An A to Z of Japanese English Part Two- D

Only had time for the one letter this time, but more coming next time I’m too uninspired to actually do more than a list, so shouldn’t be long…

danball (danboru) – cardboard. Not sure why this is seen as a foreign word as don’t think it actually comes from another language

deck (dekki) – plimsolls

decoration cake (dekoreishon keiki) – a fancy cake??

denomi ( short for denomination) – currency devaluation

deep kiss (diipu kisu) – French kiss

defla (defura) – short for deflation, and always used in place of the longer expression (which most Japanese don’t know exists)

delivery health (deriburi herusu) – prozzie coming to your house. The short form deri heri is also used

dema (short for the German word demagogie) – false rumour (not just used to talk about politicians)

depart (depaato) – short for department store, and the full expression is never used. Not used for departments of a company.

design hotel (desain hoteru) – a slightly better love hotel, so very different from the boutique hotel that this expression might make you think of

dessin (desan- from the French for drawing) – rough sketch

Deutsch (doitsu- from German)- both Germany and German

dia (daiya, short for diagram) – railroad timetable

dia (daiya) – short for diamond, and used much more than the full word

diet (daietto) – only for dieting, not more generally for what you eat and drink

dining kitchen (dainingu kitchin) – a combined kitchen and dining room (usually a sign of a small flat rather of modern open plan design)

DM (dii emu, short for direct mail) – junk mail

doctor stop (dokutaa sutoppu) – a doctor banning you from doing something like smoking and drinking

dollar shock (doru shokku) – the time when the yen was suddenly revalued against the dollar, being the second big shock to the economy after the oil shock and ultimately leading to the Japanese spending spree in America during the bubble years

door boy (doa boi) – doorman

drama (dorama) – television or radio play, often something like a soap opera but usually not lasting years like soap operas in many countries

dressing (doresingu) – only salad dressing, not getting dressed or bandage

dry curry (dorai karee) – a bit like a spicy risotto

dubbing (dobingu) – recording

dump car (dampu kaa) – dump truck

Part One (A to C) is here, and if you are particularly interested in Japan, have a look at my other two much neglected but recently updated blogs:

JapanExplained

QuoteJapan

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