Support This Site ☕Think you know katakana words? Think again!
Many katakana words sound like English but mean something different — like マイペース (someone who does things at their own speed, not “my pace”!). Test yourself on these tricky false friends, often called wasei eigo, with everyday words for stationery and computers.
- Type your answer in hiragana or katakana, or say it with 🎤
- Includes native Japanese audio and clear explanations
- Perfect for JLPT N4–N3 learners
Fill in the blank with the right katakana word. Type your answer, or tap 🎤 and say it in Japanese!
Q1
Your coworker asks if you will bring a computer to the meeting.
明日の会議には、＿＿＿を持っていきますね。
I’ll bring my laptop to tomorrow’s meeting.
ノートパソコン (nōto pasokon) = laptop
In Japanese, a laptop is ノートパソコン. It comes from “notebook” + “personal computer.”
Be careful: ノート alone means a paper notebook for writing. ラップトップ is understood, but people rarely say it.
Q2
Your boss gives you some pages of a document.
この資料、＿＿＿で留めておいてもらえますか。
Could you fasten these papers together with a stapler?
ホッチキス (hotchikisu) = stapler
In Japanese, a stapler is ホッチキス. The word is said to come from the name of an American company, E. H. Hotchkiss. English speakers don’t use this word for a stapler.
Q3
During a test, your friend runs out of pencil lead.
ごめん、＿＿＿の芯、1本もらえる？
Sorry, can I have one lead for your mechanical pencil?
シャーペン (shāpen) = mechanical pencil
In Japanese, a mechanical pencil is シャーペン, short for シャープペンシル. In English, a “sharp pencil” is just a pencil with a pointed tip.
Q4
A little girl is playing with her favorite stickers.
子どもがノートにかわいい＿＿＿を貼りました。
My child put cute stickers on her notebook.
シール (shīru) = sticker
In Japanese, シール means a sticker. In English, a seal is an official stamp, or a sea animal!
Japanese kids love stickers, and puffy stickers are very popular right now.
Q5
Your child drew a picture and wants to put it on the wall.
この絵、壁に貼りたいから、＿＿＿ちょうだい。
I want to put this picture on the wall, so can I have some Scotch tape?
セロテープ (serotēpu) = clear tape (Scotch tape)
In Japanese, clear sticky tape is セロテープ. It comes from “cellophane tape.” Americans say Scotch tape, and British people say Sellotape.
Be careful: ガムテープ is a wide, strong tape for boxes.
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シシャモが選びましたPicked by Shisyamo
Words in this quiz (answers inside!)
- ノートパソコン (nōto pasokon) — laptop
- ホッチキス (hotchikisu) — stapler
- シャーペン (shāpen) — mechanical pencil
- シール (shīru) — sticker
- セロテープ (serotēpu) — clear tape (Scotch tape)
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