There are many katakana words used in business Japanese that are difficult to guess their meanings just by pronouncing them. This is strange because there are so many examples of Katakana words being easy to understand. For example, “ハンドル” comes from the English word ” handle” and “ミルク” comes from the English word ” milk”.

However, some Katakana words are usually expressed in short forms which makes them difficult to understand just by looking at them. Moreover, some words mean differently from how it sounds like.

Let’s look at ten interesting business katakana words! Can you guess their meaning?
 

１. ダブルブッキング

ダブルブッキング means “schedule conflict”.

予定がダブルブッキングします。
Yotei ga daburubukkingyu shimasu
There is a schedule conflict.
 

2. プレゼン  (プレゼンテーション)

 
プレゼン is the short form of the word “プレゼンテーション”.  It originates from the English word”presentation”

明日プレゼンをします。
Ashita purezen o shimasu
I will make a presentation tomorrow.
 

3. ブレスト (ブレーンストーミング)

ブレスト is the short form of the word “ブレーンストーミング”.  It originates from the English word”brainstorming”

ブレストしてみましょう。
Buresuto shitemimashou
Let’s brainstorm
 

4. サラリーマン

 The word サラリーマン refers to an office worker. It is originated from the English words “salary” and “man”.

私はサラリーマンです。
Watashiwa sarari-man desu.
I am an office worker.
 

5. クレーム

The word クレーム refers to complain. It originated from the English word “claim” Be careful to avoid using クレーム for claiming something.

クレームを受けた.
Kure-mu o uketa.
I got a complaint.
 

6. コピペ  (コピーアンドペースト)

コピペ is the short form of コピーアンドペースト. It means to copy and paste.

テキストをコピペしてください
Tekisuto o kopipeshite kudasai
Please copy and paste the text

7. コスパ  (コストパフォーマンス)

コスパ is the short form of the word コストパフォーマンス, it refers to cost performance.

コスパがとてもいいです
Kosupa ga totemo iidesu
The cost performance is very good.

8. ソフト  (ソフトウェア)

ソフト is the short form of the word ” ソフトウェア, it refers to software. ソフトalso means softcream(ソフトクリーム).

ソフトをインストールしてください。
Sofuto  o instu-ru shitekudasai
Please install the software.
 

9. アポ  (アポイントメント)

The word アポ is the short form of the word アポイントメント, it refers to appointments.

アポをとりました。
Apo o torimashita
I made an appointment.

 

10. アンケート

アンケート refers to questionnaires, it is originated from the France word “enquête”.

アンケートに答えてください。
Anke-to ni kotaete kudasai
Please answer the questionnaire.

If you wish to further improve your Business Japanese, check out our Business Japanese Courses. Expand your Japanese Knowledge by reading other interesting blogs written by Coto Language Academy below!

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