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Japanese Loanwords from Portuguese
Explore Japanese loanwords marked as coming from Portuguese, with meanings and source notes where available.
This page gathers gairaigo with a source trace from Portuguese. That trace may appear in the sound of the word, its katakana form, or the origin notes shown on the entry.
Treat the source language as a helpful guide, not the whole history of the word. Some words have more than one path into Japanese, some were shortened, and some changed meaning after entering Japanese.
Popular entries from this source
161 entries
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スベタ
subeta
A derogatory term for a woman; also a hanafuda card term.
イギリス
igirisu
The United Kingdom; also used colloquially for Britain or England.
オランダ
oranda
The country in northwestern Europe.
オルガン
orugan
A keyboard musical instrument with pipes or reeds.
カースト
kaasuto
A caste system or caste.
カステラ
kasutera
A type of sponge cake, usually baked in a loaf.
カフスボタン
kafusubotan
Buttons or fasteners used to secure shirt cuffs.
カルメラ
karumera
A sweet candy with an airy, honeycomb-like texture.
切支丹
kirishitan
A historical term for Christianity in feudal Japan, or for a Christian.
キリシタンパテレン
kirishitan pateren
A Christian priest, especially in historical Japanese usage.
キリスト
kirisuto
Christ, especially in the standard Japanese religious sense.
ギリシャ
girisha
The country in southeastern Europe.
クルス
kurusu
A cross mark or cross symbol.
コップ
koppu
A drinking glass; also the cups suit in playing cards.
サタン
satan
Satan, the Devil in Christian usage.
サバト
sabato
The Sabbath; a holy day of rest.
サラダ
sarada
A dish of raw or mixed ingredients, usually vegetables, served cold with dressing or sauce.
サンタマリア
santa maria
Name for the Virgin Mary; also used for Columbus' ship Santa Maria.
サンバ
sanba
A Brazilian music and dance style.
ザボン
zabon
A large citrus fruit, especially the pomelo.
シャボン
shabon
Soap.
ショーロ
shooro
A Brazilian music genre, related to choro and chorinho.
トタン
totan
Galvanized or corrugated iron sheets used for roofing and siding.
トルコ
toruko
A transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula.
バッテラ
battera
Mackerel sushi or a small boat (from Portuguese).
パードレ
paadore
A Christian priest.
パン
pan
Bread and various baked goods.
天鵞絨
biroodo
A closely woven fabric with a thick short pile on one side.
ピラニア
pirania
Freshwater fish known for their sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
フラスコ
furasuko
A glass container with a wide body and narrow neck used in laboratories.
ボーロ
booro
A small, round, slightly hard cookie or biscuit that melts in the mouth.
ボサノバ
bosa noba
A style of Brazilian music derived from samba and jazz.
ボタン
botan
A small fastener on clothing or a switch to activate a device.
ミイラ
miira
A human or animal body that has been preserved after death.
ヨーロッパ
yooroppa
A continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
ロザリオ
rozario
A string of beads used in prayer, especially in the Catholic Church.
金平糖
konpeitoo
Traditional Japanese sugar candy with a characteristic star-like shape.
更紗
sarasa
A printed multi-colored cotton fabric.
合羽
kappa
A waterproof coat worn for protection from rain.
莫大小
meriyasu
Fabric or clothing made by interlocking loops of yarn.
羅紗
rasha
A thick, heavy woolen fabric or felt.
襦袢
juban
An undershirt worn specifically beneath a kimono to keep it clean and provide structure.
南瓜
kabocha
Japanese pumpkin or squash, typically with green skin and orange flesh.
歌留多
karuta
Traditional Japanese playing cards, often used in matching games.
煙草
tabako
Tobacco products, most commonly cigarettes.
メリヤスシャツ
meriyasu shatsu
A shirt worn under other clothes, typically made of knitted fabric.
如雨露
jouro
A container with a spout used to water plants by hand.
阿媽
ama
A nursemaid or female servant in East Asia.