Japanese Word Quiz

Welcome to the "Japanese Words and Their Meanings" quiz! Think you can match Japanese words to their correct meanings? This 13-question quiz will test your knowledge of common and unique words from Japanese, spanning language, culture, and everyday life. Whether you're a language enthusiast or just curious about Japanese vocabulary, you'll find a range of terms to challenge your skills. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Japanese words—let’s see how many you can get right!
 
1 of 13
Which English word, borrowed from Japanese, refers to a style of martial arts that emphasizes "the gentle way"?
Aikido
Karate
Kung Fu
Judo
 
2 of 13
Which culinary term in English, borrowed from Japanese, literally means "grilled" and refers to skewered meats?
Yakitori
Sashimi
Teriyaki
Tempura
 
3 of 13
The word "tycoon" has become a common English term for a wealthy, influential person. What did it originally mean in Japanese?
Military leader
Merchant
Farmer
Samurai
 
4 of 13
The popular English term for raw fish slices in Japanese cuisine is "sashimi." What does "sashimi" literally translate to?
Fresh catch
Pierced meat
Fish filet
Thin slice
 
5 of 13
In English, "karaoke" refers to a form of entertainment where people sing along to recorded music. What does "karaoke" mean in Japanese?
Singing stage
Empty stage
Empty orchestra
Voice without sound
 
6 of 13
Which of these words comes from Japanese?
Zephyr
Zenith
Zebra
Zero
 
7 of 13
"Tsunami" is a word used in English to describe a massive sea wave caused by an underwater disturbance. What is the literal translation of "tsunami" in Japanese?
Earth wave
Ocean god
Angry Water
Harbor wave
 
8 of 13
What does "sake" mean in Japanese?
Rice wine
Rice spirit
Alcoholic drink
Fermented drink
 
9 of 13
The word "bonsai" refers to the practice of cultivating miniature trees. What does "bonsai" literally translate to in English?
Small tree
Garden in a pot
Tree in a dish
A dwarfed giant
 
10 of 13
The word "Ronin" comes to us from Japanese, what does it mean?
The highest caste of warrior
A veteran warrior
A samurai without a master
A military genius
 
11 of 13
What does the word Sumo mean in Japanese?
Great or big
Fat
Striking one another
Circle
 
12 of 13
What does the Japanese word "Kawaii" mean?
A fun activity
A doll
Cute
Beautiful
 
13 of 13
A Japanese single-portion boxed meal, often eaten for lunch, is called...
Miso
Tatami
Bento
Wasabi
 
Try Again...
Looks like Japanese vocabulary isn’t your strong suit just yet—but don’t worry, learning a new language takes time! You... READ MORE
 
You Know Some Japanese!
Good job—you’ve got a solid grasp of Japanese words! While there’s still room to grow, your results show that you’re... READ MORE
 
Japanese Speaker
Amazing! You really know your Japanese! Whether you’ve studied the language or immersed yourself in Japanese culture... READ MORE
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