— ## Smartphone Vocabulary Japan is a nation of smartphone users, and the language around phones is something you will encounter constantly — in shops, on signs, and in everyday conversation. Here are the key words and what makes each one worth knowing. **スマートフォン（すまーとふぉん）/ スマホ** スマートフォン is the full loan-word, but in daily speech almost everyone says **スマホ** — a shortened form. You will see both in writing, but スマホ is what you will hear. In formal contexts (product listings, news articles, shop signs), the full form スマートフォン appears more frequently. > 新しいスマホを買いました。(*Atarashii sumaho wo kaimashita.*) — I bought a new smartphone. **携帯電話（けいたいでんわ）/ 携帯（けいたい）** 携帯電話（けいたいでんわ）literally means “portable telephone.” Before smartphones became universal, this was the standard word for any mobile phone. Today, 携帯 is still widely used in casual speech to mean any mobile phone, though technically it refers to a feature phone or flip phone. In everyday use, 携帯 and スマホ often overlap — many people say 携帯 even when they mean smartphone. > 携帯の番号を教えてもらえますか？(*Keitai no bangō wo oshiete moraemasu ka?*) — Could you give me your phone number? **充電（じゅうでん）** 充電（じゅうでん）means “charging.” You will use this word constantly in Japan — for asking where to charge your phone, telling someone your battery is low, or looking for a charging cable. > 充電してもいいですか？(*Jūden shite mo ii desu ka?*) — Is it okay if I charge my phone?
> 充電が少ない。(*Jūden ga sukunai.*) — My battery is low. **電池（でんち）** 電池（でんち）means “battery” in the physical sense — the actual battery unit inside a device. When talking about battery level on a smartphone screen, Japanese speakers often use 充電 or バッテリー (*batterī*) interchangeably. **画面（がめん）** 画面（がめん）means “screen” or “display.” This is a native Japanese word, not a loanword, so it is worth memorizing directly. > 画面が割れました。(*Gamen ga waremashita.*) — The screen cracked. **通知（つうち）** 通知（つうち）means “notification.” You will see this word constantly in phone settings menus. > 通知をオフにしました。(*Tsūchi wo ofu ni shimashita.*) — I turned off notifications. **写真（しゃしん）/ 動画（どうが）** 写真（しゃしん）is “photo” and 動画（どうが）is “video.” These are both native Japanese words that appear constantly in phone contexts. > 写真を撮ってもいいですか？(*Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?*) — May I take a photo? **電波（でんぱ）** 電波（でんぱ）literally means “radio wave” and is used to refer to mobile signal strength. This is different from Wi-Fi. If your phone shows no bars, you would say 電波がない (*denpa ga nai*) — no signal. If you are asking about Wi-Fi specifically, use Wi-Fi（ワイファイ）instead. > 電波が悪い。(*Denpa ga warui.*) — The signal is bad.
> ここは電波がない。(*Koko wa denpa ga nai.*) — There is no signal here.
Yuka
So if my phone has no internet but I can still make calls, I would say 電波はあるけどWi-Fiがない, right?
Rei
Exactly! 電波 is mobile signal, Wi-Fi is Wi-Fi. They are completely separate in Japanese too. Great distinction to keep in mind when traveling in Japan.
— ## Computer and Device Vocabulary Whether you are working in Japan, studying at a Japanese university, or just trying to navigate a Japanese website on a laptop, knowing computer vocabulary will make your life easier. Most of these words are katakana loanwords. | Japanese | Reading | English |
|—|—|—|
| パソコン | pasokon | personal computer (PC) |
| ノートパソコン | nōto pasokon | laptop |
| デスクトップ | desukutoppu | desktop computer |
| キーボード | kībōdo | keyboard |
| マウス | mausu | mouse |
| ファイル | fairu | file |
| フォルダ | foruda | folder |
| 保存（ほぞん）する | hozon suru | to save |
| 削除（さくじょ）する | sakujo suru | to delete |
| 画面（がめん） | gamen | screen / display |
| タブレット | taburetto | tablet |
| プリンター | purintā | printer |
| コピー | kopī | copy |
| ペースト | pēsuto | paste |
| スクリーンショット | sukurīnshotto | screenshot | **パソコン** is a shortened form of “personal computer” — Japanese speakers took the English phrase and trimmed it into a word that fits naturally into conversation. You will rarely hear the full パーソナルコンピューター in daily speech. The two most important action words here are 保存（ほぞん）する (to save) and 削除（さくじょ）する (to delete). These are kanji compounds and come up in menus, prompts, and instructions constantly. When a computer asks “本当に削除しますか？” (*Hontō ni sakujo shimasu ka?*) — “Are you sure you want to delete?” — you want to recognize that before clicking yes. > ファイルを保存してください。(*Fairu wo hozon shite kudasai.*) — Please save the file.
> このフォルダを削除しました。(*Kono foruda wo sakujo shimashita.*) — I deleted this folder. — ## Internet and Wi-Fi Vocabulary Japan’s internet infrastructure is excellent, and free Wi-Fi is widely available in convenience stores, cafés, train stations, and hotels. Knowing how to ask about it — and how to troubleshoot when it does not work — is essential. **インターネット** インターネット (*intānetto*) is simply “internet.” In casual speech, Japanese people often shorten it to ネット (*netto*). > ネットで調べます。(*Netto de shirabemasu.*) — I’ll look it up online. **Wi-Fi（ワイファイ）** Japanese people pronounce this ワイファイ (*waifai*). The spelling Wi-Fi appears in writing alongside the katakana. **Traveler’s essential phrase:**
> Wi-Fiはありますか？(*Waifai wa arimasu ka?*) — Is there Wi-Fi? This is one of the most practically useful sentences in this entire article. Say it at cafés, hotels, or guesthouses. You can also ask:
> Wi-Fiのパスワードを教えてもらえますか？(*Waifai no pasuwādo wo oshiete moraemasu ka?*) — Could you tell me the Wi-Fi password? **接続（せつぞく）** 接続（せつぞく）means “connection” or “to connect.” It is more formal/written, and appears frequently in settings menus and error messages. > インターネット接続がありません。(*Intānetto setsuzoku ga arimasen.*) — There is no internet connection. **つながる / つながらない** These are the everyday conversational verbs for whether your device connects. つながる means “it connects” and つながらない means “it won’t connect” or “it’s not connecting.” > Wi-Fiにつながらない。(*Waifai ni tsunagaranai.*) — The Wi-Fi won’t connect. Note the particle に here: when connecting *to* something, Japanese uses に. **検索（けんさく）する** 検索（けんさく）する means “to search.” This is the standard word you will see on search buttons in Japanese websites and apps. > 日本語で検索しました。(*Nihongo de kensaku shimashita.*) — I searched in Japanese. **サイト / ウェブサイト** サイト (*saito*) is the shortened form of “website,” used in casual speech. ウェブサイト (*uebusaito*) is the full form. **ブラウザ** ブラウザ (*burauza*) is “browser.” Standard tech loanword. **ダウンロード / アップロード** ダウンロード (*daunrōdo*) is “download” and アップロード (*appurōdo*) is “upload.” Both are very commonly shortened in speech to just DL (ディーエル) and UL (ユーエル) in informal online contexts, but the full forms are safer in all situations. > このファイルをダウンロードしてください。(*Kono fairu wo daunrōdo shite kudasai.*) — Please download this file. — ## Apps and Account Vocabulary Setting up and using Japanese apps requires knowing the language of accounts and authentication. Here are the most essential terms. **アプリ** アプリ (*apuri*) is short for アプリケーション — application. This is what everyone says in casual speech. > 無料のアプリを使っています。(*Muryō no apuri wo tsukatte imasu.*) — I’m using a free app. **アカウント** アカウント (*akaunto*) is “account.” Straightforward loanword. **ログイン / ログアウト** ログイン (*roguin*) and ログアウト (*rogauto*) are “log in” and “log out.” You will also see サインイン (*sain-in*) and サインアウト (*sain-auto*) on some platforms. > アカウントにログインしてください。(*Akaunto ni roguin shite kudasai.*) — Please log in to your account. **パスワード** パスワード (*pasuwādo*) is “password.” Important: the Japanese katakana pronunciation stretches “password” into four syllables — pa-su-wā-do. English speakers sometimes say this too fast and are not understood. **ユーザー名（ゆーざーめい）** ユーザー名 (*yūzāmei*) is “username.” The 名 (*mei* / *na*) suffix means “name” — you will see it on login forms. **登録（とうろく）する** 登録（とうろく）する means “to register” or “to sign up.” When a Japanese app or website asks you to create an account, it will often say 新規登録（しんきとうろく）— “new registration” — rather than “sign up.” > 無料で登録できます。(*Muryō de tōroku dekimasu.*) — You can register for free. **認証（にんしょう）** 認証（にんしょう）means “authentication” or “verification.” You will see 二段階認証（にだんかいにんしょう）— two-factor authentication — frequently on Japanese service websites. **更新（こうしん）する** 更新（こうしん）する means “to update” (as in updating an app or renewing a subscription). This is an important word in the age of automatic updates. > アプリを更新してください。(*Apuri wo kōshin shite kudasai.*) — Please update the app. **削除（さくじょ）する** 削除（さくじょ）する reappears here for “delete account” contexts. アカウントを削除する (*akaunto wo sakujo suru*) means “to delete an account.”
Yuka
I was trying to sign up for a Japanese streaming service and I couldn’t figure out the account setup page at all. Now I realize the button probably said 新規登録!
Rei
Yes! 新規登録 is the phrase to look for on registration pages. Also watch for 確認 (かくにん, confirmation) and 送信 (そうしん, submit/send) — those two words appear on almost every form in Japan.
— ## Email and Messaging Vocabulary Email culture in Japan is significant — particularly in professional settings, where formal email writing (ビジネスメール) is its own extensive topic. This section focuses on the core vocabulary for everyday email and messaging use. **メール** メール (*mēru*) can refer to email, text message, or any written digital message depending on context. In business settings it almost always means email. On messaging apps, people more often say メッセージ (*messēji*) or LINE (ライン) — referring to the dominant messaging platform in Japan. **件名（けんめい）** 件名（けんめい）means “subject line” in an email. You will see this on every Japanese email composition screen. **送信（そうしん）する** 送信（そうしん）する means “to send.” The button to send an email or message in Japanese is labeled 送信. **受信（じゅしん）する** 受信（じゅしん）する means “to receive.” 受信トレイ (*jūshin torei*) is “inbox” — literally “receive tray.” **返信（へんしん）する** 返信（へんしん）する means “to reply.” Notice the pattern: 送 = send, 受 = receive, 返 = return/reply. Learning the kanji components helps you decode new combinations quickly. **転送（てんそう）する** 転送（てんそう）する means “to forward” an email. **添付（てんぷ）する** 添付（てんぷ）する means “to attach” (a file). 添付ファイル (*tenpu fairu*) is “attached file” or “attachment.” This is an essential phrase for business email in Japan. > 添付ファイルをご確認ください。(*Tenpu fairu wo go-kakunin kudasai.*) — Please check the attached file. **迷惑メール（めいわくめーる）** 迷惑メール（めいわくめーる）literally means “nuisance mail” — i.e., spam. 迷惑（めいわく）means “nuisance / trouble” and is a versatile word in Japanese life beyond just email. **既読（きどく）/ 未読（みどく）** 既読（きどく）means “read” (as in a message that has been read) and 未読（みどく）means “unread.” The prefix 既 means “already” and 未 means “not yet.” **Cultural note — 既読スルー (kidoku surū):** In Japan, the messaging app LINE shows a small 既読 indicator when the recipient has read your message. This has created a distinct social phenomenon: 既読スルー (*kidoku surū*) — reading a message and deliberately not replying. スルー comes from English “through” and means “to ignore / to let something pass.” Being 既読スルー’d by someone can be socially significant in Japan, especially in close relationships, and is sometimes considered a passive form of rejection or avoidance. The word entered mainstream Japanese and is widely used among younger generations. > 既読スルーされた。(*Kidoku surū sareta.*) — I got left on read. — ## Technology Trouble Phrases When technology fails — and it will — you need to be able to describe the problem. Here are the most important trouble phrases, along with a pattern table showing how Japanese expresses technical problems. ### Essential Trouble Phrases **Wi-Fiにつながりません**
(*Waifai ni tsunagarimasen*) — The Wi-Fi won’t connect. **パスワードを忘れました**
(*Pasuwādo wo wasuremashita*) — I forgot my password. **充電がありません / 充電がきれました**
(*Jūden ga arimasen / Jūden ga kiremashita*) — I have no charge / My battery died. **画面が割れました**
(*Gamen ga waremashita*) — The screen cracked. **アプリが動きません**
(*Apuri ga ugokimasen*) — The app won’t work / The app isn’t running. **インターネットにつながらない**
(*Intānetto ni tsunagaranai*) — I can’t connect to the internet. **電波がない**
(*Denpa ga nai*) — There is no signal. **ログインできません**
(*Roguin dekimasen*) — I can’t log in. ### Trouble Sentence Pattern Table Japanese technology trouble phrases follow a small set of reliable patterns. Recognizing these patterns helps you both understand error messages and construct your own phrases. | Pattern | Structure | Example |
|—|—|—|
| Cannot connect | [device]に つながりません | Wi-Fiにつながりません |
| Cannot do [action] | [action]できません | ログインできません |
| [Thing] does not work | [thing]が 動きません | アプリが動きません |
| [Thing] died / ran out | [thing]が きれました | 充電がきれました |
| Forgot [thing] | [thing]を 忘れました | パスワードを忘れました |
| [Thing] broke / cracked | [thing]が 壊れました / 割れました | 画面が割れました | The verb できません (*dekimasen*) deserves special attention. It combines the stem of a verb with the potential form + negative: it means “cannot do [X].” Any time you need to say you cannot perform a tech action, this is your go-to ending. — ## Common Mistakes English Speakers Make Even with the katakana advantage, English speakers make predictable errors with Japanese tech vocabulary. Here are the ones worth knowing about before they trip you up. **Mistake 1: Assuming katakana words sound exactly like English** Katakana adapts English words to Japanese phonology, which means every consonant cluster is broken up with vowels, and some English sounds do not exist in Japanese. “password” becomes pa-su-wā-do (4 syllables). “download” becomes da-u-n-rō-do (5 syllables). “Screenshot” becomes su-ku-rī-n-sho-t-to (7 syllables). Speaking tech words at English speed and with English sounds will often make them unrecognizable. Slow down and follow the katakana syllable-by-syllable. **Mistake 2: Confusing 携帯 and スマホ** Both words are used for mobile phones, and in casual speech you can often use them interchangeably. However, 携帯 is the older, broader term that technically includes feature phones (いわゆるガラケー — *gara-kē*, Japan’s old domestic feature phones). スマホ specifically means smartphone. In a shop context, use スマホ when you mean a smartphone specifically. **Mistake 3: Confusing メール and メッセージ** メール in Japan has a narrower feel than “message” in English. In professional contexts, メール almost always means email. For chat-style messages sent via LINE or iMessage-style apps, Japanese people say メッセージ or simply refer to the app name (LINEを送る — to send a LINE message). Saying メールを送る to a younger person when you mean a chat message may sound slightly formal. **Mistake 4: Misreading katakana tech words** The katakana pairs ウ/ワ, ス/ズ, フ/ブ, ダ/タ, and long-vowel marks (ー) cause problems for newer readers. ブラウザ (browser) is not “burawuza” — the ー marks a long vowel on ラウ. キーボード (keyboard) has two long vowels: キー and ボー. Drilling katakana reading in a tech context is excellent practice because the English anchors help you check your own reading. **Mistake 5: Forgetting that 削除 means permanent deletion** 削除（さくじょ）する appears in menus and means delete. When you see 削除しますか？— it is not asking if you want to move something to trash. It often means permanent deletion. Recognize it before clicking confirm. — ## Have You Tried Navigating a Japanese App? Have you ever tried to use a Japanese app, website, or service and run into unfamiliar vocabulary? Which tech-related Japanese word or phrase have you found most useful in real life? Leave a comment below — whether you are a beginner just learning katakana or an intermediate learner who recently set up a Japanese account, we would love to hear what you found most challenging or most helpful. — ## Quick Quiz Test yourself on what you have learned. Fill in the blank with the correct Japanese word or phrase. **Question 1**
You want to ask a café owner if they have Wi-Fi. What do you say?
______はありますか？ **Question 2**
Your phone battery has died. Which Japanese word describes the battery level on your phone?
充電が______。(hint: two kanji + past tense verb) **Question 3**
You forgot your password and cannot log in. Complete the sentence:
パスワードを______。 **Question 4**
You are trying to attach a file to an email in Japanese. What verb do you use?
ファイルを______する。 **Question 5**
Read this katakana word and write its English meaning: ダウンロード — **Answers** 1. Wi-Fi（ワイファイ）はありますか？
2. 充電がきれました (*Jūden ga kiremashita*) — My battery died.
3. パスワードを忘れました (*Pasuwādo wo wasuremashita*) — I forgot my password.
4. 添付（てんぷ）する — to attach
5. download (ダウンロード = *daunrōdo*)
Yuka
I got all five! Though I had to really think about 添付 — I kept wanting to write アタッチ. Is アタッチ ever used?
Rei
アタッチ is occasionally used in very casual tech conversations, but 添付 is the standard word you will see on every email interface. In any professional or semi-formal setting, 添付ファイル is what you want. Stick with the kanji form and you will never go wrong.
— ## Keep Learning Technology vocabulary overlaps heavily with katakana reading skills. If you want to decode Japanese tech menus and loanwords more reliably, these articles will help you build the foundation:
How to Memorize Katakana Fast: A 7-Day MethodYou already know hiragana — or you're well on your way. That means you already know all the sounds katakana uses. Katakana（カタカナ）has exactly 46 base cha...
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