横文字
Meanings
1
horizontal script; European writing; Roman letters
Refers to writing that runs horizontally, especially European languages using the Roman alphabet. Often contrasted with vertically written Japanese script.
He pointed at the sign written in horizontal script.
This document is written in horizontal script.
2
European language; Western language
By extension, refers to a European or Western language itself, often with a nuance of foreignness or difficulty.
The menu was all in a Western language, so I didn't know what to order.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉は横文字が苦手だsomeone is bad at foreign languages/words
He's not good with Western languages, so it takes him a long time to read English materials.
- 横文字で書くto write in Roman letters/horizontal script
The sign was written in Roman letters.
- 横文字を使うto use Western/loan words
I think recent business emails use too many Western loanwords.