jologism

Jologism refers to the use of Japanese loanwords, or *gairaigo* (外来語), in the English language, particularly those that have become widely adopted in modern English. These terms often originate from Japanese culture, media, or technology and have entered global lexicon through various channels, including anime, manga, video games, and Japanese pop culture.

The phenomenon gained significant traction in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as Japanese influence expanded globally. Words like *kawaii* (可愛い), meaning "cute," *tsundoku* (積ん読), describing the act of buying books but not reading them, and *ikigai* (生き甲斐), referring to a reason for being, are examples of jologisms that have crossed linguistic boundaries. Similarly, technological terms such as *kaizen* (改善), meaning continuous improvement, and *omotenashi* (おもてなし), representing hospitality, have been integrated into business and everyday discourse.

Jologisms often carry nuanced meanings that differ from their English equivalents, allowing them to convey specific cultural or emotional contexts. Their adoption reflects the growing interconnectedness of global cultures and the influence of Japanese media on international audiences. While some jologisms remain niche, others have achieved mainstream recognition, demonstrating the dynamic nature of language evolution.