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Awkward Language Faux Pas You Didn’t Know

By on May 13, 2018

There are many things Japan does accurately better than anywhere else from train arrival and departure times to timepiece precision.  Ironically, language translation is not one of them.

Loan words derived from the English language have found its way into the Japanese vocabulary known as wasei-eigo (Japanized English). Wasei-eigo or false friends are not used in the same way as in English. For example, a stroller is called a ‘baby car’ in wasei-eigo. A mansion is simply a concrete style condominium in Japan.

Trying to navigate the Japanese culture and language on a day to day basis, will expose you to a number of words with unfortunate meanings.  So let me introduce you to one embarrassing word used in a business setting.

Recently, the use of the English word “masturbation” came under scrutiny by a concerned netizen.

A high ranking executive made a speech on a visit to the branch office of his company.

He said,

“良いと思っているサービスでも客に認知されなければただの『マスターベーション』だ” Yoi to omotte iru sa-bisu demo kyaku ni ninchi sarenakereba tada no masta-be-shon da.

English translation:    “We may think our customer service is good but without customer validation, it is just masturbation.”

While “masturbation” may be a hilariously awkward metaphor to use in this context, blame its perfectly innocent definition in Japanese – 自己満足 jiko manzoku which means  self-serving.

About Julie Wilson