Learning Japanese can sometimes feel like one of those spot-the-difference puzzles. At first, the two pictures seem identical. But once you look closer, you’ll find some surprises: a missing hat, eyes looking in a different direction… or in our case, a familiar-looking word that means something completely different.
Japanese has no shortage of loanwords, but knowing the word in the language it’s borrowed from doesn’t always guarantee you can guess its meaning in Japanese! Here are six words whose meanings have taken a surprising turn!
カンニング (kanningu) 🤫📝
Meaning: cheating (on a test)
Source: English cunning
Japanese equivalent: 不正行為 (fusei koui, improper conduct)
In modern English, cunning refers to cleverness, but often in a slightly sneaky way. In Japanese, however, カンニング specifically means cheating on an exam—using cleverness to score well, but dishonestly.
シール (shiiru) 💟⭐
Meaning: stickers
Source: English seal
Japanese equivalent: none
シール (shiiru) means decorative or collectible stickers, like the ones you might have hoarded in elementary school. Japanese distinguishes them from functional adhesives, which are called ラベル (raberu, label).
クレーム (kureemu) 🤬
Meaning: complaint
Source: English claim
Japanese equivalents: 苦情 (kujoo; for formal complaints), 文句 (monku; for private grumbling), and 不満 (fuman; for general dissatisfaction)
In English, a claim is usually an official request for something you believe you are owed. In Japanese, クレーム (kureemu) isn’t quite as formal and refers to complaints in customer service contexts.
フライドポテト (furaido poteto) 🍟
Meaning: french fries
Source: English fried potatoes
Japanese equivalent: none
“Fried potatoes” sounds simple enough, right? Maybe thinly sliced potatoes fried in a pan or deep-fried potato chips? Nope. In Japan, フライドポテト (furaido poteto) are actually french fries! In addition to フライドポテト, you’ll also find plenty other potato-based dishes in Japan (many of them fried)!
ペンション (pennshon) 🏩
Meaning: guesthouse
Source: French pension
Japanese equivalent: 民宿 (minshuku) or 旅館 (ryokan)
A ペンション (pennshon) is a Western-style inn. Think beds instead of futons, private bathrooms instead of shared, and Western food choices for dinner and breakfast. This type of accommodation is typically cheaper than resorts or hotels and was historically associated with pensioners.
サービス (saabisu) 🆓🎁
Meaning: free (item)
Source: English (customer) service
Japanese equivalent: おまけ (omake）
In English, customer service is the whole customer experience, from helpful staff to the quality of work done. In Japanese, サービス (saabisu) most often means freebies or special treatment. The phrase サービスです (saabisu desu) means “It’s on the house,” and a ドリンクサービス (dorinku saabisu, drink service) implies free drinks.
Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper
These examples show how creative and playful language is, and how tightly it’s woven into culture. So keep an open mind and enjoy the little surprises in your language learning journey. Every “difference” you spot brings you closer to understanding Japanese vocabulary and the cultural ideas behind it!