Japanese loanwords, or gairaigo (外来語), are words borrowed from other languages—mainly English, but also Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese—adapted to fit Japanese pronunciation and katakana writing. While many are commonly understood, some obscure or specialized loanwords, often written in uncommon katakana, are used in technical fields, fashion, or subcultures and may be difficult for the average Japanese speaker to recognize. Examples include コンピューター (konpyūtā, "computer") for common use, and rarer terms in science or niche communities.
