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Question to Teacher: Will I sound weird if I don't use katakana words?
Course 3 Lesson 2: みかみせんせい (Additional Vocabulary)

Dandere

Post Date: 2011-11-16 21:48:20

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2011 Jun 26

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Will I sound strange in Japan if I don't use katakana words? For example, saying ryouriten instead of resutoran, mimiwa instead of iyaringu, juutan instead of kaapetto?

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JFZ_George

Post Date: 2011-11-30 17:19:36

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1997 Aug 25

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Yes! Japanese use Katakana words every day. Foreign origin words are a huge part of Japanese language.

For example, the following words have no currently used Japanese version of the word:

1. TV テレビ
2. Computer コンピューター
3. Laptop ノートパソコン
4. Smart Phone スマートフォーン
5. Sunglasses サングラス
6. Electrical outlet コンセント

There are many more!

Sure, you can do your best to use only native Japanese words but don't be surprised if you are looked at strangely.

Imagine if you tried to only use "native" English words when speaking with your friends:

1. Do you guys want to go to "singing by yourself" box so we can sing?

2. I love eating "raw fish" at the "raw fish" restaurant near my house.

I do a lot of interpreting work and I honestly do not like saying any katakana words. But even when I know the Japanese word (when they exist) I am many times told that the katakana version is preferred because it's what they are used to hearing.

I have even had some of my interpreting clients ask me what the word I was saying meant. This happens when I am using words that an older engineer has taught me and I then use that word with a younger engineer.

So... there is no way to avoid them. The good news is you can easily remember these words.