Now I know that when you hear the word brand, people immediately think of top luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Burberry, etc. especially in Japan but these brands are weak... the strongest brands become so strongly linked with their product that they REPLACE THE WORD~!!!
For example, google is synonymous with search and to google something means to search for it online--even Japanese people use google suru~! That is a strong brand!!!
Probably the most famous brand is Coca-cola or Coke, when someone wants a cola people usually ask for a coke or maybe a pepsi.
Wow, it's hot~! I need a coke.
In Canada(& the US?), when people want a tissue you usually say:
"Can I have a kleenex?"
The tissue brand kleenex is so strong in Canada, we no longer ask for a tissue. In North America, when you want an adhesive bandage you usually ask for a band-aid, even if it is a different brand most people will just say band-aid.
To photocopy, many people just say:
I need to xerox some documents... (pronounced Z-rocks)
...after the famous photocopier brand Xerox.
If you find this topic interesting check out these links:
12 Brand names misused as the products themselves
and
Genericized trademark - wikipedia
By using these words you will help yourself sound more natural when speaking English~!
Have a good weekend,
Phil
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