Top 100 Most Common Japanese Katakana Words 1-50
Most frequently used 100 common Japanese Katakana words with pronunciation guides and pronunciation assessment
スケジュール
The word 'スケジュール' (sukejuuru) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'schedule'. It refers to a plan or timetable. In English, it is pronounced as 'schedule', while in Japanese, it is pronounced as 'sukejuuru'.
オンライン
The word 'オンライン' (onrain) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'online'. It refers to being connected to or accessible via the internet. In English, it is pronounced similarly to its Japanese counterpart, with slight variations in accent and intonation.
オープン
The word 'オープン' (Ōpun) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word 'open.' It is used in various contexts in Japanese, such as describing something that is open, accessible, or available. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'oːpun,' with a long 'o' sound at the beginning.
エレベーター
The word 'エレベーター' (elevator) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'elevator.' It refers to a mechanical device used for transporting people or goods vertically between floors of a building. In Japanese, it is pronounced as 'e-re-bee-tah' with a distinct rhythm.
メッセージ
The word 'メッセージ' (messēji) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'message'. It refers to a communication or information conveyed from one person to another, often in written or spoken form.
コース
The word 'コース' (kōsu) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'course.' It is used in Japanese to refer to a route, a sequence of events, or a set menu in a restaurant. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'kōsu,' and in English, it is pronounced as 'course.'
サークル
The word 'サークル' (sākuru) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'circle.' It is often used in Japan to refer to social or extracurricular clubs, particularly in schools or universities. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'sākuru,' and it closely resembles the English pronunciation of 'circle' but adapted to fit Japanese phonetics.
カロリー
The word 'カロリー' (karorī) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word 'calorie,' which refers to a unit of energy. It is pronounced as 'kah-roh-ree' in Japanese, with emphasis on the first syllable.
キャリア
The word 'キャリア' (kyaria) originates from Japanese and is derived from the English word 'career.' It is used in Japanese to refer to a career, professional experience, or sometimes a carrier (as in a device or service).
ベーコン
The word 'ベーコン' (bēkon) is the Japanese transliteration of the English word 'bacon,' referring to cured pork meat. It is pronounced as 'bē-kon' in Japanese, with a long 'ē' sound.
トレーニング
The word 'トレーニング' (torēningu) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'training.' It refers to Speaking Practice, exercise, or training activities. It is pronounced as 'toh-ray-nee-ngoo' in Japanese.
オフライン
The word 'オフライン' (offline) is a Japanese loanword derived from English. It refers to a state of being disconnected from the internet or a network. In English, it is pronounced similarly to its original English form, while in Japanese, it follows Japanese phonetic rules.
イメージ
The word 'イメージ' (imeeji) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'image'. It is pronounced as 'ee-meh-jee' in Japanese and refers to a mental picture, impression, or concept.
コーヒー
The word 'コーヒー' (kōhī) originates from Japanese and means 'coffee.' It is pronounced as 'koh-hee' in English and 'kō-hī' in Japanese. The term is derived from the Dutch word 'koffie,' reflecting the historical influence of Dutch trade in Japan.
ゲーム
The word 'ゲーム' (geemu) originates from Japanese and means 'game' in English. It refers to activities involving play, entertainment, or competition, often associated with video games or sports. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'ゲーム' (geemu), and in English, it is adapted as 'game' with a similar meaning.
ビール
The word 'ビール' (Bīru) is the Japanese term for 'beer.' It is borrowed from the Dutch word 'bier' or the German word 'Bier' and refers to the alcoholic beverage made from malted barley, hops, and water. It is pronounced as 'BEE-roo' in English phonetics.
ルール
The word 'ルール' (rūru) originates from the English word 'rule' and is used in Japanese to mean 'rule' or 'regulation.' It is pronounced as 'roo-roo' in Japanese.
ガイド
The word 'ガイド' (gaido) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'guide.' It is used in Japanese to refer to a guide, such as a person who leads or provides information, or a guidebook. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'ga-i-do,' with each syllable pronounced clearly.
リラックス
The word 'リラックス' (rirakkusu) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'relax.' It is used in Japanese to mean 'to relax' or 'to feel at ease.' The pronunciation in English is similar to the Japanese pronunciation, with slight variations in accent.
キャンパス
The word 'キャンパス' (kyanpasu) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'campus,' referring to the grounds or buildings of a university or college. It is pronounced as 'kyan-pah-su' in Japanese.
ポケット
The word 'ポケット' (pocket) originates from English and is used in Japanese to refer to a small pouch or compartment, typically in clothing. It is pronounced as 'po-ke-tto' in Japanese and 'pocket' in English.
エアコン
The word 'エアコン' (eakon) is a Japanese abbreviation for 'air conditioner'. It is pronounced as 'eh-ah-kon' in Japanese and is derived from the English term 'air conditioner'.
テーブル
The word 'テーブル' (te-bu-ru) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'table.' It refers to a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, commonly used for eating, writing, or working.
クラブ
The word 'クラブ' (kurabu) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'club.' It can refer to a social club, a nightclub, or even a sports club, depending on the context. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'ku-ra-bu,' with each syllable pronounced distinctly.
サッカー
The word 'サッカー' (sakkā) is the Japanese term for 'soccer' or 'football'. It is pronounced as 'sahk-kah' in Japanese, with a short pause between the two syllables. The word originates from the English term 'soccer', adapted into Japanese katakana.
ブロッコリー
The word 'ブロッコリー' (broccoli) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word 'broccoli,' referring to the green vegetable. It is pronounced as 'bu-ro-ko-ri' in Japanese and 'broccoli' in English.
デザイン
The word 'デザイン' (dezain) originates from the English word 'design' and is used in Japanese to refer to the concept of design, encompassing both artistic and functional aspects. It is pronounced as 'deh-zah-een' in Japanese.
ストレス
The word 'ストレス' (sutoresu) originates from the English word 'stress' and is used in Japanese to refer to mental or emotional strain. It is pronounced as 'su-to-re-su' in Japanese.
リサイクル
The word 'リサイクル' (risaiakuru) originates from Japanese and is derived from the English word 'recycle.' It refers to the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials. Pronunciation in Japanese is 'ree-sah-ee-koo-roo,' while in English, it is pronounced as 'ree-sai-kuhl.'
スカート
The word 'スカート' (sukāto) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'skirt'. It refers to a garment worn from the waist down, typically by women. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'sukāto', while in English, it is 'skirt'.
ガソリン
The word 'ガソリン' (gasorin) originates from the English word 'gasoline' and refers to fuel used in internal combustion engines. It is pronounced as 'gah-soh-reen' in Japanese.
エスカレーター
The word 'エスカレーター' (esukarētā) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word 'escalator,' referring to a moving staircase used for transporting people between floors. Its pronunciation in Japanese is distinct, and it is derived from English.
アニメ
The word 'アニメ' (anime) originates from Japanese and refers to animated works, typically Japanese animation. It is pronounced as 'AH-nee-may' in English and 'アニメ' (a-ni-me) in Japanese.
カメラ
The word 'カメラ' (kamera) originates from Japanese and means 'camera' in English. It is pronounced as 'ka-me-ra' in Japanese, with each syllable clearly enunciated.
テスト
The word 'テスト' (tesuto) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'test.' It is used in Japanese to mean 'test' or 'exam.' Pronounced as 'te-su-to' in Japanese, with each syllable clearly enunciated.
アルバイト
The word 'アルバイト' (arubaito) is a Japanese term borrowed from the German word 'Arbeit,' meaning 'work.' In Japanese, it specifically refers to part-time jobs. It is pronounced as 'a-ru-bai-to' in Japanese.
レポート
The word 'レポート' (repooto) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'report.' It refers to a written document or presentation, often used in academic or professional contexts. The pronunciation in Japanese is 're-po-o-to,' with each syllable pronounced distinctly.
カット
The word 'カット' (katto) originates from Japanese and is derived from the English word 'cut.' It is used in Japanese to refer to a 'cut' in various contexts, such as a haircut, a film cut, or a reduction. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'katto,' with a double 't' sound for emphasis.
アマゾン
The word 'アマゾン' (Amazon) in Japanese is pronounced as 'a-ma-zo-n' and refers to the Amazon River, the Amazon rainforest, or the company Amazon. In English, it is pronounced as 'ˈæməzən' and has similar meanings.
ジョギング
The word 'ジョギング' (Jogingu) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'jogging,' referring to the activity of running at a slow, steady pace for exercise. It is pronounced as 'jo-gi-n-gu' in Japanese.
エコロジー
The word 'エコロジー' (ecology) originates from Japanese and refers to the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. It is pronounced as 'eh-ko-ro-ji' in Japanese.
チャンス
The word 'チャンス' (chansu) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'chance,' meaning an opportunity or possibility. It is pronounced as 'chah-n-soo' in Japanese.
エネルギー
The word 'エネルギー' (enerugī) is a Japanese term derived from the German word 'Energie,' meaning 'energy.' It refers to power, energy, or vitality. It is pronounced as 'eh-neh-roo-gee' in Japanese.
アパート
The word 'アパート' (apāto) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'apartment.' It refers to a small residential building or an individual apartment unit. The pronunciation in Japanese is 'ah-pah-toh,' while in English, it is pronounced as 'apartment.'
プール
The word 'プール' (pūru) is a Japanese loanword derived from the English word 'pool,' referring to a swimming pool. It is pronounced as 'poo-roo' in Japanese.
メートル
The word 'メートル' (mētoru) is a Japanese transliteration of the French word 'mètre,' meaning 'meter,' a unit of length in the metric system. It is pronounced as 'MAY-toh-roo' in Japanese.
ボタン
The word 'ボタン' (botan) is a Japanese word that can mean 'button' (as in a fastener or a clickable interface element) or 'peony' (a type of flower). It is pronounced as 'bo-tan' in Japanese, with clear syllables.
スポーツ
The word 'スポーツ' (supōtsu) is a Japanese term derived from the English word 'sports,' referring to physical activities or games involving skill and physical exertion. It is pronounced as 'su-po-tsu' in Japanese.
ハードウェア
The word 'ハードウェア' (hādo~uea) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word 'hardware,' referring to the physical components of a computer or electronic system. It is pronounced similarly in both English and Japanese, with slight differences in intonation and syllable emphasis.
ペット
The word 'ペット' (petto) is a Japanese word derived from the English word 'pet,' referring to domesticated animals kept for companionship. It is pronounced as 'pe-tto' in Japanese.