Japanese Slang: 13 Words Locals Actually Use
Japanese slang is a fun and lively part of everyday conversation that textbooks often overlook. It's the kind of language that brings a sense of familiarity and connection among friends. Learning these expressions can help you sound more natural and relatable in casual settings.
Slang sticks when you say it
Reading a slang list does nothing. Say these out loud and get corrected. That is how real Japanese lands.
13 Japanese slang words worth knowing
| Slang | Say it | What it means | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| ãã°ã used to express excitement or concern ããŪæ įŧããã°ãïž (This movie is awesome!) | yabai | awesome or terrible, depending on context | |
| ãĶãķã often used when someone is bothering you ããŪäššããĶãķããŠã (That person is annoying.) | uzai | annoying | |
| ããļ㧠used to emphasize sincerity ããļã§čĄããŪïž (Are you seriously going?) | majide | seriously | |
| ããŦ used playfully among friends ããŦãããŠããŪïž (Are you an idiot?) | baka | fool or idiot | |
| ããĒã used to describe something unsettling ããŪčŦãããĒãã (That bug is gross.) | kimoi | creepy or gross | |
| ãĪãąãĄãģ used to compliment a good-looking man å―žãŊãĪãąãĄãģã ãã (He is a handsome guy.) | ikemen | handsome guy | |
| ããĩã used to describe someone's style ããŪæãããĩãã (Those clothes are uncool.) | dasai | uncool or outdated | |
| ãã§ããŠã used to exaggerate something negative äŧæĨãŊãã§ããŠããŠæĨã ã (Today is a super bad day.) | choberiba | super bad | |
| ããŠã㊠used to describe someone who is energetic å―žåĨģãŊããŠããŠã ãã (She is in a good mood.) | nori nori | in a good mood or lively | |
| ã°ãã°ã used when things are not going well äŧæĨãŊã°ãã°ãã ã (Today is just sloppy.) | gudaguda | sloppy or unproductive | |
| ãđãīãĪ used to express admiration ãđãīãĪæŊčēã ãã (What an amazing view!) | sugoi | amazing | |
| ããããž used when someone is not putting in effort ããããžãŦããĢãĶãããĶã (Just do it carelessly.) | tekitou | careless or half-hearted | |
| ããĪããđ used to describe the atmosphere or feeling ããŪããžããĢãžãããĪããđãããã (This party has good vibes.) | baibusu | vibes |
Don't just read it. Say it.
Slang you only read stays dead. The point of slang is sounding natural out loud, and you only get there by speaking. SPAIKING lets you practice real Japanese with a coach that listens and corrects you in real time. Two free conversations to start, no card.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to use slang with strangers?
It's best to stick to standard Japanese with strangers until you know them better.