When you hear 'ninja' are you hearing English or Japanese?

'Ninja' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'ninja'. The word entered the English language some time around 1964.

ninja [noun] [1964]

A person trained in ancient Japanese martial arts and employed especially for espionage and assassinations

See 'ninja' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Japanese.

Etymology: Japanese, from 'nin-' persevere, conceal, move stealthily + '-ja' person

See more loan words from 1960s.