Not All Loanwords Come from English
Most learners assume katakana loanwords are from English. While English is dominant, Japanese has borrowed extensively from Portuguese (16th century trade), French (19th-20th century), Dutch (Edo period), and German (especially medical/scientific). Knowing the source language helps you decode these words.
From Portuguese (ポルトガル語)
Portuguese traders arrived in Japan in the 16th century, introducing Christianity, firearms, and many everyday items:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Portuguese origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| パン | pan | bread | pão |
| カステラ | kasutera | sponge cake | Castela (from Castile, Spain) |
| コップ | koppu | glass/cup | copo |
| ビードロ | biidoro | glass (archaic) | vidro |
| タバコ | tabako | tobacco | tabaco |
| テンプラ | tenpura | tempura | têmporas (possibly) |
From French (フランス語)
| Japanese | Romaji | English | French origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| クレヨン | kureyon | crayon | crayon |
| アトリエ | atorie | atelier / studio | atelier |
| ブティック | butikku | boutique | boutique |
| コンクール | konkuuru | competition / contest | concours |
| アンケート | ankeeto | questionnaire | enquête |
| デッサン | dessan | sketch / drawing | dessin |
| ズボン | zubon | trousers/pants | jupon (underskirt — meaning shifted!) |
From German (ドイツ語)
| Japanese | Romaji | English | German origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| アルバイト | arubaito | part-time job | Arbeit (work) |
| ギプス | gipusu | plaster cast | Gips |
| テーゼ | teeze | thesis | These |
| リュック | ryukku | backpack / rucksack | Rucksack |
| カルテ | karute | medical chart/record | Karte |
From Dutch (オランダ語)
| Japanese | Romaji | English/meaning |
|---|---|---|
| コック | kokku | cook / chef |
| ペンキ | penki | paint |
| ビール | biiru | beer |
Yuka & Rei Explore the Origins of Japanese Loanwords
See how these words come alive in a real exchange between Yuka and Rei. Pay attention to how they explain — and occasionally correct — each other. That back-and-forth is exactly how language learning works.
YukaRei, I was surprised to learn that アルバイト comes from German! I always thought Japanese only borrowed from English.
ReiJapanese is a fascinating borrower! アルバイト (part-time work) comes from German Arbeit. リュック (backpack) is from German Rucksack. The German influence came through medicine and academia in the Meiji era when Japan studied German universities.
YukaWhat about words from Portuguese? I heard some came from there.
ReiYes! Portuguese missionaries in the 1500s brought words that stuck. パン (bread) from pão. カルタ (cards) from carta. テンプラ (tempura) may also be from Portuguese. These words have been Japanese for 500 years — most people don’t know their origin!
YukaAnd when I see a katakana word I don’t know, is it usually English?
ReiAbout 80–90% of modern katakana loanwords are from English, so guessing English is usually right. But watch out — some have shifted in meaning! スマート means slim, not clever. マンション is an apartment, not a mansion. These false friends trip up English speakers!
5 Practice Sentences — Read These Aloud
Speak each sentence at least three times. Hearing your own voice say these words is the fastest route to natural recall.
- パンをかいにいきます。フランスパンがすきです。
I’m going to buy bread. I like French bread. - リュックにたくさんいれすぎてしまいました。
I put too many things in the backpack. - このマンションはえきからちかくてべんりです。
This apartment is close to the station and convenient. - スマートなデザインのパソコンですね。
That’s a sleek-looking laptop, isn’t it? - アルバイトをしながらにほんごをべんきょうしています。
I’m studying Japanese while doing a part-time job.
Your Turn! Leave Your Sentence in the Comments
The best way to memorise vocabulary is to produce it yourself. Pick 2–3 words from this article and write your own sentences — about your daily life, your hometown, your work, anything.
Leave your sentences in the comments below. Other learners will read them, and you might inspire someone else’s learning journey. Log in to keep your comment history — our most active contributors appear in the Top Commenters ranking in the sidebar!
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