Learn Japanese Vocabulary Quickly
Jumpstart Language Study with Japanese/English Cognates
Nov 20, 2008
Cognates are words found in two different languages that have similar phonemic structures and the same meaning. These words have the same root or origin. There are many Japanese/English cognates. Becoming aware of these cognates can help beginning Japanese language students increase their vocabulary.
Pronunciation Note For Japanese/English Cognates
A note of caution: even though the romaji versions of the Japanese words included below are derived or imported from the English versions, the Japanese words will have their own unique pronunciations. This is because of the difference in sounds between the two languages. For instance, there is no “l” sound in the Japanese language, so that English phoneme often translates as a form of “r.” Be sure to review Japanese pronunciations or ask a Japanese speaker to pronounce these words.
The following Japanese/English cognates are grouped into categories to put them into useful contexts. Because they are borrowed from English, they are typically spelled in Japanese using the katakana alphabet. To view the words in katakana, try Yahoo's Babel Fish website. Input the English version, then select translate from English to Japanese.
Musical Cognates
- gita – guitar
- toranpetto – trumpet
- piano – piano
- hamonica – harmonica
Sports Cognates
- boru - ball
- basukettoboru - basketball
- sakka - soccer
- tenisu - tennis
- futtoboru - football
Food Cognates
- banana – banana
- chokoreto – chocolate
- keki – cake
- aisukuriimu – ice cream
- pikunikku – picnic
- sandoichi – sandwich
- chizu – cheese
Household Items Cognates
- toiretto-pepa – toilet paper
- shawa – shower
- suponji –sponge
- taoru – towel
- burashi – brush
- nekkuresu – necklace
- sutsukesu – suitcase
- karenda – calendar
- kamera – camera
- rajio – radio
- shiidii – CD
- bideo – video
- kusshon – cushion/pillow
- sofa – sofa
- teburu – table
- ranpu – lamp
- beddo – bed
- shitsu – sheet
- doa – door
- suicchi – switch
- kohii-kappu – coffee cup
- naifu – knife
- purezento – present
Tools and Automotive Cognates
- moppu - mop
- hanma – hammer
- antenna – antenna
- robotto – robot
- taiya – tire
- enjin – engine
- batterii – battery
- oriu – oil
- gasorin – gasoline
Animal Cognates
- panda – panda
- raion – lion
- pengin – penguin
- gorira – gorilla
- kangaru – kangaroo
- baffaro – buffalo
Places to Go Cognates
- patii - party
- apato - apartment
- resutoran - restaurant
- hoteru – hotel
Transportation Cognates
- yotto – yacht
- kanu – canoe
- herikoputa – helicopter
- basu – bus
- takushii – taxi
- torakku – truck
- roketto – rocket
Japanese to English Cognates
The words in the above cognate lists are Japanese words that were borrowed from the English. However, there are a growing number of Japanese words that have become part of the English lexicon. Here are a few:
- karaoke – singing to prerecorded music
- karate – a form of martial arts or self defense
- origami – the art of paper folding
- sushi – a rice ball with slice raw fish or vegetable on top
- tsunami – a destructive tidal wave
- samurai – Japanese warriors
- sake – Japanese rice wine
- kimono – a traditional Japanese dress or robe
- hibachi – a portable charcoal grill (English version); an open-topped container, generally cylindrical or box-shaped, designed to hold burning charcoal (Japanese version)
Identifying cognates can help those who study Japanese to learn usable vocabulary quickly. The above cognate inventory is by no means a complete list; but it provides a starting place to increase functional vocabulary. The list can be added to as new cognates are discovered.
Sayonara!
Thinking about trying a self-study program to learn Japanese? Check out the article "Japanese Language Learning Programs."
Planning a trip to Japan? Read these articles: "A Successful Japanese Homestay" and "Visiting Japan? What to Know!"
