Some katakana words may look or sound like English...

But don’t be fooled — their meanings in Japanese often differ from how native English speakers would understand them!

Let’s explore 10 katakana words that might trick you, and learn what they actually mean in English and Japanese!

① 👨‍🍳 アルバイト (Arubaito)

Looks like: Part-time job

Origin: From German Arbeit (work)

🔤 Vocabulary Breakdown

💡 Cultural Insight

• Used widely by students and young adults.
• “フリーター” refers to someone who works only part-time, not a student.
• “パート” is often used for housewives doing part-time work.

Example Sentence:

がくせいの とき、レストランで アルバイト を していました。

When I was a student, I worked part-time at a restaurant.

② 💻 ノートパソコン (Nōto Pasokon)

Looks like: Notebook + Personal Computer