Carmen Hernández
10/08/2026
6 min 
From Sushi to Emoji: Japan Has Also Left Its Mark on the Spanish Language
When we think about the influence of other languages on Spanish, we usually imagine words that come from English, French, or Arabic.
However, Japanese has also contributed many terms that we now use completely naturally.
Some arrived centuries ago through trade between Europe and Asia. Others became popular thanks to cinema, martial arts, gastronomy, technology, manga, and video games.
What is fascinating is that many people use these words every day without realizing they originated in Japanese.
In this article, you’ll discover 25 Japanese words that are now part of modern Spanish, what they really mean, and how they made their way into our language.
How Did Japanese Words Enter the Spanish Language?
The first Japanese words began reaching Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, when Portuguese and Spanish merchants, missionaries, and sailors established contact with Japan.
Much later, during the 20th century, the growing popularity of martial arts, Japanese cuisine, anime, manga, technology, and popular culture brought many Japanese terms into everyday vocabulary.
Today, some of these words even appear in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language published by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE).
25 Japanese Words We Use in Spanish
1. Karaoke (カラオケ)
Probably the best-known Japanese word.
It literally means “empty orchestra” (kara = empty; oke = abbreviation of orchestra).
It originated in Japan in the 1970s and is now a popular form of entertainment worldwide.
2. Emoji (絵文字)
Long before WhatsApp, emoji already existed in Japan.
The word means:
- e = picture or drawing
- moji = character or letter
It should not be confused with emoticons, which are created using punctuation marks.
3. Sushi (寿司)
One of Japan’s most famous dishes.
Although we usually associate sushi with raw fish, its main ingredient is actually vinegared rice.
4. Ramen (ラーメン)
This noodle soup has become one of Japan’s most internationally recognized dishes.
Although it is now closely associated with Japan, it originally evolved from Chinese recipes adapted by Japanese cuisine.
5. Futon (布団)
A traditional Japanese mattress placed directly on the floor.
Today, many people also use the word to refer to certain types of sofa beds.
6. Bonsai (盆栽)
It literally means:
“Tree planted in a tray.”
A bonsai is not a species of tree but rather a cultivation technique developed over centuries.
7. Samurai (侍)
Samurai were warriors belonging to Japan’s military nobility.
For centuries, they played a fundamental role in Japanese history.
Today, the word is also used to describe someone who is disciplined or guided by a strong code of honor.
8. Ninja (忍者)
Ninjas specialized in espionage, infiltration, and covert operations during feudal Japan.
Movies and video games have turned them into legendary figures.
9. Tsunami (津波)
It literally means:
“Harbor wave.”
The term describes enormous waves usually caused by undersea earthquakes.
After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the word became familiar throughout the world.
10. Kimono (着物)
Its meaning is surprisingly simple.
It literally means:
“Something to wear.”
Today, it refers to Japan’s traditional garment.
11. Origami (折り紙)
The Japanese art of creating figures by folding paper.
Spanish also has the word papiroflexia, although origami is becoming increasingly common.
12. Manga (漫画)
In Japan, the word simply means “comic.”
Outside Japan, it refers specifically to Japanese-style comics.
13. Anime (アニメ)
In Japanese, it simply means “animation.”
In Spanish, it specifically refers to Japanese animated films and television series.
14. Judo (柔道)
It means:
“The gentle way.”
It was created by Jigoro Kano in 1882.
Today, it is an Olympic sport.
15. Karate (空手)
It literally means:
“Empty hand.”
The name refers to fighting without weapons.
16. Aikido (合気道)
It roughly means:
“The way of harmonizing with energy.”
It is one of Japan’s most philosophical martial arts.
17. Kendo (剣道)
A martial art based on the traditional use of the Japanese sword.
Its name means:
“The way of the sword.”
18. Sensei (先生)
Although it is often translated as “teacher” or “master,” in Japan it can also refer to school teachers, doctors, or people with great expertise.
19. Dojo (道場)
The place where martial arts are practiced.
It literally means:
“Place of the way.”
20. Tatami (畳)
Traditional Japanese mats made from rice straw.
They are still a common feature in many Japanese homes.
21. Sake (酒)
Japan’s traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.
Interestingly, in Japanese, sake simply means “alcoholic beverage.”
22. Haiku (俳句)
A traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of three very short lines.
Its simplicity has inspired writers around the world.
23. Zen (禅)
Derived from Zen Buddhism.
Today, we use the word to describe a state of calm, concentration, or serenity.
24. Wasabi (わさび)
The famous green condiment served with many Japanese dishes.
Its intense flavor often surprises those trying it for the first time.
25. Sudoku (数独)
One of the world’s most popular logic puzzles.
Its name roughly means:
“The numbers must appear only once.”
Although the game has Western origins, it was in Japan that it received its current name and achieved worldwide fame.
Interesting Facts About Japanese Words
- Japan has contributed far more culinary terms to Spanish than it did just thirty years ago.
- Emoji was chosen as the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year in 2015, although its origin is entirely Japanese.
- Many Japanese words retain their original pronunciation when adopted into Spanish.
- Some, such as karaoke and tsunami, are now used in virtually every language in the world.
- Every year, Spanish incorporates new terms related to Japanese culture through manga, anime, video games, and gastronomy.
What Was the First Japanese Word to Enter Spanish?
It is difficult to know with certainty, but historians believe that some of the earliest Japanese words entered Spanish during the 16th century through Portuguese and Spanish sailors who traded with the Japanese archipelago.
Since then, cultural exchange has continued to grow.
Learning a Language Also Means Discovering Other Cultures
At the Instituto Hispánico de Murcia, we believe that learning Spanish is not just about studying grammar or memorizing vocabulary.
Every word has a story, an origin, and a fascinating journey.
Understanding how Spanish has incorporated terms from Japanese helps us better appreciate the richness of our language and the influence that different cultures have had throughout history.
Because learning Spanish also means discovering the world through words.
Conclusion
Words travel just as much as people do.
Some cross oceans, change their pronunciation slightly, and eventually become part of our everyday vocabulary without us even noticing.
Today, it feels completely natural to talk about sushi, practice judo, send an emoji, or solve a sudoku. Yet behind each of these words lies centuries of history, cultural exchange, and fascinating connections between Japan and the Spanish-speaking world.
The next time you use one of them, remember that you’ll also be pronouncing a small piece of the Japanese language.
