20 Japanese-English False Friends You Need to Know

When learning Japanese, English speakers often encounter “false friends.” These are words that look or sound familiar but carry different meanings. Many of these come from English and are written in katakana, the script used for foreign loanwords. To brush up on katakana, check out this helpful katakana chart. While these words might seem familiar, their meanings can shift in surprising ways and they can easily lead to funny or awkward situations if misunderstood!

Let’s dive into some common Japanese-English false friends that you should watch out for!

Japanese meaning: An apartment or condominium
English meaning: A large, luxurious house

In Japan, if you live in a “mansion,” you’re actually living in an apartment, not a huge, luxurious estate.

e.g. 私たちは新しいマンションに引っ越しました。

(We moved into a new apartment.)

2. バイキング (Viking)

Japanese meaning: A buffet
English meaning: Scandinavian pirates

In Japan, “Viking” refers to a buffet, because of the idea of variety and plenty. But if you invite someone to a Viking in English, they might expect pirates!

e.g. 今日は友達とホテルのバイキングに行きました。

(Today I went to the buffet at the hotel with friends.)

3. スマート (Smart)

Japanese meaning: Slim, stylish
English meaning: Intelligent

In Japanese, calling someone “smart” means they’re well-dressed and slender, not necessarily brainy.

e.g. あの俳優はとてもスマートでかっこいい。

(That actor is so slim and stylish.)

4. コンセント (Consent)

Japanese meaning: Electrical outlet
English meaning: Permission

In Japan, when someone mentions a “consent,” they’re referring to an electrical socket, not asking for permission.

e.g. 充電するためにコンセントを探しています。

(I’m looking for an electrical outlet to charge my phone.)

5. カンニング (Cunning)

Japanese meaning: Cheating on a test
English meaning: Deceptively clever

In Japanese, “cunning” specifically refers to cheating, especially on exams. In English, it’s more about being sneakily clever.

e.g. テストでカンニングは絶対にダメだよ。

(Cheating on tests is absolutely not allowed.)

6. サラリーマン (Salaryman)

Japanese meaning: A male office worker
English meaning: Not a commonly used word

In Japan, “salaryman” refers to a male office worker, while in English we would just say “office worker” or “businessman.”

e.g. 父はサラリーマンとして30年間働いています。

(My father has worked as an office worker for 30 years.)

7. ベビーカー (Baby car)

Japanese meaning: A stroller
English meaning: A car for babies?

“Baby car” in Japan is a stroller. Asking for one in English might leave people confused about whether you’re talking about an actual vehicle for babies!

e.g. 公園に行くときはベビーカーを持っていきます。

(I take the stroller when I go to the park.)

8. テンション (Tension)

Japanese meaning: Excitement, energy
English meaning: Stress, anxiety

When Japanese people say their “tension” is high, they mean they’re excited or pumped. In English, it would mean you’re stressed out.

e.g. みんなのテンションがすごく高いね！

(Everyone’s energy is so high!)

9. ハンドル (Handle)

Japanese meaning: Steering wheel
English meaning: A part of something you hold

In Japanese, “handle” refers specifically to a car’s steering wheel, while in English, a handle could be part of a door, a mug, or even a suitcase.

e.g. 車のハンドルを握って、しっかり運転してください。

(Grab the steering wheel and drive carefully.)

10. サービス (Service)

Japanese meaning: Free or extra service
English meaning: Assistance or work provided

In Japan, when you get something for free at a restaurant, it’s called “service.” In English, it refers to the help or assistance someone provides.

e.g. このレストランでは、デザートがサービスでついてきます。

(At this restaurant, you get a free dessert as part of the service.)

11. ドクターストップ (Doctor stop)

Japanese meaning: A doctor’s order to stop a patient from doing something
English meaning: Not used in English

In Japan, “doctor stop” is used when a doctor advises a patient to refrain from certain activities, but this phrase doesn’t exist in English.

e.g. 医者にドクターストップをかけられたので、運動を控えます。

(The doctor ordered me to stop exercising, so I will refrain from it.)

12. クレーム (Claim)

Japanese meaning: Complaint
English meaning: A demand for something

If you “claim” in Japan, it means you’re filing a complaint, but in English, it’s more about asserting or demanding something.

e.g. この商品にクレームを出したいです。

(I want to file a complaint about this product.)

13. バイク (Bike)

Japanese meaning: A motorcycle
English meaning: A bicycle

In Japan, “bike” refers to a motorcycle, whereas in English, it almost always means a bicycle. If you’re talking about a motorcycle in English, be specific!

e.g. バイクで旅行するのが好きです。

(I like traveling by motorcycle.)

14. ホーム (Home)

Japanese meaning: Train platform
English meaning: A place where you live

“Home” in Japan means the platform at a train station, while in English, it’s where you live.

e.g. 電車のホームで待っています。

(I’m waiting on the train platform.)

15. ピンチ (Pinch)

Japanese meaning: A difficult situation
English meaning: To squeeze with fingers

In Japanese, “pinch” means you’re in trouble or a difficult situation, but in English, it just means to squeeze something between your fingers.

e.g. 今はちょっとピンチな状況です。

(I’m in a bit of a tough situation right now.)

16. ペーパードライバー (Paper driver)

Japanese meaning: Someone who has a driver’s license but doesn’t drive
English meaning: Not a term used in English

A “paper driver” in Japan is someone with a license who rarely drives. In English, there’s no direct equivalent.

e.g. 免許はあるけど、私はペーパードライバーです。

(I have a license, but I rarely drive.)

17. アメリカンドッグ (American dog)

Japanese meaning: A corn dog
English meaning:  A dog from America (?)

In Japan, an “American dog” is what we call a corn dog. Asking for an “American dog” in English might confuse people!

e.g. 屋台でアメリカンドッグを買いました。

(I bought a corn dog from a food stand.)

18. ガソリンスタンド (Gasoline stand)

Japanese meaning: Gas station
English meaning: Not a phrase in English

“Gasoline stand” is the Japanese term for what English speakers call a gas station.

e.g. ガソリンスタンドでガソリンを補充しました。

(I refueled at the gas station.)

19. ハイタッチ (High touch)

Japanese meaning: A high five
English meaning: Human interactions

In Japanese, “high touch” is what we call a “high five” in English!

e.g. 試合に勝ったらみんなでハイタッチしよう！

(Let’s give each other high fives when we win the game!)

20. ビニール (Vinyl)

Japanese meaning: Plastic
English meaning: A type of synthetic material used for records or clothing

In Japan, “vinyl” refers to any plastic material, but in English, it’s specifically used for vinyl records or certain fabrics.

e.g. 買い物したら、ビニール袋をもらいました。

(I got a plastic bag after shopping.)

These false friends can lead to some amusing (and sometimes confusing) situations, but learning them is all part of mastering Japanese. Have any of these surprised you? Share your thoughts in the comments!