Japanese	Romaji	English	Usage/Context
おはよう	Ohayou	Good morning	Kickstart your chat with a friendly morning greeting.
元気？	Genki?	How are you?	A classic way to ask how your friend is doing.
最近、何か面白いことあった？	Saikin, nanka omoshiroi koto atta?	Anything interesting happening lately?	Starting the conversation
いや～	Iya~	Nah~	A casual way to express a laid-back “no” or to start a story.
マジ！	Maji!	No way!/Seriously?	Inject some excitement or disbelief into the conversation.
ウケル～	Ukeru~	That’s hilarious! / LOL	Show appreciation for a funny anecdote.
いいよ！	Ii yo!	Sure!	Express agreement or enthusiasm.
じゃあ	Jaa	So,	Transition smoothly into suggesting or planning something.
はいはい	Hai hai	Sure, sure	A casual agreement to wrap up the conversation.
ありがとう	Arigatou	Thank you	Express gratitude.
ごめんね	Gomen ne	Sorry / My apologies	Apologize for something.
なんで	Nande	Why	Ask the reason behind something.
わかる	Wakaru	I understand	Confirming understanding.
すご(い) / すげー	Sugo(i) / Sugee	Amazing / Incredible (Casual)	Express awe or admiration.
ねえ	Nee	Hey/ Yeah?/ Right?	Used to seek agreement or attention.
お疲れ	Otsukare	Good job / Thank you for your hard work	Acknowledge someone’s effort or work.
なんでやねん	Nande yane	What’s going on? / What the heck?	Express confusion or disbelief.
大丈夫	Daijoubu	It’s okay / I’m fine	Confirm that everything is fine.
ほんと	Honto	Really / Seriously	Express sincerity or surprise.
うるさい	Urusai	Shut up / You’re noisy	Complain about noise.
やば(い)	Yabai	Risky / Dangerous / Awesome / Woah	Express amazement, danger, or excitement.
あいつ	Aitsu	That guy / That person (Casual)	Refer to someone in a casual or sometimes dismissive way.

Test Your Ability! Japanese Informal Phrases

1. What does “おはよう” (Ohayou) mean in English?

• A. Hello
• B. Good morning
• C. Thank you

2. How would you say “How are you?” in Japanese?

• A. こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
• B. ごめんね (Gomen ne)
• C. 元気？ (Genki?)

3. What’s the English translation of “ウケル～” (Ukeru~)?

• A. Seriously?
• B. LOL / That’s hilarious!
• C. Why

4. When might you use the expression “いいよ！” (Ii yo!)?

• A. To apologize
• B. To express agreement or enthusiasm
• C. To say goodbye

5. Which phrase can be used to express disbelief or excitement?

• A. すごい (Sugoi)
• B. ありがとう (Arigatou)
• C. なんで (Nande)

6. What does “やば(い)” (Yabai) mean?

• A. Okay
• B. Risky / Dangerous / Awesome / Woah
• C. Shut up

7. How would you apologize for something in Japanese?

• A. ありがとう (Arigatou)
• B. ごめんね (Gomen ne)
• C. なんでやねん (Nande yane)

8. What’s the romaji for “いや～” (Iya~)?

• A. Ii yo!
• B. Nah~
• C. So,

9. Translate “ほんと” (Honto) to English.

• A. Seriously
• B. Good job
• C. Hello

10. Which phrase is used to acknowledge someone’s effort or work?

• A. ありがとう (Arigatou)
• B. お疲れ (Otsukare)
• C. すごい (Sugoi)

Answers For The Quiz

1. B. Good morning
2. C. 元気？ (Genki?)
3. B. LOL / That’s hilarious!
4. B. To express agreement or enthusiasm
5. A. すごい (Sugoi)
6. B. Risky / Dangerous / Awesome / Woah
7. B. ごめんね (Gomen ne)
8. B. Nah~
9. A. Seriously
10. B. お疲れ (Otsukare)

Remember that the appropriateness of slang and casual phrases depends on the context and your relationship with the person you’re talking to. It’s generally best to use these in informal settings and with friends. Additionally, the pronunciation and nuance of slang can vary by region, so some expressions might be more commonly used in certain areas of Japan.

Now armed with these phrases, go ahead and dive into the world of casual Japanese conversations! Whether you’re navigating karaoke mishaps or planning your next hangout, these expressions will add a touch of authenticity to your language exchange.

Can I use informal Japanese with strangers?

It’s generally best to use polite Japanese (です/ます form) with strangers, especially older people or in formal settings. Informal speech is reserved for close friends, family, or peers.

What are some common informal Japanese phrases?

Some popular ones include:

やばい！(Oh no!/Awesome!)

なにしてる？ (What are you doing?)

うそ！(No way!)

ほんと？ (Really?)

まじで？ (Seriously?)

How do I switch from formal to informal Japanese?

Start by shortening sentence endings and dropping particles. For example, です becomes だ, and you can drop the subject or object if it’s understood. But always be aware of the social context.

Is it rude to use slang in Japanese?

Slang is common among friends and in casual contexts, but it can come off as disrespectful if used inappropriately. It’s important to read the room and know your audience.

How can I practice speaking informal Japanese?

Try language exchanges with native speakers, watch casual anime or vlogs, or take conversation-focused classes like the ones offered at Coto Academy.