WaseiGo - Fake English Words

Konsento means an outlet

Some Japanese words sound familiar but mean something you might not expect. WaseiGo helps you learn 1,000 Japanese loanwords and expressions through watercolor illustrations, short conversations and quizzes. The collection includes words from English and other languages.

READ THE SCENE
Follow Kenta and Emma's conversations to see how the words are used and where meanings differ. Furigana reading aids accompany the Japanese, and English translations are available.

HEAR THE JAPANESE
Listen to word pronunciations and dialogue. Tap a line's play button to hear it again, or use Play All for the whole conversation. Audio is in Japanese; English translations are shown as text.

QUIZ AND REVIEW
Test your understanding with Meaning, Reverse or Illustration quizzes. After each quiz, review your answers and explanations, starting with the questions you missed. Track your progress as you practice.

DISCOVER THE ORIGINS
Explanations and short notes explore where the words came from. Japanese learners can discover what they mean in Japan, while English learners can find the corresponding English expressions. Even if you know both languages well, some of the stories may surprise you.

START WITH 50 FREE WORDS
Try illustrated conversations, audio and quizzes with 50 words, without creating an account. A one-time Premium purchase unlocks the full collection of 1,000 words. No subscription and no ads.