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

Are You a “Going My Way” Person?

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

One of my favorite words of Japanese is actually wasei eigo or “made-in-Japan English.” It’s the phrase “going my way,” and it refers to people who live life in their one way without being overly concerned with society all around them, free to ignore social rules as they choose. As with the word “my pace,” it’s used as a fixed phrase no matter what the subject is, which makes for some strange sentences like, “That person over there is really ‘going my way.'” Another word that changes when imported into Japanese is “free.” While the term most often has to do with absense of cost in English, in Japanese it’s more about freedom of choice, so a “free ticket” here would be a ticket that let you go on any attraction rather than one that didn’t cost you anything. A shirt that says “free size” will supposedly fit anyone (although large gaijin like me know better), and when a Japanese person goes to sell something at a flea market, in his mind he’s really going to a “free market” where anything can be bought or sold freely. Are you an “about” person? The Japanese use this English preposition as an adjective meaning vague or imprecise. Messing up English can be fun!

o04000318xf3535091766w-400x318

Tags: engrishgaijin

More Posts Like This

Is Japan Xenophobic
Your Friend in Japan

No, Japan Is Not Xenophobic. Here’s Why.

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

Last night I was finishing up my evening social media work when I noticed a phrase was trending on X....

You've Been In Japan Too Long When
Your Friend in Japan

The Ultimate ‘You’ve Been in Japan Too Long When…’ List!

by Peter Payne
3 years ago

You've been in Japan Too Long when... This is a post of the collected list of "You've been in Japan...

Rugby Explosion In Japan

Rugby Explosion in Japan!

6 years ago
The three stages of gaijin eye aversion?

What Are The Three Stages of Gaijin Eye Aversion?

6 years ago
Why Are Some Anime Inaccessible To Foreigners

Why Are Some Anime Inaccessible to Foreigners?

6 years ago
The Internet Taught Me Japanese

The Internet Taught me Japanese through Puns

6 years ago
Next Post

Japan's Food Problem and a Possible Solution?

Trending Today

Stellar Blade Cosplay
Featured

The Hottest Stellar Blade Cosplay—Just Before the PC Release

6 days ago
Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

2 months ago
The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 week ago
The Top 10 Jav Actresses Article
Your Friend in Japan

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

4 days ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

3 months ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Megami Magazine And The History Of Anime Poster Magazines
Your Friend in Japan

Anime Posters and Pantsu: How Megami Magazine Shaped 25 Years of Otaku Culture

by Peter Payne
June 16, 2025

Anime Posters and Pantsu: How Megami Magazine Shaped 25 Years of Otaku Culture

The Kanako Tateshiba 1/5.5 Figure Is a Pettanko Lover’s Dream

Legends Return in Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers

Let’s Check Out The New Rikka Ono Photobook FIVE LIVE

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 7 — Peeking Through the Thin Veil

  • 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.