Koi
鯉
Japanese ornamental carp, symbol of strength, perseverance, and good fortune.
Japanese Glossary
– Discover the secrets of Japanese culture hidden in its words –
New terms every week!
[ Latest words = 🟢]
Animals and Beasts
Komainu (狛犬)
Pair of lion-like statues guarding the entrance to Shinto shrines.
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Komainu
狛犬
Pair of lion-like statues guarding the entrance to Shinto shrines.
Tanuki (狸)
Japanese folklore creature known for its transformations and luck-bringing charm.
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Tanuki
狸
Japanese folklore creature known for its transformations and luck-bringing charm.
Tengu (天狗)
Legendary Japanese creature, part spirit, part demon, known for its long nose and supernatural powers.
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Tengu
天狗
Legendary Japanese creature, part spirit, part demon, known for its long nose and supernatural powers.
Art and Creativity
Bonsai (盆栽)
Miniature trees artfully grown, symbolizing balance and harmony.
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Bonsai
盆栽
Miniature trees artfully grown, symbolizing balance and harmony.
Haiku (俳句)
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
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Haiku
俳句
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
Ikebana (生け花)
Japanese art of flower arrangement, focusing on balance, space, and harmony.
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Ikebana
生け花
Japanese art of flower arrangement, focusing on balance, space, and harmony.
Kokeshi (こけし)
Traditional wooden dolls from northern Japan, with a cylindrical body and stylized face.
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Kokeshi
こけし
Traditional wooden dolls from northern Japan, with a cylindrical body and stylized face.
Koto (箏)
Traditional Japanese stringed instrument, similar to a long zither.
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Koto
箏
Traditional Japanese stringed instrument, similar to a long zither.
Maiko (舞妓)
Japanese apprentice geisha, recognizable by her elaborate hairstyle and vibrant kimono.
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Maiko
舞妓
Japanese apprentice geisha, recognizable by her elaborate hairstyle and vibrant kimono.
Shamisen (三味線)
Traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument, similar to a lute, used in Japanese music.
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Shamisen
三味線
Traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument, similar to a lute, used in Japanese music.
Taiko (太鼓)
Traditional Japanese drum used in ceremonies, festivals, and dynamic performances.
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Taiko
太鼓
Traditional Japanese drum used in ceremonies, festivals, and dynamic performances.
Daily Life
Furoshiki (風呂敷)
Japanese cloth square used to wrap and carry objects, gifts, or accessories.
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Furoshiki
風呂敷
Japanese cloth square used to wrap and carry objects, gifts, or accessories.
Hanko (判子)
Personal Japanese stamp used for official documents and daily life.
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Hanko
判子
Personal Japanese stamp used for official documents and daily life.
Food and Gastronomy
Hashi (箸)
Japanese chopsticks used for eating, a symbol of culture and daily gestures.
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Hashi
箸
Japanese chopsticks used for eating, a symbol of culture and daily gestures.
Izakaya (居酒屋)
Informal Japanese tavern where people drink and eat together after work.
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Izakaya
居酒屋
Informal Japanese tavern where people drink and eat together after work.
Senbei (煎餅)
Crispy Japanese rice crackers, often flavored with soy sauce or seaweed.
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Senbei
煎餅
Crispy Japanese rice crackers, often flavored with soy sauce or seaweed.
Taiyaki (たい焼き)
Fish-shaped Japanese sweet filled with anko or other sweet and savory fillings.
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Taiyaki
たい焼き
Fish-shaped Japanese sweet filled with anko or other sweet and savory fillings.
Umami (うま味)
The fifth fundamental taste, discovered in Japan, tied to deep, lingering savoriness.
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Umami
うま味
The fifth fundamental taste, discovered in Japan, tied to deep, lingering savoriness.
Wagashi (和菓子)
Traditional Japanese sweets, often served with green tea and inspired by the seasons.
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Wagashi
和菓子
Traditional Japanese sweets, often served with green tea and inspired by the seasons.
Yatai (屋台)
Mobile Japanese food stalls selling street food during festivals and city nights.
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Yatai
屋台
Mobile Japanese food stalls selling street food during festivals and city nights.
Language and Communication
Ganbatte (頑張って)
Japanese expression used to encourage someone to give their best or not give up.
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Ganbatte
頑張って
Japanese expression used to encourage someone to give their best or not give up.
Haiku (俳句)
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
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Haiku
俳句
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
Kanji (漢字)
Chinese-origin characters used in Japanese writing alongside hiragana and katakana.
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Kanji
漢字
Chinese-origin characters used in Japanese writing alongside hiragana and katakana.
Sugoi (すごい)
Japanese expression used to convey amazement, excitement, or wonder.
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Sugoi
すごい
Japanese expression used to convey amazement, excitement, or wonder.
Nature and Environment
Bonsai (盆栽)
Miniature trees artfully grown, symbolizing balance and harmony.
Learn moreBonsai
盆栽
Miniature trees artfully grown, symbolizing balance and harmony.
Hanami (花見)
Japanese tradition of observing cherry blossom blooming in spring.
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Hanami
花見
Japanese tradition of observing cherry blossom blooming in spring.
Ikebana (生け花)
Japanese art of flower arrangement, focusing on balance, space, and harmony.
Learn moreIkebana
生け花
Japanese art of flower arrangement, focusing on balance, space, and harmony.
POP Culture
Gachapon (ガチャポン)
Japanese vending machines dispensing surprise capsules with collectible gadgets.
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Gachapon
ガチャポン
Japanese vending machines dispensing surprise capsules with collectible gadgets.
Society and Values
Matsuri (祭り)
Traditional Japanese festivals celebrating deities, seasons, or local communities.
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Matsuri
祭り
Traditional Japanese festivals celebrating deities, seasons, or local communities.
Senpai (先輩)
Senior figure in academic, professional, or social settings who guides younger members (kōhai).
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Sports and Activities
Sumo (相撲)
Traditional Japanese martial art based on combat between two wrestlers in a circular ring.
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Sumo
相撲
Traditional Japanese martial art based on combat between two wrestlers in a circular ring.
Style and Fashion
Geta (下駄)
Japanese wooden sandals with a raised base, worn with yukata or kimono.
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Geta
下駄
Japanese wooden sandals with a raised base, worn with yukata or kimono.
Yukata (浴衣)
Light summer kimono worn at festivals, hot springs, or casual occasions.
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Yukata
浴衣
Light summer kimono worn at festivals, hot springs, or casual occasions.
Systems and Governance
Yamato (大和)
Ancient name of the region and people that gave rise to the Japanese nation.
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Yamato
大和
Ancient name of the region and people that gave rise to the Japanese nation.
Traditional Culture
Haiku (俳句)
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
Learn more
Haiku
俳句
Short Japanese poem in three lines, capturing nature and the present moment.
Hanami (花見)
Japanese tradition of observing cherry blossom blooming in spring.
Learn moreHanami
花見
Japanese tradition of observing cherry blossom blooming in spring.
Komainu (狛犬)
Pair of lion-like statues guarding the entrance to Shinto shrines.
Learn more
Komainu
狛犬
Pair of lion-like statues guarding the entrance to Shinto shrines.
Maiko (舞妓)
Japanese apprentice geisha, recognizable by her elaborate hairstyle and vibrant kimono.
Learn more
Maiko
舞妓
Japanese apprentice geisha, recognizable by her elaborate hairstyle and vibrant kimono.
Matsuri (祭り)
Traditional Japanese festivals celebrating deities, seasons, or local communities.
Learn moreMatsuri
祭り
Traditional Japanese festivals celebrating deities, seasons, or local communities.
Mikoshi (神輿)
Portable shrine used in Japanese festivals to carry the shrine’s deity.
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Mikoshi
神輿
Portable shrine used in Japanese festivals to carry the shrine’s deity.
Ryokan (旅館)
Traditional Japanese inn with tatami, futon and omotenashi-style hospitality.
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Ryokan
旅館
Traditional Japanese inn with tatami, futon and omotenashi-style hospitality.
Tanabata (七夕)
Japanese Star Festival celebrating the love between Orihime and Hikoboshi with decorations and wishes written on paper strips.
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Tanabata
七夕
Japanese Star Festival celebrating the love between Orihime and Hikoboshi with decorations and wishes written on paper strips.
Tengu (天狗)
Legendary Japanese creature, part spirit, part demon, known for its long nose and supernatural powers.
Learn more
Tengu
天狗
Legendary Japanese creature, part spirit, part demon, known for its long nose and supernatural powers.
Yamato (大和)
Ancient name of the region and people that gave rise to the Japanese nation.
Learn moreYamato
大和
Ancient name of the region and people that gave rise to the Japanese nation.