I thought it would be fun to have this because wasei eigo is super interesting!
For anyone new to the idea, wasei eigo is English words that were adapted into the Japanese language but don’t carry the same meaning as the English words themselves.
I’ll start:
バーコードヘア
2 Likes
smarcks:
バーコードヘア
Having striped hair? Like death the kid?
Edit: close!
My word: ドンマイ! (maybe too easy, but I like it)
3 Likes
I know the answer to yours so I’ll leave it to someone else. Also, that’s not quite it!
1 Like
dont mind~
Heres a hard one :3
ヘルスメーター
2 Likes
emin
August 17, 2018, 7:37am
5
Maybe when a semi bald person combs the remaining hair over the spot creating a barcode look?
ドンマイ is easy. Don’t mind.
Next word: ホイール
1 Like
Nope. That’s not what ドンマイ means.
1 Like
Yes, you’re right! It’s a combover!
The next one is ムーディ (and I’ll save yours for someone else since I know that one)
emin
August 17, 2018, 7:40am
9
It comes from Don’t mind. And the jisho says it means Never mind or Its OK. So what is “Don’t mind” suppose to mean if not the same?
1 Like
What dictionary are you using exactly?
1 Like
ドンマイ is like “it’s okay”, or “pay it no mind”. Most people (including me at one point) make the mistake of thinking it means “I don’t mind, go ahead”…which it doesn’t.
3 Likes
emin
August 17, 2018, 7:43am
12
I meant “Don’t mind it” not “I don’t mind.”
3 Likes
I’m using my experience of using it incorrectly in Japan and being corrected by Japanese friends on the actual meaning.
emin
August 17, 2018, 7:45am
14
The nuances are subtle, though I can see why you said it’s wrong.
My b then! I saw your reply and if that’s what you meant, you were right!
1 Like
Hmm I’m not sure if this is right but paper towel dispenser?
Ah, no . It is quite different.
Leebo
August 17, 2018, 8:21am
19
Yeah, we don’t really say “don’t mind” the way they use ドンマイ, as consolation to another person.
Oh crap, I forgot that one! But since I looked it up, I’ll let someone else answer!
1 Like