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23 Japanese Slang Words You Should Know :Let’s face it, if the only Japanese you learn is from a textbook, you’re going to sound like a textbook. And of course we don’t want that. We want to know the appropriate things to say and express our thoughts well, but we also want to have a bit of fun every once in a while. Especially with close friends and classmates! Today, we’re presenting you 23 Japanese slang words to get everyone relaxed and having fun!    

Before we start, I’d like to add a disclaimer. As with English slang, just because everyone is saying “YOLO” one day, it doesn’t mean that people ten years from now are still going to be saying it. Japanese slang is the same: sometimes it has a here today, gone tomorrow effect.

Also, be wary of Japanese phrase books teaching slang: the words may already be dead by the time it hits the shelves. Be that as it may, the words we have chosen to explain below still seem to be going strong after many years, so you can be rest assured that using them will dial your “cool meter” up to red hot! 

23 Japanese Slang Words You Should Know

Japanese Slang –Meccha / Chou

The textbook word for “very” is totemo, but if you’re in an informal situation, you can say meccha or chou instead. The two both have pretty much the same meaning, except meccha comes from the Kansai dialect (a breeder for cool new slang) and is a play on the word mecha-kucha (disorderly, absurd). Anything that comes from Kansai tends to be on the less formal side, so using meccha is even slangier than using chou (and, in turn, will likely get a bigger reaction for a first-time user).

Kore totemo oishii. (This is very delicious.)

Kore chou oishii. (This is really delicious.)

Kore meccha oishii. (This is crazy delicious.)

Japanese Slang – Maji de?

You may be familiar with the word hontou, which means “real.” Stick a ni at the end, and you have hontou ni (really). If you’re expressing disbelief at something you just heard, you raise the intonation at the end in the form of a question to get hontou ni?? (really??). Maji de is the slang version of hontou ni. The younger generation also uses gachi de in place of maji de on occasion. 

Hontou ni? (Really?)

Maji de? (You’re kidding!)

Gachi de? (Fo’ realz?)

Japanese Slang – Yabai!

Until you get used to “yabai” and its various usages and meanings, think of it like OMG. 

Yabai! (OMG!)

A tree falls down right in front of you: “Yabai!”

You’re racing to get your last train home for the night: “Shuuden yabai!” (“Last train, OMG!”)

It’s really freakin’ hot outside: “Atsusa yabai!” (“The heat, OMG!”)

It’s also common with young people to combine the above “maji de” with “yabai” for an added punch.

Japanese Slang – Maji yabai! (OMOMOMG!)

Technically yabai is an adjective, so anytime you think something is OMG quality, try yabai on for size.

Japanese Slang – Uzai

Uzai is a shortened version of urusai, meaning “noisy.” It can also mean “annoying,” or can use it to tell someone to “Shut up!” I would be careful with this one because even if you’re shouting at noisy neighbors, uzai still comes off as a bit harsh—almost like fighting words. The only time I’ve heard Japanese people using it is if they’re really angry, or if they’re talking about an animal or inanimate object. However, there are occasions where a group of friends will use it in a joking way in the “Shut up!” sense. 

A: Nande Keita-kun kirai na no? (Why don’t you like Keita?)

B: Uzai kara! (Because he’s annoying!)

A: Oi! Keita, chakku ga aite iru yo! (Hey! Keita, your zipper is down!)

B: Uzai na! Aite inai yo! (Shut up! No, it isn’t!)

A: Kono hebii metaru bando wa dou? (What do you think of this heavy metal band?)

B: Uzai! (It’s so noisy!) 

Japanese Slang – Kimoi

This is a word formed by clipping the words kimochi (feeling) and warui (bad) and pushing them together. It’s used to describe something or someone that gives you that icky feeling all over. It’s a bit harsh, so only use this to describe someone that is really really disgusting (like old perverts on the train) or if it’s an animal/inanimate object. However, if you’re joking around with friends, you might be able to slip it in for comedic effect.

A: E? Nande Horaa eiga kirai na no? (Eh? Why don’t you like horror movies?)
B: Maji kimoi kara! (Because they’re soooooo freakin’ disgusting!)

Japanese Slang – Bimyou

When you look this up in the dictionary, words like “delicate” and “subtle” appear in the translation, but with slang it takes on a different meaning. If someone asks your opinion on something, and you want to respond with something like “Meh!” or “I could live without it,” then bimyou is your word of choice. 

A: Makudonarudo de atarashii Happii Baagaa wa dou deshita ka? (What did you think of the new Happy Burger at McDonald’s?)

B: Bimyou. (Meh, I could live without it.) 

Also, if someone asks you something—let’s say, if you’re free on Saturday night—and you’re unsure of the answer, but you’re leaning toward the negatory, you can also say “bimyou.”

A: Doyoubi wa aite imasu ka? (Are you free on Saturday?)
B: Bimyou. (I’m not sure yet [but probably no].)

Slang is always evolving and ever-changing, but that’s what makes it so fun! You can learn new slang one day, use it for as long as it’s still fresh, and then move on to the next one. Learning new slang keeps your mind fresh and evolving with the times so that you always feel youthful and up with the times. Plus, studies have shown that learning new things and keeping your mind fresh helps you live longer! So get out there with your new slang and practice, practice, practice! 
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