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The Japanese Slang Dictionary

Submit new words to the Japanese Slang Dictionary using the submission form at the bottom of the page!

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Japanese Slang Dictionary Updates:
-8/6/08: Added Japanese Characters and useful links


A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


A

Ahou-(あほう)-An insult along the lines of "stupid" or "idiot".
Note:In Tokyo the insult is taken very seriously, while in Kansai the term is regarded a bit more friendly and jokingly. (whereas baka is the opposite).

Aitsu-(あいつ)-A very impolite way to say "that person" or "that guy over there"

Ano..-(あの。。)-A term used a lot like the English "umm...". Used to soften when making requests

Are-(あれ)-Literally means "that" (and implies mutual understanding and knowledge) but depending on the context can refer to sexual activities.

Are?! -(あれ)-Used like the English "huh?!" in a moment of surprise. Can also be used as a general "huh?" when confused.

Asoko-(あそこ)-Literally meaning "there" (and implies mutual understanding and knowledge) but depending on the context can refer to the private parts.

Atashi-(あたし)-A shortened form of "Watashi" and is commonly used by girls to say "I"

B

Baba-(ばば)-An insulting way to say old lady. Pops up often in anime.

Baito-(バイト)-Slang for "Arubaito" which is the Japanese term for "part-time job"

Baka-(ばか)-An insult in the line of "stupid" or "idiot". In Kansai it is taken very seriously, but in Tokyo is more of a friendly insult (whereas ahou is more of a serious insult).

Betsuni-(別に)-A phrase used like the English "not really" or "nothing". It can be used as a response to such questions as "Do you want to go?" or "Is it important to you?" (Be careful though)

C

Chikusho-(ちくしょ)-A basic Japanese equivalent of "Damn it." Used in timesof frustration or failure.

Choudai-(ちょうだい)-A friend to friend way of saying "can you do it for me?"

Chottoii?-(ちょっといい?) -A very soft way to precede a question (with friends or close acquaintances). Basically means "can I have a second?" (to ask something)

Chou~(超)-A prefix that means somewhere along the line of "Super" as in "Chousugoi!" (Super Cool!)

Chotto Matte-(ちょっと待って)-A colloquial and friendly way of saying "Can you wait for a second?". A lot like "wait a sec."

D

Daijoubu-(大丈夫)-A normal word but useful for saying anything from "I'm ok." to "I don't need any more food." This word is not slang and is very common.

Dame-(だめ)-A colloquial word for "no good"

Dasai-(ダサい)-An exclamation for something very uncool. I heard it had some kind of connection with Saitama prefecture. Who knows...

E

Ee-(ええ)(Falling tone)-Used in conversation to acknowledge you're listening (something important in Japanese conversation)

Eeee....-(エエ。。)(Rising tone)-Used to show disbelief in what someone is saying. "No, I really did get a new car!" "Eeeee...." (doesn't believe)

Eto-(えと)-Another Japanese way to say "Umm...." and is also used to soften up questions or requests. It's also common to make it longer as in "Ettoo....." to match the amount of puzzlement or thought.

Eroi-(エロい)-The Japanese word for perverted. It can be combined with other words to make combinations like in "eroguro" which is erotic grotesque, or something like that.

F

Faito!-(ファイト!)-A Japanese loan word translating to "Fight!" but used in the context of sports or competitions like "Do your best!". Often used like "Gambatte!"

G

Gomen Ne-(ごめんね)-An informal way of saying sorry. Please don't use this with superiors unless you want to get fired.

H

Ha, Ha-(は、は)-A bit older sound used in conversation to acknowledge you're listening (something important in Japanese conversation)

Hara Heta-(腹へた)-A Japanese slang way to say "I'm hungry".

Hidoi-(ひどい)-Used for "it's really bad" or "you're mean!" and can also extend to "messy" and others

Hora-(ほら)-Means "Look!" or "See?". If lengthened to "Horrraaaa...." (with a descending tone) can mean "I told you so...."

I

Iyada-(イヤだ)-A phrase meaning "I don't want to do it" or "I don't want to see"(disgust or fear). Usually the "I" in the beginning is omitted or shortened so much it's hard to hear.

Iya-(いや)-An exclamation for disgust.

J

Ja-(じゃ)-A phrase meaning "Well...", "So...", "Well then..." and so on. Can also mean"bye!" depending on the context.

Jaa Ne-(じゃあね)-An informal way of saying "see you later" Don't use it to teachers!

Jiji-(ジジ)-An insulting way to refer to an old man.

Jouzu desune-(上手ですね)-This literally means "You're very good, aren't you?". The only reason it'sincluded is because Japanese who say this are often just being nice. Chances are, if you can say konnichiwa without tripping over yourself you'll get this compliment sometime or another.

K

Kai-(かい)-A colloquial way of saying "desu ka". Used mostly with men.

Keitai-(携帯)-In application it means "cell phone"

Kimochi Warui-(気持ち悪い)-Literally meaning "bad feeling". This phrase can be used anywhere from feeling sick (stomach) to seeing something disgusting to seeing the creep down the street.

Ki ni shinaide-(気にしないで)-Means "Don't worry about it"

Koitsu-(こいつ)-A very impolite and confrontational way to say "This guy...."

Kora-(コラ)-A term used to get someone's attention in a harsh manner. Roll the "r" for extra emphasis.

Kure-(くれ)-Colloquial for "Kudasai" (used at the end of a request). Gives a bit of a rough tone.

Kuso-(クソ)-The Japanese way of saying "Shit". Actually a direct translation (so it can be used as a verb with suru). Doesn't have quite the negative overtone as its English counterpart.

L
doesn't exist in Japanese (Look at R for words that sound like L)

M

Maa-(マー)-An interjection used often between speaking for a break between parts."Sore wa, maa, yokattayo"

Maa Ne...-(マーね)-Used when someone asks you a question and you have an answer that's bad so you don't really want to say. "How was the test?" "Maa ne..."

Majide-(マジで)-A very popular way to say "Really?", "No way!",and so on. It's the slang version of "hontou ni" and often shortened to "Maji??"

Mazui-(まずい)-Literally used for food that doesn't taste good, it can also be applied to other things that just flat out aren't good.

Mendokusai-(面倒くさい)-A normal word used for something that's "bothersome" or "annoying".

Muri Shinaide-(無理しないで)-A phrase basically meaning "Don't overwork yourself", "Don't kill yourself" or just "Take it easy"

Muzui-(ムズイ)-A slang, shortened form of "Muzukashii" meaning "difficult".

N

Nandake-(何だけ)-Used when trying to remember something and you can't. A lot like "what was it?.." (to yourself)

Nanka-(何か)-Shortened form of "Nanika" which means "something"

Ne-(ね)-A Japanese particle that's asks for agreement as in the English phrase "....isn't it?". It's also used (most often by girls) to get other people's attention as in "Ne,ne...!"

O

Oitoite-(置いといて)-A shortened form of "OiteOite" which means "set it there for later" (like on a table)

Oi-(オイ)-An informal way (and sometimes impolite) way to get someones attention. A lot like the English "Hey!", but a bit less formal.

Omae-(お前)-Aninformal term for "you". It's definitely considered impolite to say this to anyone but you're close friends. It's also less common with girls.

Omata(se)-(お待たせ)-A shortened version of "Omataseshimashita" which roughly translates to "thanks for waiting"

Osu-(オス)-Aninformal way of greeting someone (usually used with friends). Japanese doesn't really have a set word to use instead of "konnichiwa" for hello, but this one is pretty good.

P

Purikura-(プリクラ)-The term for those colorful pictures people take in the booths and decorate their phones and bags with.

Q-There's no Q in Japanese. Sorry.

R

Rakki (ラッキ)-The Japanese way of saying "Lucky" and is used by itself to express happiness because something lucky happened.

Ryoukai (了解)-A colloquial way to say "wakarimashita" or "I understood". Has kind of a military-like tone similar to the phrases "Got it!" or "Roger!"

S

Shimatta (しまった)-Another Japanese way of saying "Damn it" when you did something you didn't mean to.

Shoganai (しょうがない)-A very common phrase meaning "It can't be helped" or "I guess I just have to (do it)"

Shokku (ショック)-A Japanese way of saying "Shock" but with a bit different meaning. In Japanese shock is always a bad feeling and carries no good meaning whatsoever. It doesn't mean "I can't believe it". Instead, it expresses kind of an unpleasant surprise.

So(u) Da Ne-(そうだね)-An extremely common phrase meaning "It is, isn't it." For girls, "Sou ne" is more common.

Suge (スゲ)-A more informal way of saying "Sugoi"

Sugoi-(すごい)-A very popular term meaning "cool!" or "wow!" or any other word in the line of "really good"

T

Teme-(手目)-A rude and confrontational way to say "you".

U

Urusai-(うるさい)
-Literally means "loud noise" but is used to mean "be quiet" or "shut up" depending on the tone.

Uruse-(うるせ)-A more rude and slang word for "urusai"

Uzai-(ウザイ)-A term referring to someone or something that is "annoying" or "bothersome"

Uze-(うぜ)-A more rude and slang word for "Uzai"

V-No words in Japanese

W

Wagamama-(わがまま)-A term for a spoiled and/or selfish person.

X-NoX words either!

Y

Yabai-(ヤバい)-An exclamatory phrase with many different meanings. It can mean anywhere from "Woah!" to "Damn" to"Really Good!" and can also be used with another adjective like "Yabai Oishii" which means "Really Delicious!"

Yabei-(ヤベイ)-An even more slang-like way of saying "yabai"

Yada-(ヤダ)-See "Iyada"

Yaro-(やろ)-An impolite and confrontation insult for a person.

Z

Zannen-(ざんねん)-Meaning "it's a pity". Often used for taunts.

Zettai-(絶対)-A common word for "definitely"

Zurui-(ずるい)-Adjective used negatively. Means something along the line of "sneaky" or "playing dirty".

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