mansion
English
large luxurious house
マンション (manshon)
Japanese
apartment building, condo
Example
They live in a mansion. | 新しいマンションに住んでいます。
Words that look similar to English but have different meanings. Avoid common mistakes!
False friends can be tricky! These words look similar between languages but have different meanings. Study them carefully to avoid common mistakes.
65 false friends found
English
large luxurious house
Japanese
apartment building, condo
Example
They live in a mansion. | 新しいマンションに住んでいます。
English
Norse warrior
Japanese
buffet, all-you-can-eat
Example
Vikings sailed to many lands. | バイキング形式のレストランです。
English
permission, agreement
Japanese
electrical outlet
Example
You need parental consent. | コンセントはどこですか?
English
intelligent, clever
Japanese
slim, slender
Example
She is very smart. | スマートな体型です。
English
to assert, to demand
Japanese
complaint
Example
He claimed he was innocent. | クレームを受け付けます。
English
clever in a deceitful way
Japanese
cheating on a test
Example
He is a cunning politician. | カンニングは禁止です。
English
vertical measurement
Japanese
high-cut (fashion)
Example
What is your height? | ハイトウエストのパンツ。
English
grip, part to hold
Japanese
steering wheel
Example
Turn the door handle. | ハンドルを握る。
English
winning card or surname
Japanese
playing cards
Example
He played his trump card. | トランプで遊ぶ。
English
short written message
Japanese
notebook
Example
I left you a note. | ノートに書く。
English
stress, strained relations
Japanese
excitement, high energy
Example
There is tension in the room. | テンションが高い!
English
office worker (used in English)
Japanese
male office worker
Example
He is a typical salaryman. | 彼はサラリーマンです。
English
gift OR current time
Japanese
gift (not presentation)
Example
This is a present for you. | プレゼントをもらった。
English
written symbol or gesture
Japanese
signature, autograph
Example
There is a stop sign. | サインをください。
English
assistance, help
Japanese
free extra, discount
Example
The service here is excellent. | これはサービスです(無料)。
Japanese
apartment/condominium
English
a large, grand house
Example
新しいマンションに引っ越しました。 | The mansion had 20 bedrooms.
Japanese
laptop computer
English
a book for writing notes
Example
ノートパソコンを持っていきます。 | I write in my notebook every day.
Japanese
electrical outlet/socket
English
permission or agreement
Example
コンセントはどこですか? | She gave her consent to the proposal.
Japanese
mechanical pencil
English
a pencil with a pointy tip
Example
シャープペンシルで書いてください。 | Use a sharp pencil for the test.
Japanese
buffet/all-you-can-eat
English
Norse seafarers
Example
ランチバイキングに行きましょう。 | Vikings explored North America.
Japanese
corn dog
English
a dog breed from America
Example
お祭りでアメリカンドッグを食べました。 | An American dog won the competition.
Japanese
gas station
English
not commonly used in English
Example
ガソリンスタンドで給油します。 | I need to stop at the gas station.
Japanese
stapler
English
a brand name
Example
ホッチキスで書類をとめてください。 | E.H. Hotchkiss invented an early stapler.
Japanese
white-collar office worker
English
not commonly used in English
Example
父はサラリーマンです。 | He works as an office worker.
Japanese
steering wheel
English
a part to grip on any object
Example
ハンドルを右に回してください。 | Turn the door handle.
Japanese
complaint
English
to state/assert something is true
Example
お客様からクレームが来ました。 | He claimed he was innocent.
Japanese
excitement/energy level
English
stress, strain, or anxiety
Example
彼はテンションが高いです。 | There was tension in the room.
Japanese
wake-up call (hotel service)
English
not standard English term
Example
モーニングコールをお願いします。 | I requested a wake-up call.
Japanese
rearview mirror
English
not standard English term
Example
バックミラーで後ろを確認します。 | Check your rearview mirror.
Japanese
licensed driver who does not drive
English
not used in English
Example
免許は持っていますが、ペーパードライバーです。 | I have a license but I never drive.
Japanese
dress
English
a single item/unit
Example
新しいワンピースを買いました。 | The furniture comes in one piece.
Japanese
sweatshirt
English
a person who trains others
Example
寒いのでトレーナーを着ます。 | My personal trainer helped me exercise.
Japanese
hoodie/hooded sweatshirt
English
a surname or pen brand
Example
パーカーを着ています。 | Parker is a common surname.
Japanese
cheating on a test
English
clever in a deceitful way
Example
カンニングは禁止です。 | He used cunning to trick them.
Japanese
sensitive, delicate
English
lacking experience or wisdom
Example
彼はナイーブな性格です。 | She was naive about the world.
Japanese
slim, slender
English
intelligent, clever
Example
彼はスマートな体型です。 | She is very smart.
Japanese
sensitive (person)
English
fragile, requiring careful handling
Example
彼女はデリケートな人です。 | Handle the delicate glassware carefully.
Japanese
chef, cook
English
rooster, or vulgar slang
Example
レストランのコックです。 | The chef prepared the meal.
Japanese
microwave
English
extent, scope, or stove
Example
レンジで温めてください。 | The mountain range was beautiful.
Japanese
French fries
English
any potato that is fried
Example
フライドポテトを注文しました。 | I will have French fries, please.
Japanese
iced coffee
English
grammatically incorrect
Example
アイスコーヒーをください。 | I would like an iced coffee.
Japanese
soft-serve ice cream
English
not used in English
Example
ソフトクリームを食べたいです。 | I want soft-serve ice cream.
Japanese
ballpoint pen
English
not standard English
Example
ボールペンを貸してください。 | Can I borrow a ballpoint pen?
Japanese
custom-made, tailor-made
English
grammatically awkward
Example
オーダーメイドのスーツです。 | This is a custom-made suit.
Japanese
one-size-fits-all
English
not used in English
Example
この帽子はフリーサイズです。 | This hat is one-size-fits-all.
Japanese
renovation, remodeling
English
to improve a system or practice
Example
家をリフォームしました。 | They reformed the education system.
Japanese
doing things at one own pace
English
not used in English
Example
彼はマイペースな人です。 | He does things at his own pace.
Japanese
part-time job
English
work (German)
Example
コンビニでアルバイトをしています。 | I have a part-time job at a store.
Japanese
group dating party
English
a business or companions
Example
明日、コンパがあります。 | We are having a group hangout tomorrow.
Japanese
overnight screening/all-night event
English
throughout the entire night
Example
オールナイト上映を見に行きます。 | We stayed up all night.
Japanese
mistake, error
English
to fail to hit or catch
Example
ミスをしてしまいました。 | I made a mistake.
Japanese
TV personality, celebrity
English
natural ability or skill
Example
彼女は有名なタレントです。 | She has a talent for singing.
Japanese
space heater
English
cooking appliance
Example
ストーブをつけてください。 | I cooked dinner on the stove.
Japanese
physical affection, bonding
English
not used in English
Example
親子のスキンシップは大切です。 | Physical affection between parent and child is important.
Japanese
wealthy person
English
famous person
Example
彼女はセレブです。 | She is a celebrity.
Japanese
energetic (person)
English
energetic
Example
彼はエネルギッシュな人です。 | He is energetic.
Japanese
something extra, added value
English
not used in English
Example
プラスアルファのサービスを提供します。 | We provide added value.
Japanese
enthusiasm, morale
English
reason or incentive to act
Example
モチベーションが上がりました。 | What is your motivation for learning?
Japanese
flat tire
English
music genre or rebellious person
Example
タイヤがパンクしました。 | He listens to punk rock.
Japanese
keychain
English
person who holds keys
Example
かわいいキーホルダーを買いました。 | I bought a cute keychain.
Japanese
plastic material
English
plastic material
Example
プラスチックの容器です。 | It is a plastic container.
Japanese
response, feedback (often exaggerated)
English
response to stimulus
Example
もっとリアクションをしてください。 | What was her reaction?
Japanese
upgrade, update
English
not standard English
Example
アプリをバージョンアップしました。 | I upgraded the app.
Japanese
post-purchase support
English
not standard English
Example
アフターサービスが充実しています。 | They have excellent customer support.
Japanese
verify, inspection
English
verify, or restaurant bill
Example
書類をチェックしてください。 | Can I have the check, please?
We use essential cookies for sign-in, security, and preferences. Optional analytics starts only if you accept.
Add to your home screen for a faster, app-like experience
Fastest option
No past conversations yet.
AI-powered support
Would you like to create a support ticket? A human agent will help you.
You've used your free messages
Sign up for unlimited AI chatAI-powered — answers may not always be accurate