This Year's New Words 2020 (今年の新語２０２０)

Bran

Calling all 国語辞典マニア (kokugojiten mania, Japanese dictionary enthusiasts) - a special event was held November 30th in Tokyo called "This Year's New Words 2020 meets Japanese Dictionary Night" (今年の新語２０２０ meets　国語辞典ナイト). The editors for four of Sanseido's Japanese-language dictionaries (the Daijirin [purple slides below], the Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten [red], the Sanseido Kokugo Jiten [orange], and the Gendai Shin Kokugo Jiten [blue]) unveiled their ranking for this year's top 10 new words. Following this was a special presentation on the new edition of the Shin Meikai which just came out this month. (My copy came today!)

The countdown to the top neologism of 2020 was subsequently posted on Twitter; I've translated (or, rather, I've made an attempt to translate) each after its accompanying slide. Without further ado - here is Sanseido's Top 10:

- 10 -

Number 10 is チバニアン, Chibanian. The presentation slide gives the following definition: Name for the geological age in the middle period of the Pleistocene epoch. Period from approximately 774,000 years ago until 129,000 years ago. The last geomagnetic reversal phenomenon [when the Earth's magnetic field reverses] occurred in this era. (It means "Chiba era." Because its boundaries and features can be observed in the geological strata along the Yoro River in the city of Ichihara in Chiba Prefecture, it was suggested that its name derive from Chiba, and this received approval from the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in 2020.)

- 9 -

Number 9 is グランピング, glamping. [glamping ← glamorous + camping] Extravagant camping, spending time in a luxurious facility, a big tent, etc. (Popular in the second half of 2020.)

- 8 -

Number 8 is hard to translate, so forgive my inadequacy in coming up with an English equivalent. まである, or to even X, indicates going above and beyond a normal amount. Normally applied to nouns, the new slangy usage is to apply this to actions or descriptors. Here's how the slide handles it: 1. [Of one's own preparations] Having more than was expected. "It's not just tea, there's even cake." 2. [Connected to a verb phrase / adjectival phrase] To do something that exceeds certain expectations or standards, or the state of doing that. "I liked the painting so much that I even went to see it five times a day." Usage: Usually, 1 is only used when connected to a noun. It's better to avoid using 2 in official scenarios and formal composition.

- 7 -

Japanese is full of onomatopoetic words. Number 7, ごりごり, gori gori is one of these, best translated here as hardcore. The state of being fanatically set about a single way of thinking, etc. [Sometimes used positively to mean "hardcore", "tough and energetic", etc.] "A hardcore realist." "Hardcore science." "A hardcore sexy bass tone."

- 6 -

Number 6 is 優勝, championship. 1. [In a game, match] The act of winning first place. Winning in the finals. "Championship cup." "Achieving a new record." 2. [Vulgar] To be as pleased as can be; to have a completely satisfactory experience. "A one-pot meal and alcohol is champion." ("To be satisfied with just a one-pot meal and alcohol") [This use became more widespread in 2020.]

- 5 -

Number 5 is a word that has increased usage in English the past couple of years as well: マンスプレイニング, mansplaining. [Neologism created from man + explain.] The act of men explaining things to women and young people with a condescending attitude.

- 4 -

リモート, or remote, takes the number 4 spot. [remote = isolated in a far away place, a hard-to-reach place] Isolated in a separate (far-away) place, the act of working, studying, or doing various other actions by passing through a communication line. "To work remotely." "To participate in a drinking-party remotely." "Remote meeting." "Remote homecoming."

- 3 -

Number 3, 密, or confined / close / crowded is also a word that has taken on new meaning during this year's pandemic: To be closely cramped, to the point that the space between one person and another seems dangerous. "The three confines." "This meeting room is a little cramped." This new usage was born as a narrowed version of its initial meaning ("cramped"), in order to draw attention to the spread of the new strain of coronavirus infections in 2020. "The three confines" refer to "crowding together," "close contact", and "closed spaces." (These three things to avoid were a cornerstone of Japan's COVID-19 public awareness campaign.)

- 2 -

Number 2 is 警察, or police. I imagine it would exist on American lists of 2020-vocabulary for different reasons. 1. a. A public agency that cracks down on law violations in order to protect the safety of society. "Police officer." "Police force." b. A police officer. "The police came." 2. [~ police] [Vulgar] A person who criticizes something, inspecting specific things in detail. "Manner police." This usage became more common during 2020.

and

the

number

one

neologism

of

2020

is...

- 1 -

ぴえん, pien is another onomatopoetic word, similar to boo hoo. A light cry given when a sad thing happens. Also the condition of crying and the description of that cry. (It can also be used in a happy situation.) (Also boo-hoo-hoo.) "Nothing is left of my piece of cake, boo hoo."

The editorial staff also listed off a number of COVID-related "honorable mentions" - ソーシャルディスタンス ("social distance"), ステイホーム ("stay home"), クラスター ("cluster"), アマビエ ("Amabie" is a Japanese mermaid-like spirit from the Edo period said to emerge from the sea to warn of pandemics.), ロックダウン ("lockdown"), and 手指 (short for 手指消毒剤, or "hand sanitizer").