キーホルダー
kī horudā
The Japanese word for keychain is キーホルダー (kī horudā). Wiktionary also lists キーチェーン (kī chēn).
Meaning: chain or ring (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| キーホルダー | kī horudā |
| キーチェーン | kī chēn |
The term refers to a chain or ring.
What does it mean word for word?
キーホルダー is a loanword from the English term 'key holder'.
Which one should you use?
While キーチェーン is the English word, キーホルダー is the much more common term used in Japan for any decorative item attached to a key ring.
How do you pronounce it?
kī horudā
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might call a decorative item a 'keychain', a Japanese person might call the same object a ストラップ (sutorappu) if it is a thin, strap-like charm.
- If you use the word キーチェーン in a Japanese shop, staff might look confused or assume you are talking about a heavy industrial metal chain rather than a small accessory.
- The term キーホルダー is an example of 'Wasei eigo', meaning it was coined in Japan using English words but is not used this way by native English speakers.
Examples in context
- キーホルダーを持っていますか？Do you have a keychain?
- 新しいキーホルダーを買いました。Atarashii kīhorudā o kaimashita.I bought a new keychain.
- このキーホルダーはとてもかわいいです。Kono kīhorudā wa totemo kawaii desu.This keychain is very cute.
- カバンにキーホルダーをつけています。Kaban ni kīhorudā o tsukete imasu.I have a keychain attached to my bag.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at souvenirs in a shop.
- 陽太 Yotaこのキーホルダー、いいと思う？Kono kīhorudā, ii to omou?Do you think this keychain is good?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、すごくかわいいよ！Un, sugoku kawaii yo!Yeah, it's really cute!
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、これを買うね。Jaa, kore o kau ne.Then, I'll buy this one.
- 結衣 Yuiいいと思うよ、陽太。Ii to omou yo, Yōta.I think that's a good idea, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “keychain” translations and entries キーホルダー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries キーホルダー, CC BY-SA 4.0.
