wasei kango

noun

Words coined in Japanese that are based on Chinese characters.

OriginJapanese 和製漢語 →
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Meanings

nounwasei kango pl (plural only)
  1. pluralplural onlyWords coined in Japanese that are based on Chinese characters.
  2. pluralplural onlyJapanese coinages using Chinese roots, not originally in use in Chinese-speaking countries nor by Chinese native speakers, but only by speakers of Japanese.

Origin

  1. Japanese和製漢語
  2. Englishwasei kango

Borrowed from Japanese 和製漢語 (literally “Japan-made Chinese words”).

More words from Japanese

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

wasei kango. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wasei%20kango

MLA

“wasei kango.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wasei%20kango. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “wasei kango,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wasei%20kango.

Source: wasei kango on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.