WORLD CULTURE
Bicol
Magayon Maganda
Malipot Malamig
Haluyon Matagal
Paspas Bilis
Duros Hangin
Kain Kakan/Kaon
250 Japanese Words and Phrases for
Anime Lovers
Aho (あほ): Moron in the Kansai dialect. Could
also be used to state an action is stupid.
Aikawarazu (相変わらず): As usual. The same
as always.
Aite (相手): Opponent.
Aitsu (あいつ): Rude way of saying THAT
person.
Akan (あかん): The Kansai way of saying "no
use" or "no good."
Akirameru (諦める): To give up.
Akuma (悪魔): Demon.
Arienai (有り得ない): Unbelievable.
Impossible. In the Kansai dialect, this
becomes ariehen.
Arubaito (アルバイト): Part time work.
Sometimes shortened to baito. Derived from
the German word arbeit.
Arukimasu (歩きます): Walk.
Ashi (足): Leg
Atarimae (当たり前): Of course. Naturally.
Atsui (熱い): Hot.
Ayamaru (謝る): To apologize.
Ayashii (怪しい): Suspicious
Baba (ばば): Old woman. The male version is
jiji.
Baka (バカ): Stupid. Probably the most well-
known rude Japanese swear word. The most
well-known rude Anime word too.
Bakemono (化物): Monster.
Benkyou (勉強): Study. To learn.
Betsu Ni (別に): It's nothing. Nah. Nothing in
particular.
Bijin (美人): Beauty.
Bikkuri Suru (びっくりする): To be shocked.
Suru is often omitted.
Bimbo (貧乏): Poor. Lacking money. The
opposite is kane mochi.
Bishounen (美少年): A beautiful young guy.
Bocchan (坊ちゃん): Occasionally used as a
semi-derogative slang for rich boys. Also, the
title of one of Japan's most famous novels.
Bouken (冒険): Adventure.
Bouzu (坊主): Small boy. The term actually
means young monk but it came to be
associated with young boys because young
male Japanese students used to shave their
heads bald.
… chatta (… ちゃった): This suffix is tagged
to verbs to indicate something as done and
irreversible. Could imply regret too. For
example, tabe-chatta (ate, with regret).
Chibi (チビ): Small cute thing.
Chigau (違う): Wrong. In the Kansai dialect,
this becomes chau.
Chiisai (小さい): Small.
Chikara (力): Strength.
Chinpira (チンピラ): Hoodlum. Young street
punk.
Chotto Ii (ちょっといい): Do you have a
moment?
Chou (超): A prefix meaning super.
Chousen (挑戦): Challenge.
Daijoubu (大丈夫): This means "fine/okay"
and could be used in a variety of situations,
including, "Are you daijoubu (fine) with that?"
Dakara (だから): Therefore.
Dame (駄目): Ineffective. No use. No good. Or
simply, no.
… de gozaru/gozaimasu (…でござる／ございま
す): A highly formal, largely archaic way of
ending a sentence. (Consider it the medieval
form of … desu) Nowadays, often used in
Anime for comedic effect. Such as to portray
a character as unnaturally polite, or
obsessed with medieval chivalry.
Dekkai (でっかい): Huge.
Densetsu (伝説): Legend. Densetsu no otoko.
The legendary guy.
Deshi (弟子): Disciple.
Dete Ke (でてけ): Get out!
Doki Doki (ドキドキ): An onomatopoeia
indicating the rapid thumping of one's heart.
Such as when seeing one's absolutely true
love.
Don Don (どんどん): Progressively
Fukuzatsu (複雑): Complicated. The opposite
is kan tan (簡単).
Fuzaken (ふざけん): A very rude way of
saying, don't mess with me. Often spat as
fuzakenna too.
Gaki (ガキ): Brat. Kid.
Giri Giri (ぎりぎり): Just in time. There are
many such repeated words in the Japanese
language, and linguistically, they are known
as onomatopoeias.
Gyaru (ギャル): Hot babe and derived from
the English word “girl.” Also refers to a
certain female fashion subculture involving
heavy make-up and tinted hair.
Hakai Suru (破壊): To destroy. Suru is often
omitted to form a noun form.
Hamon (破門): Excommunication. Expulsion
from a clan or guild, or Yakuza family. A
frequently used term in gangster anime and
gangland video games.
Hashiru (走る): Run.
Hayai (速い): Quick. Fast.
… hazu (… はず): Tagged to end of sentences
to imply uncertainty.
Hazukashii (恥ずかしい): Embarrassing.
Heiki (平気): I'm fine.
Hentai (変態): Pervert. Abnormal. Ecchi (エッ
チ) means the same thing.
Hidoi (ひどい): Awful. Terrible.
Hikari (光): Light.
Hisashiburi (久しぶり): Long time no see.
Hizamakura (膝枕): Hisa means lap while
makura means pillow. Combined together,
it's that heavenly scenario when a crestfallen
boy can rest his head on the lap of a girl to
be soothed.
Hontou (本当): Really? In the Kansai dialect,
this becomes honma.
Hora (ほら): Hey!
Ii Kagen Ni Shinasai (いいかげんに しなさい):
Enough of that! Stop your nonsense.
Ii Kangae (いい考え): Good thinking. Smart
idea.
Ikemen (イケメン): A handsome, charming
guy. The staple of any decent Shoujo (少女)
Anime and Manga.
Ikuze (行くぜ): Let's go.
Imi (意味): Meaning
Iranai (いらない): I don't want it.
Irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ): A Japanese
phrase world-famous for being the greeting
heard when one enters a Japanese shop or
restaurant. But within the language, it is also
an important keigo i.e. polite language.
Tanaka-san wa irrashimase ka means "is Mr.
Tanaka around?"
Isekai (異世界): An alternate world or
dimension. In recent years, the premise for
numerous popular Anime series.
Isshokenmei (一所懸命): To give it your all.
Itadakimasu (いただきます): Formally, this
means, "I humbly receive." Formally, this
means, "I humbly receive." Nowadays, this is
one of the most well-known Japanese
phrases worldwide, renowned as what
Japanese people say before eating.
Itai (痛い): Painful. Or, it hurts!
Ittai dou iu imi desu ka (一体どういう意味です
か): What on earth do you mean? Imi could
be replaced by tsumori to change the
sentence to, what on earth do you want?
Tsumori (つもり) meaning intention.
Jya Nai (じゃない): It's not. This is usually
placed at the end of a sentence.
Jibun de … (自分で): Different verbs could
follow this. But the phrase itself means "by
yourself."
Jikoshoukai (自己紹介): Self introduction. A
must-do when a new student joins a class in
high school rom-com Anime series. And often
the beginning of convoluted relationships or
romances.
Joudan (冗談): Joke
Junbi (準備): Preparation.
Jyama (邪魔): Obstruction, hindrance, a
bother.
Kachi (勝ち): Victory.
Kagayaki (輝): Brilliance.
Kakkoii (カッコイイ): Cool. The masculine
version of kawaii.
… kamoshirenai (…かもしれない): Tagged to
end of sentences to mean, "I think."
Kanashii (悲しい): Sad.
Kanben Shite Kudasai (勘弁して下さい): Please
forgive me. Please spare me. This isn't
necessarily a plead for forgiveness. Without
kudasai, it could also be a retort meaning,
"Oh, spare me that nonsense."
Kanzen (完全): Completely
Kareshi (彼氏): Boyfriend. The opposite is
kanojo (彼女).
Kashikomarimashita (かしこまりました): A
very formal way of saying "I understand" or
"Certainly" in business and service
industries.
… kashira (… かしら): Used by females at the
end of sentences to indicate uncertainty. It is
roughly equivalent to, "I think."
Kashira (頭): Boss or chief
Katagi (気質): While the dictionary meaning is
that of temperament, this also refers to
people who live a clean, honest life. Or just
commonplace folks.
Katte Ni Shiro (勝手にしろ): Do as you please.
An often heard Anime phrase during
argument scenes.
Kawaii (かわいい): Cute. Adorable. Aww!!!!!
Kawaisou (可哀相): Pathetic.
Kega (怪我): Injury.
Kesatsu (警察): Police.
Ki Ni Naru (気になる): To get worried, curious,
or intrigued about something.
Ki Ni Shinai (気にしない): Do not worry.
Ki O Tsukete (気を付けて): Take care. Be
careful.
Kimi (君): One of many Japanese words for
"you." It could both imply intimacy between
the speakers, or a condescending attitude.
Kimoi (キモい): Gross. The shortened form of
kimochi warui.
Kisama (貴様): Yet another rude way of
saying "you" in the Japanese language.
Kizuita (気付いた): To have realized.
Koibito (恋人): Lover.
Kokoro Atari (心当たり): To know something.
This Japanese phrase literally means "to have
something in your heart."
Kokuhaku (告白): To confess. Or declaration
of one's love.
Korosu (殺す): To kill. Zettai korosu means
“to definitely kill.” The latter is practically a
staple proclamation in Anime fight scenes.
Kouhai (後輩): Junior.
Koukousei (高校生): High school student.
Kowai (怖い): Scary
Kurae (くらえ): Behold! Eat this! A manga,
Anime exclamation often shouted before the
execution of a deadly technique in fights,
and sometimes sounding like "ku-rake" in the
heat of everything.
kuremasu (くれます): In short, kuremasu and
its variants of kuremasen and kurenai are
polite suffixes tagged to the end of Japanese
sentences when asking permission. It roughly
means “to hand down to me.” For example,
misete kuremasen ka? Could you let me see
it?
Kuso (くそ): An expletive quite simply
meaning, shit!
Kuuki Yomeru (空気読める): This translates to
read the air, but what it actually means is to
note the situation and ambience, such as
during a conversation. The negative version
is kuuki yomenai. A famous Anime psychic
often laments himself as being unable to do
this.
Machi (町): Town.
Mahou (魔法): Magic
Maji (まじ): Really? You serious?
Makasete Kudasai (任せて下さい): Leave it to
me. Entrust that to me.
Makeru (負ける): To be defeated. To lose. You
will more often hear this as zettai makenai,
which means "I wouldn't be defeated!"
Mamoru (守る): To protect. Shouting minna o
mamoru (to protect everybody) will more
often than not, suddenly fill a Shounen
Anime protagonist with incredible power.
Maniau (間に合う): To be in time. The
negative form is maniawanai.
Masaka (まさか): Impossible! No way!
Mattaku (まったく): This is best understood
as a mild expletive to express annoyance.
Frequently pronounced without the first
sound too.
Mazui (まずい): Adjective for something that's
highly troublesome or bad tasting.
Me No Mae Ni (目の前に): Literally, before
one's eyes.
Meccha (めっちゃ): Kansai adverb meaning
"very."
Meiwaku (迷惑): While the kanji suggests
bewilderment, the word actually means
annoyance, irritation, frustration, etc.
Mendousai (面倒さい): Troublesome. Like
other Japanese words ending with “…ai,” it is
often pronounced as mendouse. Also, one of
the pet grouches of Saiki Kusuo. (The other
being yare yare which means sheesh)
Minna (みんな): Everybody.
… mitai (… みたい): A suffix meaning, "alike."
For example, inu mitai. (Like a dog)
Mochiron (もちろん): Of course.
Moeru (燃える): To ignite.
Mondai (問題): Problem.
Moshi Wake Gozaimasen (もし分けございませ):
An elaborate Japanese phrase for “sorry.”
Moshikashite (もしかして): Could it possibly
be …
Mou Genkai Da (もう限界だ): At my/his/its
limits.
Muri (無理): Undoable, impossible,
unachievable. Note that muri could also
imply excess. As in, muri o shinai. (Don't
overdo it)
Nakama (仲間): Companion. Ally.
Naruhodo (なるほど): I see. The best Anime
phrase to utter when you have spectacularly
deduced the criminal in a crime mystery.
… ni natta (… になった): Ni natta is the
informal form of ni narimasu. It means "has
become" or "has changed into." For example,
ookii ni natta. (It turned big)
Nigeru (逃げる): To escape.
Ningen (人間): Human.
Nioi (匂い): Scent.
… no koto ga suki desu (… のことが好きです):
This Japanese phrase always follows the
name of a person or entity, and is a
declaration of love. Few high school rom-
coms are without several tearful mouthings
of this.
… no sei (… の せい ): Fault. Doraemon no sei!
Doraemon’s fault!
… no tame ni (… のために): For the sake of. In
Shonen Anime, this is almost always hollered
by protagonists at the lowest point of a fight.
For example, minna no tame ni! (For the
sake of everyone!) Ai no tame ni! (For the
sake of love!)
Nodo Ga Kara Kara (のどがカラカラ): I'm
thirsty.
Nombiri Suru (のんびりする): To take it easy.
Oiishi (美味しい): Delicious! An alternate
exclamation is umai (旨い).
Okama (おかま): Homosexual or cross-
dresser.
Omae (お前): A very uncouth way of saying
"you." Strictly speaking, this pronoun should
only be used on someone with a lower social
or family status, and in a harsh context. In
Anime, however, many male characters use
it on everyone, friends and foes alike.
Omae Kankei Nai (お前 かんけいない): None of
your business.
Omoshiroi (面白い): Interesting. The opposite
is tsumaranai.
Onaka Ga Peko Peko (お腹がペコペコ): I'm
hungry. A more formal way of saying this is,
onaka ga suite imasu.
Onegaishimasu (お願いします): Please!
Usually shorten to onegai in Anime.
Onushi (おぬし): An old way of saying "you."
Used with equals or inferiors.
Ookii (大きい): Big.
Oppai (おっぱい): Breasts.
Orei (お礼): An item or action intended as
gratitude.
Oshare (おしゃれ): Stylish. Again, note that
Japanese words such as this are pronounced
as o-sha-re. Not o-share.
Osoi (遅い): Slow.
Osoraku (おそらく): Probably.
Ossan (おっさん): An informal and sometimes
rude way of referring to a middle-aged man.
Owabi Mono (お詫びもの): A gift intended as
an apology.
Oyaji (親父): Dad. Mom is ofukuro (お袋ふく
ろ).
Pinchi (ピンチ): A borrowed word from
English, it means exactly what it sounds like.
A pinch. As in, a horrible situation with no
easy way out.
Ryoukai (了解): I understand! Roger!
Saiko (最高): The best.
Saitei (最低): The worst.
Sakusen Ga Aru (作戦がある): I got a strategy.
The “u” is very softly pronounced.
Samui (寒い): Cold.
Sansei (賛成): Agreed!
Sasuga (さすが): As expected. Used at the
beginning of sentences.
Satsujin Han (殺人犯): Murderer. Don’t you
want to be the tensai (天才) i.e. genius that
identifies the satsujin han in a Kindaichi-like
Anime?
Sawagi (騒ぎ): Disturbance.
Sawaru (触る): Touch. The negative form is
sawaranai.
Sempai (先輩): Senior.
Sessha (拙者): The olden way of referring to
oneself. In Anime, heavily used by samurais.
The word roughly means a clumsy person.
Shihai Suru (支配する): To dominate.
Shikkari Shiro (しっかりしろ): Pull yourself
together! Buck up!
Shinjirarenai (信じられない): Unbelievable.
Shinjiru (信じる): To believe in. Ore no Anime
listo o shinjiru. Please believe in my list about
Anime words.
Shinjitsu (真実): Truth.
Shinu (死ぬ): To die. Very stylish to shout the
slang version of shi-ne!!! Before pulverizing
your opponent.
Shishou (師匠): Master. As in the person who
imparted a skill to you.
Shoubu (勝負): Showdown.
Shouganai (しょうがない): Can't be helped. I
have no choice. The word is the shortened
form of shikata ga nai.
Sodan (相談): Discussion. Talk.
Soko Made … (そこまで): Used at the start of
phrases, this means "to the extent of."
Sonna (そんな): What many Anime characters
would say when told of an unfortunate or
upsetting event, although the word actually
means "that thing."
Sugi/Sugiru (過ぎる): To overdo. For example,
tabe-sugiru means to overeat. Nomi-sugiru
means to overdrink.
Sugoi (凄い): Fantastic! Incredible. Often
spoken as suge too.
Suru (する): A most powerful Japanese verb
that means "to do." It could be combined
with many other words to form new verbs.
Often used as shite (participle) and shita
(past) too.
Taihen (大変): While this means "extremely,"
said by itself it could also mean something
terrible has happened.
Tanomu (頼む): To rely on. When used in
Japanese speech or writing, this becomes
polite language, such as when asking for a
favor or when giving instructions.
Tantei (探偵): Detective.
Taosu (倒す): To defeat.
Tatakau (戦う): To fight.
Te (手): Hand.
Temee (手前): An extremely rude way of say
"you." In Anime, often shouted by
combatants before fights.
Tenkousei (転校生): Transfer student.
… to iu (… という): Called. For example,
Inaba to iu machi. A town called Inaba.
… to moushimasu (… と申します) : Said after
a name as a very polite way of introducing
oneself. For example, Watashi wa John to
moushimasu.
… to omoimasu (… と思います): I think. Often
also simplified as to omou.
Tonari (隣): Beside. Next to. Tonari no Totoro.
The Totoro next to me.
Tondemonai (とんでもない): Outrageous,
incredible, unbelievable.
Tonikaku (とにかく): Usually used at the
beginning of a sentence to mean, "anyway."
Toriaiezu (とりあえず): Usually used at the
beginning of a Japanese sentence to mean,
"meanwhile, I will …" Could also mean “I will
try doing …” or “Let’s begin with …”
Tottemo (とっても): Very
Tsugi (次): Next.
Tsumetai (冷たい): Chilly. Could also be used
to describe a person as distant, aloof,
uncaring, etc.
Tsundere (ツンデレ): Used to describe a
person who puts up a cold exterior, but is
actually nice and affectionate inside. For
some, the most ideal type of Anime waifu
(wife).
Tsuyosa (強さ): Power.
Ue (上): Ue literally means up, or above.
However, it could also be added to nouns as
an honorific. For example, chichi-ue, which
means Father. Or ani-ue, which means Older
Brother.
Umai (うまい): Informal way of saying
delicious.
Unmei (運命): Fate.
Uragiri (裏切り): Betrayal.
Urayamashii (うらやましい): Jealous.
Urusai (うるさい): Noisy. Most Anime
characters say this as uruse.
Uso (噓): Lies! I don't believe it. Etc.
Uwasa (噂): Rumor. Uwasa to iu… According
to rumors…
Wakai (若い): Young. Combined with mono
i.e. wakamono, it refers to young people.
Wakaranai (分からない): I don't understand,
or, I don't know. In the Kansai dialect, this
becomes, wakarahen.
Wana (罠): Trap.
Yabai (やばい): Oh no! Shit! Argg!
Yada (やだ): This is a condensation of iya da,
and simply means yucks. No! I don't like it! I
hate it!
Yahari (やはり): As I thought. When used as
yappari, it means as suspected.
Yakusoku (約束): Promise.
Yameru (やめる): To stop. Used by itself, it
implores the recipient to stop whatever he or
she is doing.
Yanki (ヤンキー): Young punk or young
gangster. Despite how it sounds, it doesn't
remotely mean American.
Yare Yare (やれやれ): Oh dear.
Yarou (やろう): Uncouth way of referring to
someone else.
Yaru (やる): To do. This is the less formal,
borderline uncouth and limited version of
suru. In Anime, often conjectured into yatte.
Yasashii (優しい): When used to describe a
person or a group of people, it means "kind,"
"caring," splendid," all the nice things, etc.
Yatsu (奴): A very derogative way of referring
to another person.
Yatta (やった): I did it! Yes! Alrighty!
Yokatta (よかった): Great! As in, that’s great!
Yo no naka ni (世の中に): A Japanese phrase
that means “in this world.”
Yoshi (よし): An exclamation meaning, "all
right then!" "Let start!"
Yougisha (容疑者): Suspect in a crime.
Youkai (妖怪): Japanese supernatural
creatures that could be cute, adorable,
helpful, or terrifying.
Yowaii (弱い): Weak. A yowaiimono is a weak
thing.
Yume (夢): Dream. Fantasy.
Yurusu (許す): This is more often heard within
Anime as yurusanai. Shouted in anger, it
means "I wouldn't forgive you!" Or, "I
wouldn't tolerate what you did!"
Zannen (残念): Too bad for you. This could
also be said in a sympathetic or sarcastic
way.
Zettai (絶対): Absolutely.