Appendix:False friends between Chinese and Japanese
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This is a list of Chinese-Japanese false friends, that is, word pairs similar in appearance but different in meaning. Translations may be approximated; see linked entries for details.
The Chinese senses are chosen from Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Some archaic or dialectal senses of the Chinese words may resemble the Japanese senses more.
| Chinese word | Chinese word's English translation | Chinese word's Japanese translation | Japanese word | Japanese word's English translation | Japanese word's Chinese translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 愛人／爱人 (àirén) | lover | 恋人 (koibito) | 愛人 (aijin) | mistress | 小三 (xiǎosān) |
| 暗算 (ànsuàn) | to plot against; to scheme | 企む (takuramu) | 暗算 (anzan) | mental arithmetic | 心算 (xīnsuàn) |
| 巴 (bā) | Chiefly used as a suffix for objects that are located below or behind, or as a phonetic character for transliterating foreign names | - | 巴 (tomoe) | tomoe (Japanese heraldic design) | - |
| 拔萃 (bácuì) | to stand out from one's fellows; to be outstanding | 抜群 (batsugun) | 抜粋 (bassui) | excerpt; extract | 摘錄／摘录 (zhāilù) |
| 柏 (bǎi) | cypress | 糸杉 (itosugi) | 柏 (kashiwa) | oak | 橡 (xiàng); 櫟／栎 (lì) |
| 白鳥 (bái niǎo) | white bird | 白い鳥 (shiroi tori) | 白鳥 (hakuchō) | swan | 天鵝／天鹅 (tiān'é) |
| 百姓 (bǎixìng) | civilian | 庶民 (shomin) | 百姓 (hyakushō) | peasant | 農民／农民 (nóngmín) |
| 爆發／爆发 (bàofā) | to erupt; to break out | (to break out) 起こる (okoru); (to erupt) 噴出する (funshutsusuru) |
爆発する (bakuhatsusuru) | to explode | 爆炸 (bàozhà) |
| 背 (bèi) | back (body part) | 背中 (senaka) | 背 (se) | height (of a person) | 身高 (shēngāo) |
| 本 (běn) | classifier for books | 冊 (satsu) | 本 (hon) | classifier for long and thin things | 根 (gēn) |
| 筆／笔 (bǐ) | pen (for writing) | ペン (pen) | 筆 (fude) | writing brush; painting brush | 毛筆／毛笔 (máobǐ) |
| 必死 (bìsǐ) | will surely die; must die | 必ず死ぬ (kanarazu shinu), 死ぬしかない (shinu shika nai) |
必死 (hisshi) | desperate | 拼命 (pīnmìng) |
| 扁桃體／扁桃体 (biǎntáotǐ) | tonsil | 扁桃 (hentō) | 扁桃体 (hentōtai) | amygdala | 杏仁體／杏仁体 (xìngréntǐ) |
| 標榜／标榜 (biāobǎng) | to flaunt; to brag | 自慢する (jimansuru) | 標榜する (hyōbōsuru) | to advocate | 提倡 (tíchàng) |
| 別人／别人 (biérén) | other people; others | 他人 (tanin) | 別人 (betsujin) | different person; a changed man | 另一個人 (lìng yīgè rén) |
| 冰箱 (bīngxiāng) | refrigerator; fridge | 冷蔵庫 (reizōko) | 氷箱 (kōribako) | icebox | 保冷箱 |
| 病院 (bìngyuàn) | specialized hospital | 専門の病院 (senmon no byōin) | 病院 (byōin) | hospital | 醫院／医院 (yīyuàn) |
| 不敵／不敌 (bùdí) | to be defeated | 負ける (makeru) | 不敵 (futeki) | fearless | 無畏／无畏 (wúwèi) |
| 不要 (bùyào) | don't! | 〜しないで (shinaide), 〜するな (suruna) | 不要 (fuyō) | unnecessary | 不必要 (bùbìyào) |
| 部長／部长 (bùzhǎng) | government minister (especially in non-monarchies) | 大臣 (daijin) | 部長 (buchō) | department chief within a company | 經理／经理 (jīnglǐ) |
| 裁判官 (cáipànguān) | magistrate (judicial officer with limited authority) | 治安判事 (chianhanji) | 裁判官 (saibankan) | judge (all types of judicial officer) | 法官 (fǎguān) |
| 裁判 (cáipàn) | referee | 審判 (shinpan) | 裁判 (saiban) | court decision | 判決／判决 (pànjué) |
| 差別／差别 (chābié) | difference | 違い (chigai); 区別 (kubetsu); 差別 (sabetsu) | 差別 (sabetsu) | difference; discrimination | (discrimination) 歧視／歧视 (qíshì) |
| 城市 (chéngshì) | city; town | 都市 (toshi) | 城市 (jōshi) | fortified town; castle town | 城池 (chéngchí) |
| 吃 (chī) | to eat | 食べる (taberu) | 吃る (domoru) | to stammer | 口吃 (kǒuchī) |
| 赤身 (chìshēn) | naked | 裸 (hadaka) | 赤身 (akami) | red fish meat | 紅身魚／红身鱼 |
| 沖／冲 (chōng) | to rinse; to wash | 洗う (arau) | 沖 (oki) | offshore; open sea | 遠海／远海 (yuǎnhǎi) |
| 傳票／传票 (chuánpiào) | subpoena; summons | 召喚状 (shōkanjō) | 伝票 (denpyō) | receipt; expense sheet | 收據／收据 (shōujù) 發票／发票 (fāpiào) |
| 出產／出产 (chūchǎn) | to produce; to manufacture | 産出 (sanshutsu) | 出産する (shussansuru) | to give birth | 生孩子 (shēng háizi) |
| 出來／出来 (chūlái) | to come out; to appear | 出て来る (detekuru) | 出来 (shuttai)／出来 (deki) | occurrence; happening / results; execution | 結果／结果 (jiéguǒ) |
| 出世 (chūshì) | to be born; to be introduced to the world | 生まれる (umareru) | 出世する (shussesuru) | to rise (to a position); to be successful | 成功 (chénggōng), 發達／发达 (fādá), 功成名就 (gōngchéngmíngjiù) |
| 床 (chuáng) | bed | ベッド (beddo); 寝床 (nedoko) |
床 (yuka) | floor | 地板 (dìbǎn) |
| 椿 (chūn) | Chinese mahogany (Toona sinensis) | 香椿 (chanchin) | 椿 (tsubaki) | Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) | 山茶 (shānchá); 日本山茶 (rìběnshānchá) |
| 祠 (cí) | ancestral temple | 祠堂 (shidō) | 祠 (hokora) | small wayside shrine | 路邊神龕／路边神龛 |
| 大變／大变 (dàbiàn) | to change greatly | 大きく変化する (ōkiku henkasuru) | 大変 (taihen) | greatly; terrible | (greatly) 非常 (fēicháng); (terrible) 糟糕 (zāogāo) |
| 大家 (dàjiā) | everyone | 皆 (mina) | 大家 (ōya) | landlord | 房東／房东 (fángdōng) |
| 大手 (dàshǒu) | defecation; number two | 大の方 (dainohō) | 大手 (ōte) | major company | 大企業／大企业 (dàqǐyè) |
| 大丈夫 (dàzhàngfu) | (mostly used in proverbs) great man | 男 (otoko) | 大丈夫 (daijōbu) | alright | 沒事／没事 (méishì) |
| 大夫 (dàifu) | (medical) doctor | 医者 (isha) | 大夫 (tayū) | a title for various traditional Japanese art performers | |
| 袋鼠 (dàishǔ) | kangaroo | カンガルー (kangarū) | 袋鼠 (fukuronezumi) | opossum | 負鼠／负鼠 (fùshǔ) |
| 袋熊 (dàixióng) | wombat | ウォンバット (wonbatto) | 袋熊 (fukuroguma) | koala | 樹袋熊／树袋熊 (shùdàixióng) |
| 淡泊 (dànbó) | living a simple life | 粗衣粗食 (soisoshoku) | 淡泊 (tanpaku) | plain; light | 質樸／质朴 (zhìpǔ) |
| 當前／当前 (dāngqián) | presently; currently | 只今 (tadaima) | 当たり前 (atarimae) | obvious; evident | 明顯／明显 (míngxiǎn) |
| 得體／得体 (détǐ) | fitting; appropriate | 適切 (tekisetsu) | 得体 (etai) | nature; character | 來歷／来历 (láilì) |
| 登錄／登录 (dēnglù) | (Internet) login | ログイン (roguin) | 登録 (tōroku) | (Internet) registering | 註冊／注册 (zhùcè) |
| 地方 (dìfang) | location | 場所 (basho) | 地方 (chihō) | large area | 地區／地区 (dìqū) |
| 電車／电车 (diànchē) | tram; streetcar | 路面電車 (romendensha), トラム (toramu) |
電車 (densha) | electric multiple unit train; train in general | (train in general) 火車／火车 (huǒchē); (EMU) 電力動車組／电力动车组 (diànlì dòngchēzǔ) |
| 電費／电费 (diànfèi) | electricity bill | 電気代 (denkidai) | 電費 (denpi) | electric mileage (e.g., of an electric car) | |
| 東西／东西 (dōngxi) | thing | 物 (mono) | 東西 (tōzai) | east and west | 東西／东西 (dōngxī) |
| 動畫／动画 (dònghuà) | animation | アニメーション (animēshon); アニメ (anime) |
動画 (dōga) | video | 視頻／视频 (shìpín) (mainalnd China) 影片 (yǐngpiàn) (Taiwan, Hong Kong) |
| 發火／发火 (fāhuǒ) | to become angry | 怒る (okoru) | 発火する (hakkasuru) | to catch fire | 起火 (qǐhuǒ) |
| 方便 (fāngbiàn) | convenient | 便利 (benri) | 方便 (hōben) | expedient; means | 手段 (shǒuduàn) |
| 服役 (fúyì) | to serve in the military; military service | 入隊 (nyūtai) | 服役 (fukueki) | to serve one's sentence in prison | 服刑 (fúxíng) |
| 放心 (fàngxīn) | to stop worrying; to be comforted | 安心 (anshin) | 放心 (hōshin) | to be unresponsive due to sudden confusion; to be astonished | 愣住 (lèngzhù); 呆住 (dāizhù); 傻 (shǎ) |
| 該當／该当 (gāidāng) | should, ought to | -べき (beki) | 該当 (gaitō) | to correspond to | 對應／对应 (duìyìng) |
| 改行 (gǎiháng) | to change profession | 転職 (tenshoku) | 改行 (kaigyō) | newline | 換行／换行 (huànháng) |
| 高校 (gāoxiào) | university or college | 大学 (daigaku) | 高校 (kōkō) | senior high school | 高中 (gāozhōng) |
| 告訴／告诉 (gàosu) | to inform | 教える (oshieru) | 告訴する (kokusosuru) | to sue | 起訴／起诉 (qǐsù) |
| 格式 (géshì) | format; model | 形式 (keishiki) | 格式 (kakushiki) | social rules; formality | 虛禮／虚礼 (xūlǐ) |
| 工廠／工厂 (gōngchǎng) | factory | 工場 (kōjō) | 工廠 (kōshō) | arsenal | 兵工廠／兵工厂 (bīnggōngchǎng) |
| 工夫 (gōngfu) | a period of time | 時間 (jikan) | 工夫 (kufū) | device; plan | 構思／构思 (gòusī) |
| 公社 (gōngshè) | commune | 人民公社 (jinminkōsha); コミューン (komyūn); 自治体 (jichitai) |
公社 (kōsha) | public corporation | 國有企業 |
| 公式 (gōngshì) | formula | 公式 (kōshiki), 定式 (teishiki); |
公式 (kōshiki) | formality, officiality; formula | (officiality) 官方 (guānfāng) |
| 工作 (gōngzuò) | work; occupation | 仕事 (shigoto) | 工作 (kōsaku) | secret activity | 秘密活動 (mìmì huódòng) |
| 供出 (gòng chū) | to confess (something) | 白状する (hakujōsuru) | 供出 (kyōshutsu) | to pay tax in kind | 繳納／缴纳 (jiǎonà) |
| 故事 (gùshi) | story | 物語 (monogatari) | 故事 (koji) | historical event | 歷史事件／历史事件 (lìshǐ shìjiàn) |
| 怪我 (guài wǒ) | (phrase) It's my fault. | 私のせいだ (watashi no sei da) | 怪我 (kega) | injury | 傷／伤 (shāng) |
| 鬼 (guǐ) | ghost | お化け (obake) 幽霊 (yūrei) |
鬼 (oni) | ogre | 食人魔 (shírénmó) |
| 好 (hǎo); 好 (hào) |
(hǎo) good; (hào) to like | (good) 良い (yoi); (to like) 好む (konomu) |
好き (suki) | liked, favorite | (attributive) 喜歡／喜欢 (xǐhuān) |
| 何人 (hérén) | who | 誰 (dare) | 何人 (nannin) | how many people | 多少人 (duōshao rén) |
| 合同 (hétóng) | contract | 契約 (keiyaku) | 合同 (gōdō) | joint | 合辦／合办 (hébàn); 聯合／联合 (liánhé) |
| 呼出 (hūchū) | to breathe out | 息を吐く (ikiohaku) | 呼び出し (yobidashi) | calling; invoking | 調動／调动 (diàodòng) |
| 花子 (huāzi) | beggar | 乞食 (kojiki) | 花子 (Hanako) | female given name | - |
| 回報／回报 (huíbào) | reciprocation, reward, revenge | 報いる (mukuiru); 報復 (hōfuku) | 回報 (kaihō) | circular | 通告 (tōnggào) |
| 火車／火车 (huǒchē) | train; railway carriage | 列車 (ressha); 電車 (densha) | 火の車 (hi no kuruma) | short of money | 拮据 (jiéjū) |
| 機／机 (jī) | machine | 機 (ki) | 机 (tsukue) | desk | 桌子 (zhuōzi) |
| 急行 (jíxíng) | to walk hurriedly | 足早に (ashibayani) | 急行 (kyūkō) | express (e.g. train) | 快車／快车 (kuàichē) |
| 記事／记事 (jìshì) | to keep a record of events; record | 記録する (kirokusuru) | 記事 (kiji) | article; written news story | (article) 文章 (wénzhāng); (news story) 報道／报道 (bàodào) |
| 檢討／检讨 (jiǎntǎo) | to review; to self-criticize | 反省 (hansei) | 検討 (kentō) | to consider; to discuss | 考慮／考虑 (kǎolǜ) 討論／讨论 (tǎolùn) |
| 假設／假设 (jiǎshè) | to hypothesize | 仮定 (katei) | 仮設 (kasetsu) | makeshift | 臨時／临时 (línshí) |
| 交代 (jiāodài) | to inform; to entrust; to confess | (to inform) 教える (oshieru); (to entrust) 託する (takusuru) |
交代する (kōtaisuru) | to take turns | 輪換／轮换 (lúnhuàn) |
| 交友 (jiāoyǒu) | to make friends | 友達になる (tomodachi ni naru) | 交友 (kōyū) | friend | 朋友 (péngyou) |
| 腳氣／脚气 (jiǎoqì) | athlete's foot | 水虫 (mizumushi); 足白癬 (ashihakusen) |
脚気 (kakke) | beriberi | 維生素B1缺乏症 (wéishēngsù-bìyī quēfázhèng); 腳氣病／脚气病 (jiǎoqìbìng) |
| 階段／阶段 (jiēduàn) | phase; stage | 段階 (dankai) | 階段 (kaidan) | staircase | 樓梯／楼梯 (lóutī) |
| 結構／结构 (jiégòu) | structure | 構成 (kōsei) | 結構 (kekkō) | assembly, construction; plan; sufficient; quite; (phrase) no thanks |
(assembly) 組裝／组装 (zǔzhuāng); (plan) 計劃／计划 (jìhuà); (sufficient) 足夠／足够 (zúgòu); (quite) 非常 (fēicháng); (phrase) 不用了，謝謝／不用了，谢谢 |
| 結束／结束 (jiéshù) | to end | 終わる (owaru) | 結束 (kessoku) | unity; union | 團結／团结 (tuánjié) |
| 介子 (jièzǐ) | meson | 中間子 (chūkanshi) | 介子 (Kako); 介子 (Katako) | female given name | - |
| 經理／经理 (jīnglǐ) | department chief within a company | 部長 (buchō) | 経理 (keiri) | financial affairs | 財務／财务 (cáiwù) |
| 精一杯 (jīng yī bēi) | a cup of semen | 精液の一杯 (seieki no ippai) | 精一杯 (seiippai) | one's best effort | 竭盡全力／竭尽全力 (jiéjìnquánlì) |
| 覺悟／觉悟 (juéwù) | to realize; realization | 意識 (ishiki) | 覚悟 (kakugo) | mental resolve | 決心／决心 (juéxīn) |
| 開會／开会 (kāihuì) | to hold a meeting | 会議をする (kaigi o suru) | 開会する (kaikaisuru) | to open a meeting | 開幕／开幕 (kāimù) |
| 看病 (kànbìng) | to treat a patient; to visit a doctor (depending on context) | 診察する (shinsatsusuru) 診察を受ける (shinsatsuojukeru) |
看病 (kanbyō) | nursing; to nurse | 護理／护理 (hùlǐ) |
| 可憐／可怜 (kělián) | pitiful | 可哀想 (kawaisō) | 可憐 (karen) | lovely | 可愛／可爱 (kě'ài) |
| 控 (kòng) | to control; to accuse, to charge | (to control) 支配する (shihaisuru); (to accuse) 問う (tou) |
控える (hikaeru) | to wait nearby; to refrain from | (to wait) 等候 (děnghòu); (to refrain) 抑制 (yìzhì) |
| 快報／快报 (kuàibào) | wall bulletin, bulletin board; breaking news | 掲示板 (keijiban); 速報 (sokuhō) |
快報 (kaihō) | good news | 喜訊／喜讯 (xǐxùn) |
| 嵐／岚 (lán) | mountain mist | 嵐気 (ranki) | 嵐 (arashi) | storm | 風暴／风暴 (fēngbào) |
| 老婆 (lǎopo) | wife | 妻 (tsuma) | 老婆 (rōba) | old woman | 老太婆 (lǎotàipó) |
| 老師／老师 (lǎoshī) | teacher | 先生 (sensei); 教師 (kyōshi) |
老師 (rōshi) | senior Buddhist monk | 老僧 (lǎosēng) |
| 老頭兒／老头儿 (lǎotóur) | old man; old fellow | 老人 (rōjin) | 老頭児 (rōtoru) | old fart; dotard | 老糊塗／老糊涂 (lǎohútú) |
| 樂／乐 (lè) | happy; cheerful | 嬉しい (ureshii) | 楽 (raku) | comfort; ease | 安逸 (ānyì) |
| 裡／裏／里 (lǐ) | inside | 中 (naka) | 裏 (ura); 里 (sato) |
(裏) back; rear (里) village; hometown |
(back) 後邊／后边 (hòubiān); (village) 村 (cūn) |
| 連帶／连带 (liándài) | to be related; to involve | 関わる (kakawaru) | 連帯 (rentai) | solidarity | 团结 |
| 聯合國／联合国 (Liánhéguó) | the United Nations | 国連 (kokuren)／国際連合 (kokusairengō) | 聯合国 (rengōkoku) (most commonly nowadays as 連合国 (rengōkoku)) | the Allies (of WWI, WWII) | (WWI) 協約國／协约国 (Xiéyuēguó)； (WWII) 同盟國／同盟国 (tóngméngguó) |
| 料理 (liàolǐ) | to manage | 処理する (shorisuru) | 料理 (ryōri) | dish; cuisine | 菜 (cài) |
| 流氓 (liúmáng) | hooligan | フーリガン (fūrigan) 不良 (furyō) |
流氓 (ryūbō) | refugee | 難民／难民 (nànmín) |
| 留守 (liúshǒu) | to stay behind to take care of things | 留守番 (rusuban) | 留守 (rusu) | absence; being away from home | 不在 (bùzài) |
| 落花流水 (luòhuāliúshuǐ) | to be utterly defeated; to be in a sorry state | 惨敗 (zanpai) | 落花流水 (rakkaryūsui) | mutual love | 互愛／互爱 |
| 旅館／旅馆 (lǚguǎn) | hotel | ホテル (hoteru); 宿 (yado) |
旅館 (ryokan) | traditional Japanese-style inn | 日式旅館 |
| 律師／律师 (lǜshī) | lawyer | 弁護士 (bengoshi) | 律師 (risshi) | Buddhist priest | 和尚 (héshàng) |
| 麻雀 (máquè) | sparrow | 雀 (suzume) | 麻雀 (mājan) | mahjong | 麻將／麻将 (májiàng) |
| 馬鹿／马鹿 (mǎlù) | horses and deer; red deer | (horses and deer) 馬と鹿 (uma to shika) (red deer) 赤鹿 (akashika) / アカシカ (akashika) |
馬鹿 (baka) | stupid; idiotic | 愚蠢 (yúchǔn) |
| 迷惑 (míhuò) | confused | 困惑 (konwaku) | 迷惑 (meiwaku) | nuisance; annoyance | 麻煩／麻烦 (máfan) |
| 勉強／勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) | to do something by brute force | 無理 (muri) | 勉強 (benkyō) | to study | 學習／学习 (xuéxí) |
| 名字 (míngzi) | given name | 下の名前 (shita no namae) | 名字 (myōji) | family name | 姓 (xìng) |
| 模樣／模样 (múyàng) | looks; appearance | 見た目 (mitame); 外観 (gaikan) |
模様 (moyō) | pattern; design | 圖案／图案 (tú'àn); 花樣／花样 (huāyàng) |
| 目前 (mùqián) | the present time | 現在 (genzai) | 目前 (mokuzen) | right before one's eyes | 眼前 (yǎnqián) |
| 難聽／难听 (nántīng) | bad-sounding | 耳障り (mimizawari) | 難聴 (nanchō) | hearing loss | 聽力障礙 (tīnglì zhàng'ài); 耳背 (ěrbèi) |
| 鮎／鲇 (nián) | catfish | 鯰 (namazu) | 鮎 (ayu) | sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis) | 香魚／香鱼 (xiāngyú) |
| 娘 (niáng) | mother | 母 (haha) | 娘 (musume) | daughter | 女兒／女儿 (nǚ'ér) |
| 女將／女将 (nǚjiàng) | female military officer | - | 女将 (okami) | landlady | 老闆娘／老板娘 (lǎobǎnniáng); 女房東 (nǚ fángdōng) |
| 女中 (nǚzhōng) | all-girls middle school | 女子中学校 (joshichūgakkō) | 女中 (jochū) | hostess (in a ryokan); waitress (in a traditional restaurant) | |
| 庖丁 (páodīng) | cook | 料理人 (ryōrinin) | 包丁 (hōchō) | kitchen knife | 菜刀 (càidāo) |
| 配 (pèi) | to pair; to match | 合わせる (awaseru); 合致 (gatchi) |
配る (kubaru) | to distribute | 分配 (fēnpèi) |
| 棚 (péng) | shed | 小屋 (koya); 物置 (monooki) |
棚 (tana) | shelf | 架子 (jiàzi) |
| 匹 (pǐ) | counter for horses | 頭 (tō) (counter for large animals, not exclusive to horses) |
匹 (hiki) | counter for small animals | 隻／只 (zhī) |
| 皮肉 (píròu) | skin and flesh; body | 皮と肉 (kawa to niku) | 皮肉 (hiniku) | irony; sarcasm | 諷刺／讽刺 (fěngcì) |
| 便宜 (piányi) | cheap | 安い (yasui) | 便宜 (bengi) | convenience | 方便 (fāngbiàn) |
| 票 (piào) | ticket | 券 (ken) | 票 (hyō) | vote | 選票／选票 (xuǎnpiào) |
| 平和 (pínghé) | gentle; mild | 穏やか (odayaka) | 平和 (heiwa) | peace | 和平 (hépíng) |
| 淒／悽／凄 (qī) | miserable; sorrowful; sad | 悲しい (kanashii) | 凄い (sugoi) | horrible; awful; amazing; remarkable | (amazing, remarkable) 了不起 (liǎobùqǐ), 厲害／厉害 (lìhài) |
| 汽車／汽车 (qìchē) | car; automobile | 自動車 (jidōsha) | 汽車 (kisha) | steam locomotive | 蒸汽機車／蒸汽机车 (zhēngqì jīchē) |
| 氣絕／气绝 (qìjué) | (literary) to die | 息を引き取る (iki o hikitoru), 死ぬ (shinu) | 気絶 (kizetsu) | a faint, a temporary loss of consciousness | 暈厥／晕厥 (yūnjué) |
| 恰好 (qiàhǎo) | just right; luckily | ちょうど (chōdo), 折よく (oriyoku) |
恰好 (kakkō) | shape; appearance | 樣子／样子 (yàngzi), 模樣／模样 (múyàng) |
| 前年 (qiánnián) | the year before last year | 一昨年 (ototoshi) | 前年 (zennen) | last year | 去年 (qùnián) |
| 切手 (qiē shǒu) | cutting one's hand | 手を切る (te o kiru) | 切手 (kitte) | postage stamp | 郵票／邮票 (yóupiào) |
| 親友／亲友 (qīnyǒu) | friends and relatives | 親戚と友人 (shinseki to yūjin) | 親友 (shin'yū) | close friend | 摯友／挚友 (zhìyǒu), 密友 (mìyǒu), 哥們／哥们 (gēmen) |
| 青 (qīng) | green | 緑 (midori) | 青 (ao) | blue | 藍／蓝 (lán) |
| 情報／情报 (qíngbào) | intelligence; secret information about the enemy or other hostile activities | 秘密情報 (himitsu jōhō) | 情報 (jōhō) | information | 信息 (xìnxī) |
| 去 (qù) | to go | 行く (iku) | 去る (saru) | to depart; to leave | 離開／离开 (líkāi) |
| 犬飼 (quǎn sì) | to be raised by a dog | 犬に飼われる (inunikawareru) | 犬飼 (Inukai) | a Japanese surname, meaning "a person who raises dogs" | - |
| 勸進／劝进 (quànjìn) | (of a subordinate of a usurper) to urge one's superior to take the throne | 皇帝に推し挙げる (kōtei ni oshiageru) | 勧進 (kanjin) | temple solicitation | 化緣／化缘 (huàyuán) |
| 人間／人间 (rénjiān) | human world; world of mortals | 人間界 (ningenkai) | 人間 (ningen) | human being | 人類／人类 (rénlèi) |
| 人參／人参 (rénshēn) | ginseng | 朝鮮人参 (chōsen ninjin) | 人参 (ninjin) | carrot | 胡蘿蔔／胡萝卜 (húluóbo) 紅蘿蔔／红萝卜 (hóngluóbo) |
| 入籍 (rùjí) | to become a naturalized citizen | 帰化する (kikasuru) | 入籍する (nyūsekisuru) | to enter the family register | 加入戶籍／加入户籍 (jiārù hùjí) |
| 入內／入内 (rùnèi) | to enter; to go inside | 入る (hairu) | 入内 (judai) | imperial bridal party's entry into the court | |
| 上氣／上气 (shàngqì) | upper chi | 上気 (jōki) | blushing (one's cheeks) | 發紅／发红 (fāhóng) | |
| 上手 (shàngshǒu) | to start | 始める (hajimeru) | 上手 (jōzu) | skilled | 熟練／熟练 (shúliàn) |
| 少年 (shàonián) | young people | 若者 (wakamono) | 少年 (shōnen) | young man; boy | 男孩 (nánhái) |
| 蛇口 (Shékǒu) | a place in Shenzhen, Guangdong | - | 蛇口 (jaguchi) | tap; faucet | 水龍頭／水龙头 (shuǐlóngtóu) |
| 師弟／师弟 (shīdì) | junior fellow disciple | 弟弟子 (otōtodeshi) | 師弟 (shitei) | teacher and disciple | 師徒／师徒 (shītú) |
| 時候／时候 (shíhou) | time | 時 (toki); 時間 (jikan) |
時候 (jikō) | season; time of the year | 季節／季节 (jìjié) |
| 石頭／石头 (shítou) | stone | 石 (ishi) | 石頭 (ishiatama) | stubbornness | 頑固／顽固 (wángù) |
| 使用人 (shǐyòngrén) | user | 使用者 (shiyōsha); 利用者 (riyōsha) | 使用人 (shiyōnin) | employee; servant | 員工／员工 (yuángōng); 僕人／仆人 (púrén) |
| 貰／贳 (shì) | (archaic) to borrow | 借りる (kariru) | 貰う (morau) | to receive; to get | 得到 (dédào) |
| 侍 (shì) | to serve | 仕える (tsukaeru) | 侍 (samurai) | samurai | 武士 (wǔshì) |
| 試驗／试验 (shìyàn) | test; trial | 実験 (jikken) | 試験 (shiken) | academic examination | 考試／考试 (kǎoshì) |
| 私 (sī) | private; personal | 個人的 (kojinteki) | 私 (watashi) | I; me | 我 (wǒ) |
| 首 (shǒu) | head | 頭 (atama) | 首 (kubi) | neck | 頸／颈 (jǐng) |
| 手袋 (shǒudài) | handbag | ハンドバッグ (handobaggu) | 手袋 (tebukuro) | glove; mitten | 手套 (shǒutào) |
| 手機／手机 (shǒujī) | mobile phone | 携帯電話 (keitai denwa) | 手機 (tebata) | handloom | 手搖紡織機／手摇纺织机 |
| 手心 (shǒuxīn) | palm of one's hand | 掌（の中央） (tenohira (no chūō)) | 手心 (tegokoro) | discretion; consideration; allowance | 酌情 (zhuóqíng)，斟酌 (zhēnzhuó) |
| 手紙／手纸 (shǒuzhǐ) | toilet paper | トイレットペーパー (toiretto pēpā) | 手紙 (tegami) | letter, a written or printed communication | 信 (xìn) |
| 書類／书类 (shūlèi) | book category | 書籍部門 (shoseki bumon) | 書類 (shorui) | document; official papers | 文件 (wénjiàn) |
| 搜查 (sōuchá) | to search (for evidence); to raid (premises) | 捜索 (sōsaku) | 捜査 (sōsa) | to investigate (especially criminal investigations) | 調查／调查 (diàochá) |
| 縮寫／缩写 (suōxiě) | abbreviation | 略語 (ryakugo) | 縮写 (shukusha) | reduced copy; reproduction in miniature | 縮印／缩印 (suōyìn) |
| 所用 | (that) which is used | 用いられる（もの） (mochīrareru (mono)) | 所用 (shoyō) | business; engagement | 事情 (shìqing), 事務／事务 (shìwù) |
| 太 (tài) | too; exceedingly | 過ぎる (-sugiru) | 太い (futoi) | (of cylindrical objects) thick | 粗 (cū) |
| 湯／汤 (tāng) | soup | 汁 (shiru); スープ (sūpu) |
湯 (yu) | hot water | 熱水／热水 (rèshuǐ) |
| 唐突 (tángtū) | to be rude | 失礼する (shitsureisuru) | 唐突 (tōtotsu) | abrupt; sudden | 突然 (tūrán) |
| 藤 (téng) | vine; cane | 籐 (tō) | 藤 (fuji) | wisteria | 紫藤 (zǐténg) |
| 天井 (tiānjǐng) | courtyard; patio | 中庭 (nakaniwa) | 天井 (tenjō) | ceiling | 天花板 (tiānhuābǎn) |
| 田 (tián) | farmland | 田畑 (tahata) | 田 (ta) | paddy field | 水田 (shuǐtián) |
| 停車場／停车场 (tíngchēchǎng) | car park | 駐車場 (chūshajō) | 停車場 (teishajō) | railway station | 火車站／火车站 (huǒchēzhàn) |
| 外人 (wàirén) | outsider | 局外者 (kyokugaisha) | 外人 (gaijin) | foreigner | 外國人／外国人 (wàiguórén) |
| 腕 (wàn) | wrist | 手首 (tekubi) | 腕 (ude) | arm | 臂 (bì) |
| 王妃 (wángfēi) | princess consort | 姫 (hime) | 王妃 (ōhi) | queen consort | 王后 (wánghòu) |
| 溫存／温存 (wēncún) | gentle | 優しい (yasashii) | 温存 (onzon) | preservation; keeping | 保存 (bǎocún) |
| 聞／闻 (wén) | to smell; to sniff | 嗅ぐ (kagu) | 聞く (kiku) | to listen; to ask | 聽／听 (tīng) |
| 文句 (wénjù) | wording | 言葉遣い (kotobazukai) | 文句 (monku) | complaint | 抱怨 (bàoyuàn) |
| 我孫子 (wǒ sūnzi) | my grandson | 私の孫 (watashi no mago) | 我孫子 (Abiko) | a city in Chiba Prefecture and a surname | - |
| 我慢 (wǒ màn) | (phrase) I'm slow. | 私が遅い (watashigaosoi) | 我慢する (gamansuru) | to bear; to endure | 忍 (rěn) |
| 下品 (xiàpǐn) | poor quality; inferior product | 下作 (gesaku) | 下品 (gehin) | vulgar | 粗俗 (cūsú) |
| 下手 (xiàshǒu) | to start doing | 着手 (着手) | 下手 (heta) | unskilled | 笨拙 (bènzhuō) |
| 下水 (xiàshuǐ) | downstream; to go into water | (downstream) 下流 (karyū); (to go into water) 水に入る (mizu ni hairu) |
下水 (gesui) | sewage | 污水 (wūshuǐ) |
| 先生 (xiānshēng) | (a title used after a personal name) Mr. | さん (-san)、様 (sama) | 先生 (sensei) | a title for medical doctors, teachers and other intellectuals | (doctor) 大夫 (dàifu), (others) 老師／老师 (lǎoshī) |
| 小康 (xiǎokāng) | moderate affluence; good living standards | 小康 (shōkō) | lull; respite | 平穩／平稳 (píngwěn) | |
| 小心 (xiǎoxīn) | careful | 用心 (yōjin) | 小心 (shōshin) | coward | 膽小／胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) |
| 咲／笑 (xiào) | Archaic variant character of 笑 (xiào) | 笑う (warau) | 咲く (saku) | to blossom | 開花／开花 (kāihuā) |
| 邪魔 (xiémó) | evil spirits | 妖怪 (yōkai) | 邪魔 (jama) | hindrance; nuisance | 障礙／障碍 (zhàng'ài); 麻煩／麻烦 (máfan) |
| 寫／写 (xiě) | to write | 書く (kaku) | 写す (utsusu) | to copy | 複印／复印 (fùyìn); 抄寫／抄写 (chāoxiě) |
| 寫真／写真 (xiězhēn) | (usually sexual) photograph | 写真 (shashin); (sexual) グラビア写真 (gurabia shashin) |
写真 (shashin) | photograph | 照片 (zhàopiàn) |
| 謝／谢 (xiè) | to thank | 感謝する (kanshasuru) | 謝る (ayamaru) | to apologize | 道歉 (dàoqiàn) 謝罪／谢罪 (xièzuì) |
| 洗練／洗练 (xǐliàn) | succint; terse | 簡潔 (kanketsu) | 洗練 (senren) | polished; sophisticated | 高尚 (gāoshàng) |
| 心地 (xīndì) | one's heart; one's innermost being | 心理 (shinri) | 心地 (kokochi) | feeling; sensation | 心情 (xīnqíng) |
| 心事 (xīnshì) | worry; a load on one's mind | 考え事 (kangaegoto) | 心事 (shinji) | mind | 心 (xīn) |
| 心細／心细 (xīnxì) | careful | 用心 (yōjin) | 心細い (kokorobosoi) | hopeless | 無望／无望 (wúwàng) |
| 心中 (xīnzhōng) | central point; in one's heart | 心の中 (kokoro no naka) | 心中 (shinjū) | group suicide; lovers' suicide | 殉情 (xùnqíng); 一同自殺 |
| 新歡／新欢 (xīnhuān) | new lover | 今カレ (imakare); 今カノ (imakano) |
新歓 (shinkan) | welcoming of newcomers | 迎新 (yíngxīn) |
| 新聞／新闻 (xīnwén) | news | ニュース (nyūsu) | 新聞 (shinbun) | newspaper | 報紙／报纸 (bàozhǐ) |
| 修士 (xiūshì) | member of a religious order; friar | 修道士 (shūdōshi) | 修士 (shūshi) | master's degree | 碩士／硕士 (shuòshì) |
| 喧嘩 (xuānhuá) | to shout or talk loudly | 騒ぐ (sawagu) | 喧嘩する (kenkasuru) | to quarrel with; to fight with | 衝突／冲突 (chōngtū); 爭執／争执 (zhēngzhí) |
| 顏色／颜色 (yánsè) | color | 色 (iro) | 顔色 (kaoiro) | complexion | 氣色／气色 (qìsè) 臉色／脸色 (liǎnsè) |
| 演出 (yǎnchū) | performance | 演技 (engi) | 演出 (enshutsu) | direction (e.g. of a play); production | 導演／导演 (dǎoyǎn) |
| 演技 (yǎnjì) | acting skill | 演技力 (engiryoku) | 演技 (engi) | performance | 演出 (yǎnchū) |
| 野菜 (yěcài) | vegetable collected from the wild | 山菜 (sansai) | 野菜 (yasai) | vegetable | 蔬菜 (shūcài) |
| 葉／叶 (yè) | leaf | 葉 (ha) | 叶う (kanau) | to be fulfilled | 實現／实现 (shíxiàn) |
| 驛／驿 (yì) | relay station (to change horses during long journeys) | 宿場 (shukuba) | 駅 (eki) | train station | 火車站／火车站 (huǒchēzhàn) |
| 一番 (yīfān) | one time; once | 一度 (ichido); 一回 (ikkai) |
一番 (ichiban) | first; most | 第一 (dì-yī) |
| 伊人 (yīrén) | that woman | 彼女 (kanojo) | 伊人 (ijin) (usually as イタリア人 (itariajin)) |
Italian person | 意大利人 (yìdàlìrén) |
| 醫生／医生 (yīshēng) | medical doctor | 医者 (isha) | 医生 (isei) | medical student | 醫學生／医学生 (yīxuéshēng) |
| 陰間／阴间 (yīnjiān) | underworld | 冥界 (meikai) | 陰間 (kagema) | (historical) a male sex worker | 男妓 (nánjì) |
| 應酬／应酬 (yìngchou) | social niceties; dinner party | 応対する (ōtaisuru)、 交際する (kōsaisuru)、 接待する (settaisuru) |
応酬 (ōshū) | exchange; reply; riposte | 即刻答應 |
| 用心 (yòngxīn) | diligent | 念入り (nen'iri) | 用心 (yōjin) | careful | 小心 (xiǎoxīn) |
| 用意 (yòngyì) | intention; purpose | 意思 (ishi) | 用意 (yōi) | preparation; arrangements | 準備／准备 (zhǔnbèi) |
| 預／预 (yù) | in advance; pre- | 予 (yo) | 預 (yo) | commitment; entrustment | 託／托 (tuō) |
| 遠慮／远虑 (yuǎnlǜ) | long-term considerations; to take the long view | 先見 (senken) | 遠慮 (enryo) | constraint; holding back | 保留 (bǎoliú) |
| 約束／约束 (yuēshù) | restriction | 制限 (seigen) | 約束 (yakusoku) | promise | 約定／约定 (yuēdìng) |
| 熨斗 (yùndǒu) | iron (tool for pressing wrinkles on cloth) | アイロン (airon) | 熨斗 (noshi) | a type of ceremonial origami | - |
| 運轉／运转 (yùnzhuǎn) | (intransitive) to revolve; to operate | (to revolve) 回る (mawaru); (to operate) 動作する (dōsasuru) |
運転する (untensuru) | to drive | 駕駛／驾驶 (jiàshǐ) |
| 鮓／鲊 (zhǎ) | fish served in salt and red yeast | - | 鮓 (sushi) | sushi | 壽司／寿司 (shòusī) |
| 戰艦／战舰 (zhànjiàn) | warship | 軍艦 (gunkan) | 戦艦 (senkan) | battleship | 戰列艦／战列舰 (zhànlièjiàn) |
| 丈夫 (zhàngfu) | husband | 夫 (otto) | 丈夫 (jōbu) | durable | 結實／结实 (jiēshi) |
| 招待 (zhāodài) | to host, to entertain, to serve | 接待する (settaisuru) | 招待 (shōtai) | invitation, to invite | 邀請／邀请 (yāoqǐng) |
| 照會／照会 (zhàohuì) | démarche, memorandum | 覚書 (oboegaki) | 照会 (shōkai) | inquiry, query | 詢問／询问 (xúnwèn) |
| 朝三暮四 (zhāosānmùsì) | to blow hot and cold; to be unreliable | 当てにならない (ate ni naranai) | 朝三暮四 (chōsanboshi) | superficial change with contents remaining the same | 換湯不換藥／换汤不换药 (huàn tāng bù huàn yào) |
| 這／这 (zhè) | this | これ (kore); この (kono) |
這う (hau) | to crawl | 爬 (pá) |
| 真面目 (zhēnmiànmù) | the real identity or intention behind some disguise | 正体 (shōtai) | 真面目 (majime) | serious; not joking | 嚴肅／严肃 (yánsù) |
| 正直 (zhèngzhí) | upright; righteous | 実直 (jitchoku) | 正直 (shōjiki) | honest | 誠實／诚实 (chéngshí) |
| 正座 (zhèngzuò) | seat facing the stage | 向正面 (mukōjōmen) | 正座 (seiza) | sitting (kneeling) in a traditional Japanese way | 端坐 (duānzuò) |
| 指摘 (zhǐzhāi) | to criticize | 批判する (hihansuru) | 指摘する (shitekisuru) | pointing out | 指出 (zhǐchū) |
| 質問／质问 (zhìwèn) | to challenge someone by asking questions | 尋問 (jinmon); 問い詰める (toitsumeru) |
質問する (shitsumonsuru) | to ask a question | 提問／提问 (tíwèn) |
| 中學／中学 (zhōngxué) | secondary school | 中学と高校 (chūgaku to kōkō) | 中学 (chūgaku) | junior high school | 初中 (chūzhōng) |
| 豬／猪 (zhū) | pig | 豚 (buta) | 猪 (inoshishi) | wild boar | 野豬／野猪 (yězhū) 山豬／山猪 (shānzhū) |
| 桌球 (zhuōqiú) | cue sports | ビリヤード (biriyādo) | 卓球 (takkyū) | table tennis | 乒乓球 (pīngpāngqiú) |
| 著想 (zhuóxiǎng) | to take into consideration, to consider from the perspective of | （…のために）考える ((…no tame ni) kangaeru) | 着想 (chakusō) | idea | 主意 (zhǔyì) |
| 卓 (zhuó) | outstanding | 優秀 (yūshū) | 卓 (taku) | table | 桌 (zhuō) |
| 注文 (zhùwén) | annotation | 注釈 (chūshaku) | 注文 (chūmon) | order (of goods) | 訂／订 (dìng) |
| 追尾 (zhuīwěi) | rear-end collision | 追突 (tsuitotsu) | 追尾 (tsuibi) | (of projectiles) to track (the target) | 跟蹤／跟踪 (gēnzōng) |
| 自分 (zìfèn) | to self-assess | 自己評価 (jikohyōka) | 自分 (jibun) | oneself | 自己 (zìjǐ) |
| 走 (zǒu) | to walk | 歩く (aruku) | 走る (hashiru) | to run | 跑 (pǎo) |
| 作為／作为 (zuòwéi) | conduct; deeds | 行為 (kōi) | 作為 (sakui) | intentionality | 有意 (yǒuyì) |
| 作業／作业 (zuòyè) | work, operation; homework | (homework) 宿題 (shukudai) | 作業 (sagyō) | work, operation | 作業／作业 (zuòyè) |
| 作戰／作战 (zuòzhàn) | to combat; to fight | 戦う (tatakau) | 作戦 (sakusen) | tactics; strategy | 策略 (cèlüè) |