3 definitions by Julian G.
English speech or writing peppered with Japanese words, outside of an explicitly Japanese or academic context. Typically the Japanese words used will be limited to only the most common words and phrases found in anime that have become more-or-less common parlance among otaku.
Japanglish is distinguished from the simple use of Japanese-specific vocabulary by its frivolity: it is using Japanese words for the sake of saying something in Japanese, even if it is only a single word in an English sentence. Contrary to the speakers' intention, which is to associate themselves with Japan and all that they connect with it, Japanglish is more often than not a strong indicator of poor-to-nonexistent comprehension of the Japanese language, as those competent in Japanese will usually refrain from using Japanese terms except when speaking Japanese or when dictated by necessity.
Japanglish is stereotypical of wapanese, though its speakers may simply be overzealous anime fanboys or fangirls.
ALTERNATELY:
English as spoken by a native Japanese speaker, characterized by some or all of the following: inversion (or non-distinction) of "r" and "l" sounds, lack (or inversion) of definite and indefinite articles, non-agreement of number and gender, use of loanwords from English in their Japanese sense (e.g. "mansion" for "condo"), and poor word choice. It may not necessarily be "broken" English, but it is not spoken with complete fluency or comprehension, either. This sense is far less common in contemporary slang.
Japanglish is distinguished from the simple use of Japanese-specific vocabulary by its frivolity: it is using Japanese words for the sake of saying something in Japanese, even if it is only a single word in an English sentence. Contrary to the speakers' intention, which is to associate themselves with Japan and all that they connect with it, Japanglish is more often than not a strong indicator of poor-to-nonexistent comprehension of the Japanese language, as those competent in Japanese will usually refrain from using Japanese terms except when speaking Japanese or when dictated by necessity.
Japanglish is stereotypical of wapanese, though its speakers may simply be overzealous anime fanboys or fangirls.
ALTERNATELY:
English as spoken by a native Japanese speaker, characterized by some or all of the following: inversion (or non-distinction) of "r" and "l" sounds, lack (or inversion) of definite and indefinite articles, non-agreement of number and gender, use of loanwords from English in their Japanese sense (e.g. "mansion" for "condo"), and poor word choice. It may not necessarily be "broken" English, but it is not spoken with complete fluency or comprehension, either. This sense is far less common in contemporary slang.
"Did you see that fangirl simply fawning over the cosplayer back there? She glomped him and squealed that he was "sooooooo kawaii" along with other random Japanglish nonsense."
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"Our new business partners tried to humor us by speaking our language, but their Japanglish was so broken that we couldn't make heads or tails of what they were trying to say."
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"Our new business partners tried to humor us by speaking our language, but their Japanglish was so broken that we couldn't make heads or tails of what they were trying to say."
by Julian G. July 14, 2006
A Japanese word whose primary meaning is "fool," "idiot," "moron," "stupid person," etc. It is roughly synonymous with the word "aho," although the severity of the two words differs: in western Japan (including Osaka), "aho" is gentler and can be used affectionately or as gentle ribbing, while "baka" is a serious insult; in eastern Japan (including Tokyo), the situation is exactly the reverse.
"Baka" is a common element of Japanglish, perhaps because its meaning and the emphasis given in speech make it easy to pick out in anime. "Aho" is less common.
"Baka" is a common element of Japanglish, perhaps because its meaning and the emphasis given in speech make it easy to pick out in anime. "Aho" is less common.
(Actual Japanese usage):
"Nani, baka na koto yuuten nen?"
("What kinda goddamn idiocy are you spouting?")
(Japanglish usage):
"Amy you baka! I wanted the hentai t-shirt, not the yaoi one!"
"Nani, baka na koto yuuten nen?"
("What kinda goddamn idiocy are you spouting?")
(Japanglish usage):
"Amy you baka! I wanted the hentai t-shirt, not the yaoi one!"
by Julian G. July 14, 2006
A Japanese word that is often used as a put-down in its original context, being roughly equivalent in meaning to "shrimp," "runt," "squirt," "dwarf," "midget," or "small-fry."
In slang, however, it occasionally takes on aspects of cuteness, particularly when the individual in question is young, female, and already considered "cute" by the speaker. It can also be used as shorthand for a drawing style of Japanese origin more properly known as super deformed (SD).
Its usage in English (or rather, Japanglish) ignores the word's derogatory context, and focuses on the "cute" meaning as it often appears in anime and manga, and its exclusive usage in this context is a good sign that the speaker does not, in fact, know how to speak Japanese.
In slang, however, it occasionally takes on aspects of cuteness, particularly when the individual in question is young, female, and already considered "cute" by the speaker. It can also be used as shorthand for a drawing style of Japanese origin more properly known as super deformed (SD).
Its usage in English (or rather, Japanglish) ignores the word's derogatory context, and focuses on the "cute" meaning as it often appears in anime and manga, and its exclusive usage in this context is a good sign that the speaker does not, in fact, know how to speak Japanese.
(Speaker A): "Why would TokyoPop go and change the title of 'Karin' to 'Chibi Vampire'? There's nothing 'chibi' about her."
(Speaker B): "It's marketing, man. All the fangirls think 'chibi' is synonymous with 'cute'."
(Speaker B): "It's marketing, man. All the fangirls think 'chibi' is synonymous with 'cute'."
by Julian G. July 14, 2006