If you live in Asia, you’re probably used to seeing Engrish phrases everywhere. When you’ve grown up reading and writing in kanji, hiragana, etc., the “foreign-ness” of English writing and phrases adds an air of mystery and style. But it’s exactly the same in the west too—people will buy all kinds of products with kanji characters written on them whether or not they know what they mean.
Here are some examples of decked-out cars with random, nonsensical Japanese phrases on them that have Japanese netizens laughing their socks off over.
Earlier this week, Twitter user @SUZUKAS15 posted a few photos from foreign car shows of some colorfully decorated cars sporting a number of logos and stickers affixed by their drivers. Among the flair are random Japanese phrases which really don’t have any business being on cars, but are still giving Japanese Twitter-users a good laugh.
https://twitter.com/SUZUKAS15/status/666563573523419137▼ “Super Kawaii”
Okay, so this first one isn’t that strange, just a bit out of place on these rather un-kawaii (cute) cars!
▼ フロントガラス- furonto garasu
An example of wasei-eigo, or a Japanese word taken from English terms, “front glass” is what the Japanese call the windshield. At least this driver labeled the car part correctly!
▼くたばれ- kutabare.
Kutabare is a rather rough slang term, used along the same lines as “f*** you!”, “shove it”, “eat sh**”, etc. Them’s fightin’ words!
▼ ハムサンド- hamu sando
This last one is most definitely our favorite, because nothing says “check out my cool car bro” like a ham sand(wich)!
Commenters are really enjoying the randomness as much as we are:
“Their sense of quality is really shining through.”
“I love this, lol.”
“Ham sandwich loooool! Too cool!”
“I can understand kutabare and hamusando, but furonto garasu just seems kinda lonely, lol.”
With things like clothes and car decals, having random nonsense Japanese phrases on it isn’t a huge deal, as those items aren’t permanent. But if you’re deciding to get a tattoo, you might want to be extra careful and make absolutely sure you know what you’re getting inked onto you!
Source: Twitter/@SUZUKAS15

Man arrested in Tokyo after allegedly luring foreign tourists into shady Kabukicho establishments
Japanese recipe for Tempura Twinkies takes America’s favourite snack to a whole new level
7-Eleven Japan reimagines the fruit sando with new chocolate bread version
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Man arrested in Tokyo after allegedly luring foreign tourists into shady Kabukicho establishments
Japanese recipe for Tempura Twinkies takes America’s favourite snack to a whole new level
7-Eleven Japan reimagines the fruit sando with new chocolate bread version
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Studio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]
Burger King Japan goes viral for its new Big Mouth Dirty, but is it really worth the hype?
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Shizuoka police inspector punished for playing crane games on duty
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]
Burger King Japan goes viral for its new Big Mouth Dirty, but is it really worth the hype?
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Shizuoka police inspector punished for playing crane games on duty
Shake Shack has five regional shakes hiding on the menu in Japan, and here’s how to find them
Enoshima’s magical night lantern festival is back this summer with spectacular views
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Survey shows foreigners’ desire to work in Japan long-term dropping, but that’s not the whole story
Mister Donut becomes “Mrs. Donut” for sweet new Mrs. Green Apple collaboration
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
Furby is now a sexy anime girl figure[Photos]
Suntanned Hello Kitty steals the show in Japanese magazine’s Sanrio freebies
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order