Abbreviations are words and names used by Japanese people a lot. Japanese people use abbreviated words often when speaking Japanese because they make sense and are easy to speak. Today I would like to introduce you to some of them.
アスパラ = アスパラガス = Asparagus = Asupara
パソコン = パーソナルコンピュータ = Personal Computer = Pasokon
コンビニ = コンビニエンスストア = Convenience Store = Konbini
ゼネコン = ゼネラルコントラクター = General Contractor = Zenekon
ボディコン = ボディコンシャス = Body Conscious = Bodikon
アニメ = アニメーション = Animation = Anime
合コン = 合同 コンパ (ドイツ語) = Goudou Kompanie = Goukon
スマホ = スマートフォン = Smart Phone = Sumaho
マック = マッキントッシュ = Macintosh = Makku
マック = マクドナルド = McDonald’s = Makku
マクド = マクドナルド(関西) = McDonald’s = Makudo
ロイホ = ロイヤルホスト = Royal Host = Roiho
セブン = セブンイレブン = 7-Eleven = Sebun
ファミマ = ファミリーマーケット = Family Market = Famima
バイト = アルバイト(ドイツ語) = Arbite = Baito
アイス = アイスクリーム = Ice Cream = Aisu
アキバ = 秋葉原 = Akihabara = Akiba
ポリ = ポリス = Police = Pori
族 = 暴走族 = Bousouzoku = Zoku
These are common abbreviations. Since abbreviations are often used in daily life, many are considered to have been recognized in Japan as standard words and added to the dictionary. In addition, some abbreviations have become common nouns beyond the original words.
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Japanese-Online has content suited to varying levels of study, including lessons for beginners as well as lessons tailored for those who need grammar and writing resources. Lessons are best suited to those who have basic understanding of hiragana and katakana alphabets before moving on to the more advanced grammar and particle lessons. Grammar lessons focus on learning about writing and creating more complex sentences and most lessons will not use romaji (Japanese sounds written with roman letters). Kanji is used in the lessons with hiragana and English translations provided.