New Japanese Words

Language is one of the many things that is constantly evolving. Here in America, the news of Webster adding new words into their dictionary is always a news worthy event.

In Japan it is no different. Kojien has adopted a “few” new words into their dictionary. This is the first time in nearly a decade that Kojien has added new words. Many of them are technology related. They started with a list of over 100,000 words, but have narrowed it down to just 10,000 (still a crazy number). One of the surprises that didn’t make the cut was the ever so popular Otaku word: Moe (萌え).

A few to make it in:

• Blog – burogu – ブログ
• 1SEG – wansegu – ワンセグ – The TV broadcast service for mobile phones
• Cybermall – saibamoru – サイバーモール – Online stores that sell everything
• Nurse – kangoshi – 看護師 – A nursing professional
• Financial Support Association – enjokosai – 援助交際 – Schoolgirls “dating” older men for money

Check out the Japan Times for a longer list of words from many different categories.