A controversial term that literally means “outside person.” The word is used to describe foreigners, but especially those from Western nations. The foreign community in Japan alternately abhors and embraces the term (Foreigners often call themselves henna gaijin, for example, which loosely translates to “weird foreigner”).

An entryway or vestibule. At house parties, shoes often form a jambalaya in this space, creating an excellent setting in which people can make meaningful eye contact while rummaging for their footwear. “Oop!” you say, if not drunkenly then very close, when your hand brushes against hers as you grope for your missing sandal. “Gomen!” she blurts in apology.

An informal, even gentle, way of saying, “I’m sorry,” “excuse me,” or “pardon me.” Of course, the girl in the genkan wasn’t sorry. She had been checking him out ever since he arrived three hours earlier, mutely clutching two plastic bags pendulous with the weight of a dozen Ebisu tall boys.