Haha We Meet Again in Japanese
63 Must-Know Japanese Slang Words (to Sound like a Local)
Set up to enter the crazy world of Japanese slang?
Before y'all do, here's my disclaimer: some of these Japanese slang words are NSFW. They're also not to be used lightly in every chat, but to exist used appropriately with close friends and peers.
Japanese slang is often hard to learn. It's almost never taught in textbooks (and what they list as "slang" is really just casual voice communication, or very outdated). Because Japanese is such a polite language, in that location'south sometimes a misconception that slang isn't used often. But, Japanese actually boasts tons of slang words!
It's hard to teach slang because the words are ofttimes blended from a long cord of other words or pop culture references. Celebrities influence slang, the internet morphs new shorthand every day, and Nippon is notorious for shortening and combining words.
Even more than than that, depending on the region of Nihon, yous'll hear quite a departure in tones, sentence endings, and various new slang merely spoken in that region.
Only understanding slang is primal to having a deeper understanding of the language and sounding similar a native. And then, below are some common Japanese slang words, phrases, and swear words you'll hear. I've as well included some that are exclusive to Tokyo-ben (Tokyo dialect) and Kansai-ben (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe dialect), which are ii of the most common dialects spoken in Japan.
Everyday Japanese Slang
Most Japanese slang is used for descriptions, greetings, and outbursts of emotion. Unlike English, there aren't too many slang terms to call other people (at to the lowest degree not ones that are overnice to say). Yous won't really detect a translation for "dude," for instance. To be slangy with nicknames, you would typically shorten someone's name and add a cute honorific (or omit the honorific birthday).
This is office of why slang is so difficult to translate and learn: you won't find a directly translation betwixt languages, you have to larn them past context.
But these slang words tin exist heard everyday around Japan, especially among the younger generation. You'll hear them often in Japanese dramas and reality shows, likewise! And then they're piece of cake to pick up and apply and audio very natural.
A quick grammar note: slang words tin can oftentimes be written in either hiragana or katakana, but if it's an i-adjective, the "i" is ofttimes written in hiragana, even if the remainder of the word is in katakana. That's because adjectives can exist conjugated, and the part that gets conjugated is the "i." You'll run into them written in either kana, though, and both are correct.
Anway, with all that in listen, here are some Japanese slang words to get you lot started:
やばい (yabai)
やばい can mean… anything. It covers everything from "terrible", "ridiculous", and "crappy" to "amazing" and "crawly." Its literal meaning is "dangerous," but is used like "wicked" in English. It could exist both proficient and bad.
This one is incredibly common in everyday speech all effectually Japan. You'll also hear it shortened to ヤバ (yaba) oftentimes, specially by men.
ウザい (uzai)
This is the short, slangy form of the adjective うるさい (urusai), which means to be "annoyingly noisy." When information technology'south shortened to ウザイ, though, it takes on a bit of a stronger significant similar "what a pain" or "pain in the ass." (Although not as rude every bit using that phrase in English.) It tin can likewise be used to describe someone gloomy, with an Eeyore-like personality from Winnie the Pooh. It'southward used to express frustration with other people or situations, and it's oftentimes used online likewise.
キモい (kimoi)
This one is short for 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), which means something gives you a "bad feeling." 気持ち悪い is often used to describe any kind of bad feeling, like feeling sick or sad. It tin can also exist used to describe something that repulses you.
As for キモい, information technology only means "gross," "disgusting," or "ew." You can use it as an assertion like "Ew!" or say キモいだね (kimoi da ne) to say it'due south "Disgusting, right?"
イケメン (ikemen)
イケメン is used to talk about good-looking men with a very specific style. They're usually well dressed, intelligent, and slender, with croaking voices and aloof personalities. Call up of this as Japan's version of "alpine, dark, and handsome."
It's often used to talk about celebrities, simply whatever man tin can be regarded every bit イケメン. It comes from the discussion ikeru for "cool" and menzu for the English-derived discussion for "men."
マジ (maji)
マジ or マジで (maji de) is used as an assertion of "Seriously?!" or "For real?!" It comes from the word 真面目 (majime) which means "serious."
リア充 (riajuu)
This is an interesting slang term because it acknowledges just how deep we've gone into the digital era. We don't have a term like this in English! リア充 means is a portmanteau discussion for "real world", リアルワールド (riaru wa-rudo), and "satisfied", 充実 (juujitsu).
It'southward used to describe people who would rather be out in the real earth, enjoying life. Or, who are satisfied with their real life rather than an online persona. Information technology's the contrary of オタク, which means someone who is a nerd, an introvert, or a homebody who is dependent on their persona online.
オッス！ (ossu!)
If you desire a greeting closest to "What'southward up, dude?" or "Yo, homo!"… Well, this is it. It'due south a shortened form of the greeting おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu, "Good morning"). It's kind of like surfer-speak, and it's used by guys to greet each other.
半端ない (hanpa nai)
This one is used the aforementioned way やばい is. It ways "insane," "kickass," "awesome," or "outrageous." The word hanpa itself ways "halfway" or "unfinished." Since it's used in its negative form with nai, you're saying something's "non half-assed, it's whole-assed." And therefore, it'south astonishing.
ムカつく (mukatsuku)
This i comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia phrase, ムカムカする (mukamuka suru), which ways to get angry, to exist pissed off. つく (tsuku) comes from 作る (tsukuru), "to make." So this phrase is used to say something has made you pissed off, or irritated you. Information technology'southward a potent phrase, but a mutual complaint.
それな！(sore na!)
This means, "That!" or "Exactly!" Information technology's used like English slang when nosotros concord with something someone said, and nosotros only answer with "This!" Significant, we were thinking the aforementioned thing and 100% concord.
おつ (otsu)
Brusque for お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita), meaning "yous worked difficult" or "good job." You lot tin can use it as a slangy good day.
ガチ (gachi)
Used the aforementioned mode as マジ, it means "seriously" or "for real."
さいてい (saitei)
This translates as "the everyman." Only as a slang term, it'due south used to call someone or a situation "the worst!"
ずるい (zurui)
This one ways "sly" or "sneaky," just information technology can too be used as an assertion like "You suck!" Information technology expresses both disgust and admiration for someone'south sneaky behavior. Retrieve Ferris Bueller's Twenty-four hour period Off — you're a bit dismayed at his bad behavior, simply also impressed he went through with it.
微妙 (bimyou)
Bimyou means "questionable," "iffy," or even "kind of sucks." It's somewhere between まあまあ (maa maa, "so-so") and まずい (mazui, "disgusting") or ひどい (hidoi, "awful").
ウケる (ukeru)
It means "that's funny" or "hilarious." It'south actually a verb, but it's used more like "haha!" in English.
Regional Japanese Slang
Tokyo-Ben Slang
Tokyo-ben is what you hear most in the Japanese media, such as on Goggle box, considering it's considered "standard" dialect. Fifty-fifty so, Tokyo is similar New York — people from around the country motion there, and their slang gets composite together. The Tokyo region does have some slang used about often in that area, though. Hither are a few:
- ちょ (cho): Very, totally. Used like とても (totemo).
- すげー (suge-): Amazing. Information technology'south the shortened, more masculine form of すごい (sugoi).
- はずい (hazui): Embarrassing. Curt for 恥ずかしい (hazukashii).
- むずい (muzui): Difficult. Short for 難しい (muzukashii)
- うそ！ (uso!): No style! You're lying!
Kansai-Ben Slang
When near people call back of Kansai-ben, they remember of Osaka, although information technology includes all the Kansai region. It sounds more harsh than standard Japanese, considering it uses more than blunt endings like ya nen, na, and hen. At the same time, it's more coincidental and flowing because words become shortened. Here are a few you lot should know from the region:
- めっちゃ (meccha): The same as ちょ and とても, it means "very."
- あほ (aho): Idiot.
- おおきに (ookini): Thank you.
- ほんま (honma): Really?
- あかん (akan): Bad, not expert
- なんやこれ / なんでやねん (nan ya kore / nande ya nen): What's this?! What the heck?!
- おもろい (omoroi): Interesting, amusing, funny
- ちゃうで! (chau de!): It's not like that! That'due south wrong!
- しょんどい (shondoi): Tired, exhausted
Japanese Text and Internet Slang
Ah, Japanese text and internet slang. This is where things get really interesting and slightly confusing, fast. When it comes to Japanese text lingo, there's a lot of combining English letters and Japanese characters into autograph that makes no sense upon start glance. But knowing these will aid you immerse yourself in the linguistic communication online, and understand what you're reading on Twitter.
KY
KY is an abbreviation for 空気読めない, which romanized reading "kuuki yomenai." Thus, it became KY, written in English characters. It means someone "can't read the air" or is oblivious to the mood of the room or some other person.
なう (nau)
なう ways exactly what it sounds like: "now." It'due south used online to say what someone is doing at that moment, particularly on Twitter. An example: ランチなう (ranchi nau). "Eating lunch now."
ファボる (faboru)
Another Twitterverse term, information technology means "favorite" and is used every bit a verb. So, you "favorite" a tweet, or "like" a mail.
かまちょ (kamacho)
This is curt for 構ってちょうだい (kamatte choudai), which ways something like "Please let me know (if nosotros tin can hang out)". As a slang term, it's posted online as a way to say "I'm bored, allow's chat" or "Talk to me."
West
Aye, only "due west." It's the Japanese equivalent of "lol" in English language text slang. Why "w?" Because the word for "laugh" is 笑い (warai), so it starts with "w." If you wanted to say "haha" though, y'all'd use the kanji itself, ordinarily in parenthesis. Like this: (笑)
ぐぐる (Guguru)
Like in English, "Google" has become a verb. To say y'all're "googling information technology," you lot use ぐぐる in Japanese. At that place'south also the text shorthand, GGRKS. Information technology means ググレカス (gugurekasu), and ways "Google information technology yourself, scum." Information technology'southward a flake harsh, to say the least, but you'll encounter it on the net.
ドンマイ (donmai)
This is another slangy phrase that comes from English, and it means "Don't listen," "No trouble," or "It was nothing." Yous can employ it in place of 何でもない (nande monai).
KWSK
Some other mutual shorthand, information technology means "I need the details!" or "Details, delight!" It comes from the Japanese phrase 詳しく (kuwashiku), so it's the first letter of each syllable when romanized. It's used to beg someone for all the deets.
WKTK
This is used everywhere. It'south the abbreviation for ワクワクテカテカ (wakuwaku tekateka). That's onomatopoeia for your heart is racing and yous're trembling with excitement. Y'all can use this for annihilation and everything that you tin can't expect for.
乙
This obscure kanji, which translates every bit "moth," is at present used as a shorthand for お疲れ様でした, which we talked about earlier. Why 乙? Considering it's read equally おつ, which is the same slang term we covered above that means "you lot must be tired" or "thanks for your hard work." Yous'll encounter this as praise for someone online. Like when someone posts the answer to the clickbait championship of an article in the comments to salvage y'all a click.
555
Some other i based on how information technology sounds read aloud in Japanese. The number five in Japanese is ご (go). And so when writing 555, you're saying "Go, go, go!" It'due south used in online gaming primarily. But it's not the just number you'll run into pop up equally internet slang! 888 is likewise used because it's read はちはちはち (hachi hachi hachi), which is the onomatopoeia sound for clapping.
こｎ / んｐ / うｐ(kon / np / up)
Those three await like typos, don't they? But they're not typos at all! They're abbreviated slang terms. こｎ is short for こんばんは, or "howdy." The romanized "due north" is basically laziness considering to get the ん character, you have to press the central an actress time. So they get out it as the romanized "n."
As for the other two, んｐ is the same every bit English "np" which means "no problem." And うp is brusque for "upload."
Japanese Slang Insults
Use these words with care! Although some of these can be used jokingly amidst friends (guys peculiarly), don't use these words all the time unless yous want to be perceived as quite the Western loudmouth wiggle. (A real stereotype.)
- ばか (baka): Idiot.
- ダサい (dasai): Lame, out of style, dorky, or sucky.
- お前 (omae): A rude, blunt fashion to say "you." Information technology's mostly used by men to other men as an insult considering it literally means "The matter in front of me." So, this person is and then lowly they're just this thing in your manner. It's sometimes used jokingly or lightheartedly though between friends.
- われ (ware): The same os お前, merely more than common in Kansai-ben.
- やつ (yatsu): Like calling someone "guy" or "bloke." It tin can be used casually betwixt friends, but it'south too a fleck insulting because it's something yous don't have much respect for and think of as "lower" than you.
- ぶす (busu): An ugly woman. It's kind of used like "bitch" in English language.
- 悪ガキ (warugaki): Brat.
Japanese Swear Words
In case y'all feel the demand to let out a expletive under your jiff, you can do so in Japanese. Again, utilise caution with these. While くそ is quite mutual in Japanese, none of these words are safe to throw around lightly.
くそ (kuso)
This is your most common, versatile expletive word in Japanese. It ways "shit," "fuck," or "dammit," like how all of those can be interchangeable in English. It's common to hear this one muttered under someone's breath.
死ね! (shi'ne!)
This means "Die!" or "Go to hell!" It's one that you've probably heard in Naruto and other shonen anime and manga.
ファック (fakku)
Exactly what information technology sounds like: "fuck." Imported directly into the language from English language.
くそったれ (kusottare)
One of the strongest curse words in Japanese. Information technology's an insult used to call someone an "MF'er" or "shithead."
ちくしょう (chikushou)
"Son of a bowwow" in Japanese, although it tin can also be used as an assertion of "Dammit!" The literal translation is a "beast" or a "fauna."
Japanese Slang Phrases
Final up, here are some full general slang phrases that you'll hear and encounter online.
- こんちは (konchiwa): A brusque form of こんにちは, "hullo."
- 調子どう? (choushi dou?): "How are you?" or "How's it going?"
- 一だす一は？ (Ichi dasu ichi wa?): "One plus one equals?" Information technology'southward used in place of "Say cheese!" when taking a picture, and the response is "に！" (*Ni!") in Japanese.
- 一杯どう (ippai dou?): A slang fashion to ask someone if they want to catch a drink. "How about one?"
- とりあえずビール (toriaizu bi-ru): "A beer for now." It'southward such a common affair to say, it'southward go a gear up phrase in Japanese.
- 誰得 (daretoku): It more or less means "Who gets something from this?" or "Why practice this?" It'south used similar the internet slang, "Y tho?" in English language.
- 相変わらず (aikawarazu): "Same as usual" or "Same as ever." It'south kind of like saying "so-so" in response to "How are you?"
- わりいーね (warii-ne): "My bad." You can say this instead of ごめん (gomen).
Did I miss any Japanese slang or other absurd Japanese phrases you've heard or used? Share it with me in the comments!
If y'all want to learn more casual speech and slang, make sure to check out JapanesePod101. It'due south one of the all-time ways to listen and acquire phrases like these in context!
Source: https://www.fluentin3months.com/japanese-slang/
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