Cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English 2022

Looking for some cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English? Well check out these Japanese words that are extremely popular and fun to use below. 

I started gallivanting through the streets of Japan many years ago and over the years, I have come to fall in love with all things Japanese. 

The culture, the history, the people. There is nothing that I do not love about this beautiful country. I have never come across a country that I have wanted to be a part of more than Japan. 

So in my attempt to blend in with the Japanese people, I began teaching myself to speak the local dialect. To say that it was an absolute disaster at the beginning would be an understatement.

What is the coolest Japanese word that doesn’t exist in English?

The coolest Japanese word that doesn’t exist in English is Kawaii. Kawaii is the Japanese term to describe something cute. It was first used in reference to the big eyes in Japanese cartoons. While the word kawaii is being used across the globe to call something cute, the Japanese have a more cultural focus and use it as a reflection on what is pure and harmless. 

I tried to incorporate “fancy words” that I heard around me into my speech without fully knowing the meaning of the words (and you can imagine how that went). 

It wasn’t until a Japanese friend of mine intervened did I understand that there are some Japanese words that exist that cannot be translated into English. 

I honestly wish that I had this piece of information a little bit sooner. It would have saved me many embarrassing conversations. 

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For anyone looking to blend in with the local population in Japan, I have put together a list of cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English, but will enhance the quality of your conversation in Japanese.

Cool Japanese Words That Don’t Exist In English 

Yugen

Yugen is used to describe the emotional response that comes with recognition of the profoundness of the universe. It is the mysterious and intense sense of the beauty of the universe and the melancholy of human suffering. 

For example, when you ponder over how many cells have come together to make up our body or how vast the universe is. It’s one of the very cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Shinrin Yoku

When translated in a literal sense, Shinrin yoku means “forest bath”. The Japanese use it to describe the experience of visiting a forest to better your health and relax. 

Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi has gained much popularity in the Western world and is now being used in the English language as well! Wabi Sabi is definitely amongst the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English

The Japanese use wabi sabi when finding beauty in imperfections or simplicity. Some also use it to describe something that is simple but brings them calmness and a good feeling. 

The author David Watts Barton very aptly wrote while describing wabi sabi “both life and art are beautiful not because they are perfect and eternal, but because they are imperfect and fleeting.” 

Mono No Aware

This phrase is quite similar to wabi sabi. It is used to describe the appreciation of beauty in things when they are present and the melancholy that follows when they are gone. It’s a reference to the phrase that nothing lasts forever. 

Natsukashii

Quite similar to but different from the English word ‘nostalgia’, Natsukashii is used often in the Japanese language. The Japanese use it to describe the pleasant feelings of memories returning and creating a warm feeling within. 

Shoganai

Shoganai is used in Japanese to say that it cannot be helped. It is not a negative or discouraging phrase. Rather it means that something is out of the person’s control. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

It is a way of helping people believe that if something doesn’t go the way they initially planned, it isn’t their fault since it was not in their control. 

Kintsuki or Kintsukuroi

Kintrsuki or Kintsukuroi is a Japanese artform where the artist mends broken pieces of pottery by filling in the cracks with silver or gold. 

This originates from the Japanese belief that even in brokenness, something beautiful can exist and the broken piece is more beautiful after being broken and mended.

Otsukaresama

The Japanese people are known for being hardworking. So it is no surprise that there is a word like Otsukaresama. When translated literally, it is something like saying “you’re tired”. 

The Japanese use this to show their appreciation and gratitude for someone’s hard work. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Itadakimasu

Food and the act of eating holds much importance in Japanese culture. It is almost sacred. Itadakimasu is used just before eating and means “I will eat this”. 

The Japanese use this as a sign of respect and gratitude for the person who has made the food and served it, the food, nature, and anything else related to the food and eating it. 

Komorebi

This is the Japanese word for the sunlight seen streaming through the little spaces in between leaves on trees. Of course the Japanese came up with a word that captures this beautiful moment. 

Kuidaore

‘Kui’ refers to eating and ‘daoreru’ means to be ruined or go bankrupt. The term kuidaore is used to refer to extravagant desire for good food and drink. 

It is used to describe lavishing on food and is often used to describe the Dotonbori district of Osaka where there are a number of prominent restaurants. 

Tsundoku

This one is for people like me. Tsundoku is used to refer to people who hoard books but leave them unread. It comes from the words tsumu which means to pile up and doku which means to read. 

Nekojita

It literally translates to ‘cat tongue’. Nekojita is often used to refer to people who are sensitive to hot foods and drinks. 

The term probably originated from the story of the cat who burned his tongue while trying to sip on hot milk. Nekojita is one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Karoshi

As morbid as it may sound, karoshi means death from overworking. As mentioned earlier, the Japanese people are a very hardworking bunch of people. 

Karoshi is especially used when referring to people who work in the corporate sector and have ungodly working hours, sometimes over a 100 hours of overtime in a month before they die.  

Takane no hana

This is a fun one! This phrase is used to describe a woman who is not easily attainable. The phrase originates from hana which means flower and takane meaning high peak. 

It is a metaphor with reference to the flowers that grow on high peaks and how they are not easily accessible. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Mottainai

Mottainai can be translated to ‘what a waste’ or ‘how wasteful’. It is used when something that is worthy or useful is not being used to its full potential or is being thrown away. For example, this can be used when food is being wasted.

Kogarashi

This is yet another Japanese word to capture a beautiful moment in nature. Kogarashi is used to refer to the cold winds that are an indication of the winter season coming in. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Ichariba Chode

The Japanese people are a friendly lot. They are known for their respect shown to other individuals and their politeness. Ichariba chode is a phrase that means to show friendliness to a stranger. It can be translated to ‘from strangers to brothers or family’.

Kyouka Suigetsu

This Japanese phrase is a tough one and cannot be translated into English. But quite loosely, it means something that you can see but can’t touch or an emotion that you cannot put into words. 

Burekou

This Japanese word, when said, sounds a lot like ‘break’ in English. It is used to tell someone to break loose from the shackles of the real world and just be yourself. 

It is used to relieve someone from what they are told to be without consequences. Burekou is one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Moodii

It may sound like the English word moody but it means something totally different. In the Japanese dictionary, moodii means to have a good atmosphere, sexy or romantic. 

A moodii na hito or a moody person in Japanese is actually someone who has a sexy and romantic vibe to them. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Ojamashimasu

The Japanese are polite and respectful people. This word is used to excuse yourself for intruding. It can be used when entering someone’s house. It is almost equivalent to the English phrase ‘excuse me’. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Kawaii

Kawaii is the Japanese term to describe something cute. It was first used in reference to the big eyes in Japanese cartoons. 

While the word kawaii is being used across the globe to call something cute, the Japanese have a more cultural focus and use it as a reflection on what is pure and harmless. It’s one of the cool Japanese words that don’t exist in English.

Cool Japanese words that do not exist in English: FAQs: