
“Wasei Eigo”, or “English words created in Japan”, can leave native English speakers baffled — but what about Korean speakers?
Dave, from The World of Dave YouTube channel, has released a new video this week giving us the lowdown on the differences between English words created in Korea, also known as “Konglish”, and English words created in Japan, also known as “Wasei Eigo”. The YouTuber has made a ton of similar language videos, including one we looked at last month, and this time he’s joined by Korean Jaein and Japanese Erina to demonstrate their pronunciation of some more English words as interpreted in their native languages.
This entertaining video takes a very simple concept and makes it highly entertaining as the trio examines the differences between the way English words are spoken in Korean and Japanese mixed in with some good personalities and a few funny Korean sound effects.
Given that two out of the three are fluent in Korean, poor Erina seems to take the brunt of most jokes – or get laughed at for her Japanese-English pronunciations. There is one point in the video, however, where Erina does get some of her own licks in when she gets slightly annoyed with Dave for mispronouncing “fried potato” (Japanese English for “french fries”).
▼ Erina getting angry at Dave
Some of the words discussed in the video include “morning call”, “air-conditioner”, “steak”, “apartment”, “bathroom/toilet”, “chapstick”, “mug”, “coffee”, “one”, “arcade”, and “juice”.
It’s interesting to see how Dave and Jaein are surprised that juice (jyuusu) in Japanese represents not only fruit and vegetable juice but also soda drinks — an oddity in the Japanese language that made our top 10 most irritating Japanese borrowed words (part 2).
If you would like to see more of Dave’s videos, be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel, The World of Dave.
Source: YouTube/TheWorldofDave
Images: YouTube/TheWorldofDave




Japanese, Korean, and Chinese speakers pronounce English words in their native languages 【Video】
An introduction to the fun world of wasei eigo or Japanese-made English 【Video】
Video compares the Japanese, Korean, and American Pokémon theme songs and Pokéraps 【Video】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Brand-new theme park in Japan charges foreign tourists 25 percent more than locals for tickets
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
New Tokyo vending machine has nothing but apple juice, but all different kinds from Japan’s north
Do Tokyo natives get lost in Shinjuku and Shibuya too? We ask our in-office Tokyo-ites
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Sakura Ride Plan: A new way to see the best cherry blossom sites in Tokyo
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
The top 9 sakura cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan that you should know about
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
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】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 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】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
Leave a Reply