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young people in japan

Informal Japanese:8 most used slang words

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Hi, It’s Taka. How’s everything?
It is getting really cold in Japan and we sometimes have snow in this season.
It is beautiful and I like it sometimes, but I prefer warmer weather…
Can’t wait for the Spring to come!

As a lot of visitors of my page are interested in learning Japanese, I decided to write something about Japanese language this time.
It is kinda boring to just write about regular phrases, so I wrote about slangs that are often used among young people.
Below are the words and phrases that we use in informal situations like with friends.

  1. ウケる Ukeru (Funny,Hilarious)

    Ukeru is a very casual way of saying “Funny” or “Hilarious”.
    It could be used by both men and women and the subject can be anything(About someone, something,or whatever).

    Ex.
    この人ウケるわ! (Konohito Ukeru Wa!)
    This guy is funny!

    この漫画ウケるよね！(Kono Manga Ukeru Yone!)
    This Manga is hilarious, isn’t it!?

    ※受ける, which has the exactly the same pronunciation with different writing,
    means to receive btw.

  2. ヤバい Yabai (Dangerous, Oh crap/damn/shit/shoot/OMG, Super/Crazy)

    Yabai could be pronounced ヤバっ（Yaba),ヤベー（Yabee), ヤベっ（Yabe) as well.
    It originally means “dangerous” used in a bad situation.

    Ex.
    あの場所はヤバいよ。(Ano Basho Wa Yabai Yo)
    That place is dangerous.

    The phrase can be used when you want to say things like, oh crap/damn/shit/shoot/OMG.

    Ex.
    ヤバい、寝坊した！（Yabai, Nebou Shita!)
    Damn, I overslept!

    Young people use Yabai to exaggerate things like below.

    Ex.
    この歌手、ヤバい人気だよ！（Kono Kashu Ninki Dayo!)
    This singer is crazy popular!

    ※These days, ヤバみ (Yabami) is often used to express the same meaning as Yabai.
    The use of 〜み (-mi) is getting really popular among young people.
    Here are the examples.

    つらい(Tsurai:Hard, Sad）＋ み(mi) = つらみ（Tsurami: Something Hard/Sad)

    良さそう(Yosasou:Looks good) + み(mi) = 良さみ（Yosami: Something that looks good)

    Ex.
    失恋が悲しすぎてつらみ。(Shitsuren Ga Kanashisugite Tsurami)
    I’m heartbroken and feel really sad.

  3. マジで　Majide、ガチで　Gachide、超 Chou、めっちゃ Mettcha (Very, Really, Super, Seriously ,Extremely)

    Majide and Gachide originally mean “For real” and used to put emphasis on something.

    Ex.
    今度のテスト、マジで難しいらしいね。(Kondo No Test, Majide Muzukashii Rashii Ne)
    I heard that the next test will be super difficult.

    Chou and Mettcha are used the same way.

    Ex.
    二日酔いで、超気持ち悪いわ〜、、。(Futsukayoi De, Chou Kimochi Warui Wa~,,,)
    I’m hang over and feel extremely bad.

  4. ウザい Uzai (Annoying. It is often used to describe an annoying person)

    This word is getting less popular,but still used in casual conversation.
    ウザい comes from the word うるさい(Urusai, annoying, noisy).

    Ex.
    あの先生、マジでウザいよね。(Ano Sensei, Majide Uzai Yo Ne)
    That teacher is really annoying, isn’t he?

  5. キモい Kimoi (Gross)

    This expression comes from 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui, bad feeling).
    It is used to talk about someone/something that is gross.

    Ex.
    私の隣の男、めっちゃキモいわ。(Watashi No Tonari No Otoko, Mettcha Kimoi Wa)
    The man next to me is really gross.

  6. 微妙 Bimyou (Not very good, Delicate, Subtle, or Fine)

    This expression is often used to give an opinion on something that is not very good.
    Similar expression is まあまあ (Maa Maa).

    Ex.
    この映画、微妙だったよ。(Kono Eiga, Bimyou Datta Yo)
    This movie was not very good.A:そのドラマ、どうだった？(Sono Drama, Dou Datta?)
    B:まあまあだね。(Maa Maa dane)

    A:How did you like the drama?
    B:Not very good.

  7. 神ってる Kamitteru (Godslike)

    This word is used among teens especially when they talk about a miraculous performance like saying a big “WOOW!”.
    This slang is based on the Japanese word 神 (Kami, God) with ってる(~ing) ,making it a present progressive expression.

    Ex.
    あの子の歌声は神ってるね！(Anoko No Utagoe Wa Kamitteru Ne!）
    That girl’s singing voice is godslike!

  8. あざす Azasu (Thanks)

    This expression is used by young men, and is specially popular among sporty people.
    It is a very casual and friendly way of saying thank you to someone (usually a man to another man). Like saying, “Thanks, dude” or “Thanks bro”.

    Ex.
    A: お前、サッカー上手くなったな。(Omae, Soccer Umaku Natta Na)
    B: あざす。 (Azasu)

    A:You became good at soccer.
    B:Thanks bro.

Above are the most common phrases but there are a lot more informal words/phrases used in Japan. You might be confused to hear or see those words in Japan.
When you encounter something like that, you could ask like
これはどういう意味ですか？ (Kore Wa Douiu Imi Desk, What does this mean?)

I hope this helps you understand more about Japan.
Let me know if there are some interesting slangs in your country!

Btw, I just opened my own English/Music school in Takayama city.
It’s really exciting to share the joy of learning.
I will be working on recording my new album next month in Tokyo.
So excited!

You can listen to my music here:
Skyhigh
Soundtracks

Have a nice day!
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]