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When studying a foreign language, one of the most interesting parts is the one that can’t be taught in lessons: words and expressions that sound hilariously strange if translated directly.
How well do you know the Japanese language? Find out by trying to make sense of these terrible translations. Take out a piece of paper, write down whatever comes to your mind and then check your answers (given below).
1.) She is a Christmas cake. (hint: you cannot eat this poor girl.)
2.) Yesterday, I bought some horizontal rice.
3.) My mouth is lonely.
4.) Did you see that barcode man?
5.) This boy is a real parasite single.
6.) My hand is leaving my throat!
7.) That was great. My cheeks are falling off.
1.) クリスマスケーキ： This term describes a woman at the age of 25 that is not yet married.
2.) 横飯 (よこめし, yokomeshi)： This is not some weird genetically modified rice. It is normal, western style food.
3.) 口寂しい(くちさびしい, kuchi sabishii)： Hearing that one might actually get the impression that your body parts have developed emotions. Just imagine your nose or eyes talking to you talking about how depressing their day might have been. Of course, this is not what this means. Japanese people use the term “lonely mouth” when referring to eating without actually being hungry.
4.) バーコード人 (バーコドひと, “ba-ko-do hito”)： This term is used for a balding man whose hair is combed over in a way that makes it look like a barcode. Were you already having nightmares about all the barcodes on your purchases taking over your apartment?
5.) パラサイトシンゲル： An adult living alone staying at their parents’ house. This term is self-explanatory … once you know what it means.
6.) 喉から手が出る (のどからてがでる, “nodo kara te ha deru”)：However scary this might sound, it is actually just the expression for wanting something terribly bad.
7.) ほっぺたが落ちる(ほっぺたがおちる “hoppeta ga ochiru”)： Don’t worry. Your conversation partner has not developed some kind of weird disease. He has only just eaten something extraordinary delicious.
The Japanese language is full of funny and interesting expressions. If you enjoyed our small test, just go ahead and do some research on your own. It is great fun.
