding to a savory flavor |
| Dashi | Base broth, usually made from dried fish and kelp |
| Wagashi | Traditional Japanese confectionery, often bite-sized |
| Onigiri | Triangular rice ball, sometimes with a filling |
| Bento | Individual, compartmentalized meal box |
| Sake | Fermented rice wine |
| Teriyaki | Sweet-savory soy-based sauce used to glaze meat and fish |
| Takoyaki | Octopus-filled dumplings, an Osaka specialty |
| Okonomiyaki | Savory cabbage-based pancake, a specialty of Osaka and Hiroshima |
| Karaage | Marinated, deep-fried chicken |
| Tonkatsu | Breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet |
| Dorayaki | Pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste |
| Nori | Dried seaweed sheets used to wrap maki rolls |
| Daikon | Large white radish used in Japanese cooking |
| Natto | Fermented soybeans with a sticky texture and pungent flavor |
| Yakitori | Grilled, marinated skewers of chicken |
| Genmaicha | Green tea blended with roasted rice grains |
| Soy | From Japanese shoyu, brought into English by Dutch traders in Nagasaki; the word later spread to name the bean itself |
Martial arts
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Judo | Martial art built on unbalancing or pinning an opponent, literally “the gentle way” |
| Karate | Bare-handed martial art, literally “empty hand” |
| Aikido | Martial art that uses an opponent’s own force to neutralize them |
| Kendo | Martial art fought with a bamboo sword, “the way of the sword” |
| Kyudo | The martial art of archery, “the way of the bow” |
| Jujitsu | Bare-handed martial art, the forerunner of judo |
| Sumo | Japanese wrestling between heavyset competitors |
| Bushido | The warrior’s code of honor |
| Dojo | A place where martial arts are practiced |
| Dan | A rank or grade level in the martial arts |
Pop culture and entertainment
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Manga | Japanese comics, usually printed in black and white |
| Mangaka | A person who creates manga |
| Anime | Japanese animated series or film, often adapted from a manga |
| Otaku | Someone deeply devoted to manga, anime, or Japanese pop culture |
| Cosplay | Dressing up as a fictional character |
| Kawaii | Cute, adorable — an aesthetic that runs through Japanese pop culture |
| Chibi | A miniature, stylized depiction of a character |
| Senpai | A more senior or experienced member of a group |
| Karaoke | Singing along to an instrumental track with the lyrics displayed on screen |
| Isekai | A manga or anime genre where the main character is transported into another world |
| Tsundoku | The habit of piling up books without reading them |
| Sudoku | Number-placement puzzle whose name comes from Japanese “the digits must remain single” |
Traditional clothing and objects
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kimono | Traditional Japanese garment made from a single length of fabric |
| Yukata | Lightweight cotton kimono worn in summer or after a bath |
| Obi | The wide sash worn with a kimono |
| Geta | Traditional wooden sandals |
| Tabi | Japanese socks split between the big toe and the other toes |
| Hakama | Wide, pleated trousers, often worn in martial arts |
| Futon | Japanese mattress laid on the floor and folded away during the day |
| Tatami | Woven rice-straw mat that covers traditional Japanese floors |
| Origami | The art of paper folding |
| Furoshiki | Square cloth used to wrap and carry objects |
| Hanko | Personal stamp used in place of a signature |
| Rickshaw | Two-wheeled passenger cart, shortened from jinrikisha, “human-powered vehicle” |
Spirituality and nature
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zen | Branch of Japanese Buddhism associated with meditation and calm |
| Shinto | Japan’s polytheistic religion, close to animism |
| Kami | A deity or spirit in the Shinto religion |
| Torii | Wooden gate marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine |
| Ema | Small wooden plaque on which visitors write a wish |
| Omikuji | Random paper fortune drawn at a temple or shrine |
| Ikebana | Traditional Japanese art of flower arranging |
| Bonsai | The art of growing a miniature tree in a pot |
| Sakura | Cherry blossom, Japan’s springtime emblem |
| Hanami | The custom of viewing cherry blossoms in bloom |
| Koi | Ornamental Japanese carp, often kept in ponds |
| Onsen | Japanese hot spring bath, indoor or outdoor |
| Matsuri | Traditional Japanese festival, with music, dancing, and street stalls |
Society, figures, and everyday life
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tsunami | A series of large waves triggered by an earthquake or undersea seismic activity |
| Typhoon | Tropical cyclone, from Japanese taifu |
| Kamikaze | Pilot on a suicide mission, literally “divine wind” |
| Samurai | Japanese warrior in the service of a feudal lord |
| Ninja | Covert agent or fighter of feudal Japan |
| Shogun | Military commander who once held real power in Japan |
| Geisha | Japanese entertainer trained in music, dance, and conversation |
| Yakuza | Member of a Japanese organized crime syndicate |
| Sensei | Teacher or master, also used for doctors or experts |
| Konbini | 24-hour convenience store, a fixture of daily life in Japan |
| Salaryman | Japanese office worker, often associated with long hours |
| Hikikomori | Someone who withdraws from social life for an extended period |
| Ikigai | One’s reason for being, what gives daily life meaning |
| Tycoon | Powerful business leader, from taikun, “great lord” — the word used for the shogun before it was applied to American business magnates |
| Honcho | Person in charge, from hancho, “squad leader,” picked up by American soldiers after WWII |
| Emoji | Small digital picture used to convey emotion or meaning, from e “picture” and moji “character” |
| Skosh | A small amount, from sukoshi, “a little bit” |
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