You know how in English you can take pretty much any noun and make it a verb—derivation for the cunning linguists out there—by adding to to the front? For example, how the search engine Google has become to google, as in, “Why the hell are you asking me? Go google it, you twit!”
Well, you can do the same thing in Japanese by adding –ru or a handful of other suffixes to the end of a word, and some Japanese net users recently had some fun with this by turning country names into some very non-PC verbs.
Have a look at our geopolitical dictionary and see how your country fared.
The following are based on the Japanese pronunciation of countries’ names and were thought up by net users here in Japan. RocketNews24 accepts no responsibility for how badly your country comes off in this list ;-)
Roshiaru: to Russia, to assassinate a political opponent or to consign something to the darkness of oblivion
When I catch the jerk who peed in my coffee, I am going to Russia him good!
Porutugaru: to Portugal, to achieve hegemony, only to have it immediately snatched away by another country
I played that damn game all weekend to get the high score, only to have Jeremy Portugal me five minutes later.
Amerikaru: to America, to claim someone else’s stuff as yours
Hey, don’t even think about Americaing my last piece of pizza.
▼ “Dude, could you not come into my home and Amerika all my food?!”
Rukusenberuku: to Luxembourg, to get smaller
Wow, the cold really does Luxembourg a guy…
Itariaru: to Italy, to catcall a woman
Man, I can’t even walk down the street to buy milk without getting Italied around here.
Shingaporu: to Singapore, to fine someone
I got Singapored for illegal parking.
▼ Seriously!? This is my third Singaporing this week…
Kitachosenru: to North Korea, to act like a prepubescent boy holding a knife and shouting, “Piss me off and you don’t know what I’ll do!”
Don’t pay any attention to John, he’s just North Koreaing. He’s not actually going to do anything.
Kyubaru: to Cuba, to make America angry, see also Benezueraru (to Venezuela)
Their foreign policy is pretty much Cubaing right now.
Offended? Think these definitions are on the nose? Got a great country verb you want to share? Tell us in the comments, Rocketeers!
Images: GAPSY030, Uncle Tony’s NY Pizza, Park It NYC
Source: Kinisoku
The strongest passport in the world! Which nation’s citizens can freely visit the most countries?
Japan reopens to international tourists June 10, no vaccinations required for 98 countries
Country kimono! Project completes set of over 200 designs for every nation at Tokyo Olympics【Pics】
Balance of intelligence factors makes Japan the world’s smartest country, according to this list
Do You Know Where Japan Is? These Turkish Men Aren’t So Sure
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Blue Bottle Coffee now offering traditional sweet bean gelatin cake at stores across Japan
10 vegetarian foods you can order at almost any Japanese restaurant
Japanese women show continuing decline in how much they expect a husband to earn in survey
Beautiful Totoro bento box mixes classic and modern symbols of Japan
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese Men and Women Rank Which Countries They’d Look to for a Mate
18 Japanese words understood around the world
Leave a Reply