Japanese words you already know

You speak more Japanese than you think. Tsunami (harbor wave), karaoke (empty orchestra), sudoku, judo, karate, ninja, manga, emoji (picture character — not from "emotion"!), bonsai, kimono, sushi, wasabi — all everyday words in Tunisia, all Japanese. Some took scenic routes. Karaoke blends Japanese kara (empty) with oke, clipped from the English "orchestra". Emoji was born on Japanese phones in the 1990s and conquered the planet within two decades. Every one of these words is written in the kana and kanji you're starting to learn. By the end of the hiragana chart, you'll be able to sound out すし and わさび on a real menu — no translation needed.