What are some Japanese words that confuse foreigners and that foreigners can't understand?

What are some Japanese words that confuse foreigners and that foreigners can't understand?

There are some Japanese words that foreigners find confusing or cannot understand.

The most common ones are as follows:

• Long text
• Homophones
• Onomatopoeia
• Sentences without a subject or object
• Expressions where the answer is unclear
• Honorific and humble language
• informal speech
• Foreign words and Japanese English (katakana)
• Abbreviations
• dialect
• Double Negative

The following will explain in detail with examples.

[Example sentences] Japanese that confuses foreigners/Japanese that foreigners cannot understand

We will explain, with examples, Japanese words that confuse foreigners and Japanese words that foreigners cannot understand.

Long text

If a sentence is too long or contains too much information, it is difficult to understand.
Remove unnecessary information and keep sentences short.

【example】

現場で予定外の不具合が見つかったので修正が必要になり、その影響で14:00に予定されていた材料の搬入時間も変更しなければなりません。
→現場で配管に不具合が見つかりました。その配管の修理が必要です。材料の搬入は、配管の修理が終わってからやります。

Homophones

"機会（KIKAI） "and"機械（KIKAI）",性格（SEIKAKU） "and"正確（SEIKAKU） Words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings based on the kanji, such as "," are called homonyms.
This is a word that is difficult for foreigners to understand just by changing the placement of the accent.

When you can express something in different words, it makes it easier to understand if you rephrase it.

【example】

また次の機会に、一緒に食事をしましょう。
→次に会うときには、一緒に食事をしましょう。

Onomatopoeia

"ずきずき（ZUKIZUKI）" "がんがん（GANGAN）" "バタバタ（BATABATA）Words that express sounds or states, such as "," are called onomatopoeias.

For example, the sound of a dog barking is called "ワンワン（WANWAN）" but in English it is "バウワウ（BOWWOW）" is expressed as "

Each language has its own unique onomatopoeia, so it is easier to understand if you don't use onomatopoeia.

【example】

頭がずきずきする。
→頭が痛いです。

However, knowing onomatopoeias to express pain can be useful in case of an emergency.
Once you get used to Japanese, it would be a good idea to have them remember it.

You can find more information about expressing pain here.
Learn how to express pain in Japanese! How to convey pain effectively

Also, if a foreigner complains of pain, it will be easier to assess the situation if you ask them to express their pain level in numbers.
Try asking questions such as, "Please rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10."

Sentences without a subject or object

Foreigners have difficulty understanding sentences that do not have a consistent subject, predicate, and object.

【example】

How about tonight? (gestures taking a drink)
Would you like to go for dinner with me tonight?

Expressions where the answer is unclear

Ambiguous expressions that do not clearly indicate a YES or NO will not get the message across.

【example】

結構です。
→いりません。

【example】

今度にしましょう。(In response to an invitation to go to lunch together today)
→今日は、私は行けません。

Honorific and humble language

"していらっしゃる" and other honorifics,申し上げます" and other humble expressions are difficult for foreigners.

【example】

お客様がいらっしゃいます。
→お客様が来ます。

informal speech

In fact, informal speech is also a form of Japanese that is difficult for foreigners to understand.

When foreigners learn Japanese, they are often conscious of the ending of a sentence being "です（desu）" "ます（masu）", so it would be good to use expressions that match this.

【example】

ハンマー持ってきて。
→ハンマーを持ってきてください。

Foreign words and Japanese English (katakana)

Foreign words written in katakana are the Japanese pronunciation of words that came from abroad.

For example, the "パン（PAN）" is a commonly used phrase, but since it is originally Portuguese, it may not be understood by English speakers.
For English-speaking people, "パン=調理器具のフライパン" This could be conveyed as "

Even words of English origin like "コーヒー（KŌHĪ）" is pronounced " in English.カフェ（KAFE）", so it may not be conveyed correctly in katakana.

Also, Japanese-English words, which are also written in katakana, are words that Japanese people have created in the style of English by interpreting the meanings and nuances of English words.
As a result, there are many things that cannot be understood by foreigners.

【example】

• Foreign words:パン、コーヒー、アルバイト、コップ etc.
• Japanese English:ホチキス（stapler）、ノートパソコン（laptop） etc.

Abbreviations

Abbreviations that omit Japanese words make it difficult to understand the original word, so it is best to use the full name.

【example】

有給
→有給休暇

Additionally, in Japan, there are many abbreviations of words that originate from English, and there are many cases where foreigners cannot understand them.

【example】

パソコン（personal computer）、リモコン（remote control）、ファミレス（family restaurant）

dialect

For foreigners who learn Japanese using standard Japanese, dialects are difficult because the words themselves change.

【example】

おらん。
→人がいません。

Double Negative

Double expressions, which are used when you want to convey a positive meaning by repeating negative words, or when you want to convey an ambiguous positive statement, can be difficult, so we will convert them into simpler words and sentences.

【example】

行かないわけではない。
→行きます。

Key points for making Japanese easy for foreigners to understand

There are some points to keep in mind when making Japanese easy for foreigners to understand.

If you keep the following points in mind, it will be easier for foreigners to understand.

• Use gestures
• The conclusion comes first
• Speak at a moderate speed while checking the other person's reaction
• Communicate in short sentences
• Don't use ambiguous expressions, state clearly

If you are communicating verbally, check how your message is getting across by observing the foreigner's reaction.
Using gestures will also help improve comprehension.

When communicating in written Japanese, be sure to keep the following points in mind:

• Don't use a lot of kanji
• Add furigana to kanji
• Actively include pictures, photographs, and diagrams

Kanji characters are difficult for foreigners, so include furigana.
Additionally, comprehension is enhanced by incorporating visual information such as pictures and photographs.

It may seem difficult, but since it is communication between people, it is important to actively engage in conversation.

In Japan, there is something called "easy Japanese" that is easy for foreigners to understand.
It is mainly used for disaster information and government guidance, and is useful for disseminating information to foreigners who are not fluent in Japanese.

For more information on easy Japanese, please see here for more details.
やさしい日本語とは？例文や生まれた経緯などを紹介

Summary: There are many Japanese words that confuse foreigners and cannot be understood by foreigners

There are many expressions in the Japanese language that Japanese people use on a daily basis that are difficult for foreigners to understand.

In particular, Japanese people often do not give clear conclusions or give vague answers instead of giving concise answers, which can be difficult for foreigners to understand.

Japanese that is easy for foreigners to understand is one that has well-defined grammar, such as subject and predicate, andです（desu）" "ます（masu）This is a polite sentence ending with ".
Also, many foreign words and Japanese-made English words written in katakana are unique to Japan, so be careful to avoid using them where possible.

"ずきずき（ZUKIZUKI）Onomatopoeias such as "" are also Japanese words that are difficult for foreigners to understand.
However, since these words are easy to use to express states and feelings, it may be a good idea to have them memorize them gradually.

In order to make it easier for foreigners to understand, it is important to incorporate gestures and other such techniques.
As you communicate, try to find ways of speaking and expressions that suit the foreigner.

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