Introduction

Have you ever said something in English that seemed correct, but native speakers looked confused? Maybe you said "I'm genki!" or "Let's do our best!" or "Sorry for my late reply" when you replied in 5 minutes. You translated directly from Japanese thinking patterns, but the English sounded strange or unnatural.

This happens to every Japanese English learner! Why? Japanese and English are very different languages with very different cultural logic. What makes perfect sense in Japanese might sound odd, too formal, or even have a different meaning in English. Some phrases simply don't translate directly.

Many of my Japanese students tell me stories about these translation mistakes. One student told his American friend, "You've gotten fat!" thinking it was a friendly observation (like in Japan). His friend felt very hurt! In Japanese, this comment might be acceptable between close friends, but in English, it's considered very rude. These cultural-linguistic differences can create awkward or embarrassing moments.

Today, I'll show you common Japanese phrases that don't translate well to English. More importantly, I'll teach you what to say instead! Let's fix these translation mistakes together and help you sound more natural.

Main Tips

Greetings and Daily Expressions

Japanese thinking: "お疲れ様です" (otsukaresama desu). Japanese people say this constantly at work – when arriving, leaving, passing colleagues in the hall. It shows respect for someone's hard work. But there's no direct English translation!

Wrong English: "You're tired!" or "Good job on your tiredness!" Better English:

• When arriving at work: "Good morning!" or "Hi!"
• When leaving work: "Have a good evening!" or "See you tomorrow!"
• When passing someone: Just smile or say "Hi!"
• After someone finishes work: "Great work today!" or "Nice job!"

Japanese thinking: "頑張って!" (ganbatte!) / "頑張ります!" (ganbarimasu!) This is very common in Japanese to encourage someone or to show your own determination. But "I'll do my best!" or "Let's do our best!" sounds strangely weak in English!

Wrong English: "I'll do my best!" (sounds like you're not confident) Better English:

• Before a challenge: "I'll give it my all!" or "I've got this!" or "I'm ready!"
• Encouraging others: "Good luck!" or "You can do it!" or "You've got this!"
• Promising effort: "I'll make it happen!" or "I'll take care of it!"

Japanese thinking: "元気です" (genki desu) Many Japanese learners say "I'm genki!" in English. But "genki" isn't an English word!

Wrong English: "I'm genki!" Better English:

• "I'm good!"
• "I'm doing well!"
• "I'm great!"

Politeness and Apologies

Japanese thinking: Over-apologising. In Japanese culture, frequent apologies show politeness and humility (すみません, sorry, ごめんなさい). Japanese people say "sorry" very often – even for small things or things that aren't their fault! But in English culture, saying "sorry" too much can sound like you lack confidence or you're actually admitting fault.

Wrong English (said too often):

• "Sorry for my late reply" (when you replied in 2 hours)
• "Sorry for taking your time" (during normal conversation)
• "Sorry, but..." (before every request or opinion)

Better English:

• Instead of "Sorry for my late reply", "Thanks for your patience!" or just start your email normally
• Instead of "Sorry for taking your time", "Thank you for your time!"
• Instead of "Sorry, but I have a question", "I have a question" or "Could I ask something?"

Save "sorry" for when you actually made a mistake or caused a real problem!

Japanese thinking: Excessive humility about your own work. In Japanese culture, humility is very important. When you give someone your work, you might say "つまらないものですが" (It's a boring thing, but...). This shows modesty. But in English, this sounds like you're saying your work is actually bad!

Wrong English:

• "This is my poor presentation..."
• "Here's my terrible report..."
• "Sorry, my English is so bad..." (before speaking completely fine English!)

Better English:

• Just say "Here's my presentation" or "I'd like to present..."
• If you're genuinely concerned about quality: "I'm still working on improving this, but here's what I have so far."
• Don't apologise for your English before speaking! Just speak!

Social Situations and Compliments

Japanese thinking: Refusing compliments. In Japan, when someone compliments you, you often deny it to show modesty ("いいえ、そんなことないです"). But in English culture, this seems rude – like you're disagreeing with the person!

Wrong English: Person: "Your English is really good!" You: "No, no! It's terrible!"

Better English: Person: "Your English is really good!" You: "Thank you! I've been practising." or "Thanks! That's kind of you to say."

Japanese thinking: "Fighting!" Some Japanese people say "fighting!" in English to encourage friends (from Korean/Japanese English). But native English speakers don't use "fighting!" as encouragement!

Wrong English: "Fighting!" (when encouraging a friend) Better English: "You've got this!" or "Good luck!" or "You can do it!"

Professional Situations

Japanese thinking: Overly formal email openings. Japanese business emails are very formal ("お世話になっております"). Direct translation creates awkward English.

Wrong English: "Thank you for always taking care of me" or "I am always indebted to you" Better English:

• First email: "I hope this email finds you well" or just "Hi [Name],"
• Follow-up emails: Just "Hi [Name]," or "Thanks for your reply"
• Very formal: "Dear [Name],"

Japanese thinking: "I look forward to working with you" This is correct English! But Japanese learners often use it in every single email, even casual ones with regular colleagues. In English, we usually say this only when starting a new relationship or project.

Overused: Saying "I look forward to working with you" in every email to the same colleague Better English:

• Regular emails: "Thanks!" or "Talk soon!" or "Have a good day!"
• Only use "I look forward to working with you" when meeting someone new or starting a new project

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Translation Correction

Rewrite these sentences to sound more natural in English:

1. "Sorry for my late reply!" (You replied in 3 hours)
2. "I'm genki! How about you?"
3. "This is my poor presentation about marketing."
4. "Fighting! You can pass the test!"
5. "Thank you for always taking care of me!" (Regular email to your colleague)

(Possible answers: 1. "Thanks for your email!" or just start normally, 2. "I'm doing well! How about you?", 3. "Here's my presentation about marketing.", 4. "Good luck! You can pass the test!", 5. "Hi [Name]," or "Thanks for your help!")

Exercise 2: Awareness Practice

This week, pay attention to your own English. Every time you want to say something, ask yourself: "Am I thinking in Japanese and translating directly?" If yes, pause and think: "How would a native speaker say this naturally?"

Write down 3 examples you notice this week.

Exercise 3: Natural Phrase Replacement

Choose 3 Japanese phrases you often translate directly. Write the natural English version. Practice saying the English version 5 times. For example:

• Japanese phrase: "お疲れ様です" (leaving work)
• English phrase: "Have a good evening!"
• Practice: Say it 5 times before leaving work this week!

Conclusion

Direct translation from Japanese to English often creates unnatural or confusing expressions. This is normal! Japanese and English have different cultural logic and different communication styles. What's polite in Japanese might sound strange in English. What's modest in Japanese might sound negative in English.

The good news? Now you know the most common translation mistakes Japanese learners make! You can catch yourself before making these mistakes. Remember: don't apologise too much, don't deny compliments, don't say "genki" in English, and don't translate お疲れ様です or 頑張って directly!

Learning these cultural-linguistic differences takes time. Be patient with yourself. Every time you catch a direct translation mistake and fix it, you're becoming more culturally aware and more natural in your English!

If you want personalised help with natural English expressions and avoiding translation mistakes, I'd love to work with you in a Cafetalk lesson. We can practice real conversations, and I'll help you sound more natural. You're making great progress – keep learning!