トナラー / the uninvited neighbor
トナラー (tonarā) is a slang term in Japanese that describes someone who unnecessarily sits or parks right next to you, even when there are plenty of other open spots. It comes from 隣 (tonari) meaning "next to," combined with the English-style suffix -er. Whether it's in a parking lot, movie theater, or café, トナラー behavior can feel awkward or intrusive, and it’s often mentioned humorously or with mild annoyance in daily conversation.
Curious to hear more about it? Want to learn how to pronounce it? Watch or listen to Episode 13 using the below link 👇