15 Hilarious Japanese Words That Sound Ridiculous in English179

The Japanese language is a fascinating one, with its unique combination of sounds and characters. While this makes it a beautiful language to speak, it can also lead to some amusing misunderstandings when Japanese words are translated into English. Here are 15 Japanese words that are especially funny when pronounced in English, along with their English translations:

1. Bikkuri (びっくり) - To be surprised. In English, this word sounds like "booger," which is a term for mucus from the nose.

2. Furisode (ふりそで) - A type of kimono with long, flowing sleeves. In English, this word sounds like "fury soda," which is an image that is both comical and confusing.

3. Ikura (いくら) - Salmon roe. In English, this word sounds like "ick-yura," which is not a particularly appetizing way to describe fish eggs.

4. Jiraiya (じらいや) - A legendary ninja. In English, this word sounds like "giraffe," which is a rather strange name for a ninja.

5. Kitsune (きつね) - A fox. In English, this word sounds like "kitten," which is a much cuter description for a fox than its actual Japanese name.

6. Manju (まんじゅう) - A type of steamed bun filled with sweet red bean paste. In English, this word sounds like "man juice," which is a rather unappetizing way to describe a food item.

7. Natto (なっとう) - A type of fermented soybeans. In English, this word sounds like "naughty," which is not a very good description for a food item that is actually quite healthy.

8. Otaku (おたく) - A person who is obsessed with anime, manga, or other Japanese cultural products. In English, this word sounds like "hootah," which is slang for a type of adult entertainment establishment.

9. Pokkiri (ぽっきり) - To snap in two. In English, this word sounds like "pocky," which is a type of Japanese snack food.

10. Ramen (ラーメン) - A type of Japanese noodle soup. In English, this word sounds like "raymen," which is a rather boring name for a delicious food item.

11. Shiitake (しいたけ) - A type of mushroom. In English, this word sounds like "shitty," which is a rather unfortunate name for a food item that is actually quite tasty.

12. Soba (そば) - A type of buckwheat noodle. In English, this word sounds like "sober," which is a rather strange name for a food item that is often served with alcohol.

13. Takoyaki (たこやき) - A type of octopus ball. In English, this word sounds like "taco valley," which is a rather confusing name for a food item that is not at all related to tacos.

14. Tofu (とうふ) - A type of soybean curd. In English, this word sounds like "toffee," which is a type of candy that is made from sugar and butter.

15. Yakitori (やきとり) - A type of grilled chicken skewer. In English, this word sounds like "yucky dori," which is not a very appetizing way to describe a food item that is actually quite delicious.

2025-02-10

Previous：How to Pronounce ㄱ in Korean

Next：Korean Restaurant Pronunciation Guide