Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Language and Loan Words

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
14 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

It’s common for words to pass from one language to another, with meanings that get updated or redefined to fit the needs of the new language group. Many of the words we use in English originally came from French, for example, words like beef, pork and poultry came to indicate the meat of cows, pigs and chickens through the interaction between French-speaking landowners (who ate the meat) and their English-speaking hired help (who tended the animals). The Japanese borrow words from other languages too, and not just silly phrases like SUPER HAPPY GET CHANCE. While most foreign loan words are 20th Century imports, quite a few came into use in the Edo Period and before, including tempura (from the Portuguese word for spice), garasu (window glass), kohi (coffee), and kirishitan (Christian). In fact, these words have been in use for so long they have kanji assigned to them, which violates the (modern) rule that katakana be used to write foreign-based words. Since these kanji words have old-world charm associated with them that’s not unlike archaic spellings of words in English , it’s common to see these kanji words used to create a unique atmosphere in coffee shops, etc.

So what would the meat of a Tenga Egg-laying chicken be? Or maybe I don’t want to know.

Tags: Japanese languageonaholesTenga

More Posts Like This

Happy News! J List's Fiscal Year End Sale Gives You The Best Anime Deals
Your Friend in Japan

Don’t Miss the Best Anime Deals in J-List’s Fiscal Year-End Clearance!

by Peter Payne
7 months ago

Can you believe it's May already? Whether we're marking time with the passing of each anime season or busily adding...

When The Subtitles Substitute Name For Onii Chan
Your Friend in Japan

Onii-chan, No! When Translators Don’t Follow Japanese Naming Conventions

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

How do you feel when you're watching anime and a character uses an honorific like "Onii-chan," but the subtitles use...

Japanese Is Similar To Spanish Blog

Why Is Japanese So Similar to Spanish? Let’s Compare Both Languages!

1 year ago
What Does Bitch Mean In Japanese

Bitch Means What in Japanese?? Nine Times Japan Changed the Meaning of Words

1 year ago
Sex With Your Otaku Friend

The Official Sex With Your Otaku Friend Ero Toy Is Mindblowing!

2 years ago
Sensual Meister ~ Gal Mama J J 41

Three New MILF-Themed Ero Toys from Japan!

2 years ago
Next Post
O4ughf W

Chopsticks and Japan

Trending Today

The J List Jav Actress Ranking 2025
Your Friend in Japan

JAV Actress Ranking: Who Are The Top Stars on J-List in 2025?

4 months ago
Banned Anime You Can't Watch Anymore Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

Banned Anime!? Anime You Can’t Watch Anymore in the Age of Streaming

7 days ago
The Top 10 Jav Actresses Article
Your Friend in Japan

The Top 10 JAV Actresses to Browse During J-List’s Sale!

6 months ago
Summer 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
Featured

Summer 2025 Ecchi Anime and The Streaming Services of Culture

5 months ago
The 10 Best Anime Characters Who Have Sex
Your Friend in Japan

The 10 Best Anime Main Characters (Who Actually Have Sex)

9 months ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
J List Anime Gift Guide 2025
Your Friend in Japan

ANIME GIFT GUIDE 2025: Looking For the Best Anime Gifts? Use J-List’s $40 Holiday Coupon!

by Peter Payne
December 4, 2025

ANIME GIFT GUIDE 2025: Looking For the Best Anime Gifts? Use J-List’s $40 Holiday Coupon!

Does It Count If You Lose Your Virginity to an Android? Yes, It Does

The Kasane Minazumi 1/7 Figure Embodies Confident Shyness

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Continues the Adventure

Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun, Episode 9 — Knead Knotty Muscles in the Dark!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.