It’s funny how language can be such a curious thing. How in one part of the world a word can mean one thing, but mean something else entirely in another. Take the word “dildo” for example. Many people would understandably feel uncomfortable discussing this rather risque term, but to me, it’s just another interesting language-based detail I find unique and fascinating.
So I wanted to find out how to say “dildo” in Japanese. If you’re curious, like me, you may have wondered the same thing but were a bit apprehensive about asking. I mean, no one wants to look rude or indecent on their quest for linguistic knowledge, right?
But, as it turns out, I shouldn’t have been so shy. I discovered that the Japanese would probably giggle at my embarrassment, as there is nothing wrong or inappropriate with the word. In fact, it’s probably not even listed under the “risque” section in Japanese language dictionaries. The Japanese have a very straight-forward way of saying “dildo”, and it’s not even a naughty word. It’s quite a regular term! In Japanese, it’s written as “ディルド”. Apparently, it’s often seen written in Japanese culture, particularly in manga and sex toys anime.
One thing I noticed about the Japanese system of linguistics is that, for them, less is more. Sentences tend to be super short and concise. Unlike English, they don’t really waste words, so their sentences can sound quite jarring to English ears. But it’s efficient.
My friend also told me that, culturally speaking, Japanese people don’t tend to censor or even think about risque topics such as sex, and instead, simply accept them as part of life. This explains why the word “dildo” isn’t even considered risque. It’s even listed in versions of the dictionary designed specifically for children!
Overall, I was quite surprised by my findings. Being able to say “dildo” in Japanese is a great accomplishment! It’s times like this I’m reminded of the beauty of language, and how much we can learn by simply immersing ourselves in other cultures.
Thinking further about the culture, I learned that the Japanese have quite a relaxed attitude towards sex and to the use of sex toys and aids. It’s refreshing to know that there are cultures that don’t view such things as taboo or inappropriate, and it’s fascinating to see how different our outlooks on sex can be.
I was also simply in awe of the complexity and history behind the Japanese language and script. For example, the old fonts and scripts – called “Kanji” – are still widely used in Japanese today. Although rather intimidating at first, I soon got the hang of distinguishing each character and understanding the meanings behind each one. It’s amazing how one single Kanji can express the same emotion as a whole sentence in English!
I noticed the influence of other cultures on the language too. Although seemingly nothing like English, there are in fact a few borrowed words from the English language. For example, Japanese people commonly use the English word “depaato”, simply replaced with Japanese characters. As mentioned earlier, the Japanese aren’t scared of simplifying their language by borrowing words from English.
In conclusion, I’m so pleased to have learned about how to say “dildo” in Japanese. What I thought would be a rather crude lesson ended up being quite an eye-opening cultural experience. Not only do I now know how to say “dildo” in Japanese, but I also have gained a much-appreciated insight into the Japanese culture (through language) and how different it is from my own.