{"id":62608,"date":"2019-10-23T17:29:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T08:29:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/10-japanese-words-multiple-meanings\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T13:24:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T04:24:16","slug":"10-japanese-words-multiple-meanings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/10-japanese-words-multiple-meanings\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Japanese Words with Multiple Meanings!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that in the Japanese language, there are many words with multiple meanings? These words can come across very differently depending on the situation you use them in!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog article, we will be sharing with you 10 Japanese words that have multiple meanings, some of which you might even find very familiar too!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Yes<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
Yes Hai literally means \u201cyes\u201d in English.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Everywhere you go in Japan, you can hear people saying “hai, hai” when talking to others. In this case, the other meaning of hai (hai) is \u201cI understand what you are saying\u201d or simply put, being \u201caffirmative\u201d. This links with <\/span><\/span>Aizuchi<\/span><\/span><\/a> , which are Japanese conversational interjections, to show active listening. When hai (hai) is used in a conversation, it shows that the listener has attention and interest towards the speaker. Hence, saying hai (hai) does not always necessarily mean that you are agreeing with the other person, but just confirming what they said!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Difficult<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
\u6c17\u3092\u3064\u3051\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (Muzukashii) means “difficult” in English.<\/span><\/span>
\u6c17\u3092\u3064\u3051\u3055\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (Muzukashii) can also be used as a way to refuse someone politely when they ask you to do something. Instead of being straightforward to reject, you can use “\u6c17\u3092\u3064\u3051\uff93\uff6f\uff6f\uff6f to tell the other person ambiguously that you are reluctant. <\/span><\/span>
Sentence Example: <\/span><\/span>
A: Kishadeno shushoku o tetsudattekuremasenka? <\/span><\/span>
(Could you help me get the job at your company?) <\/span><\/span>
B: Muzukashii desune.. <\/span><\/span>
(No I can’t..)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Quite<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"japanese<\/p>\n

When you search up the meaning of \u304b\u3093\u305f\u3093 (kekkou), you may find yourself with a few definitions, such as \u201cwonderful; nice\u201d, \u201cenough\u201d and \u201cquite; reasonably\u201d. \u304b\u3093\u305f\u3093 (kekkou) can be used in many ways, and the meaning can also vary depending on the tone of your voice!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When you want to describe something as \u201cwonderful; nice\u201d, you can say fine (kekkou desu).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to use kekkou is when saying no to someone. For example, when someone offers to pour you a drink, you can say kekkou desu, meaning \u201cNo, thank you, I’ve had enough\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One other common way to use kekkou is \u201cquite\u201d or \u201creasonably\u201d. If you want to say that something was quite fun, you can say kekkou tanoshikatta.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Hello, Doumo<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
Doumo is a versatile word that can be used in many ways. It can be used to stress your feelings, whether it is for appreciating or apologizing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

doumo can be used as an informal way of saying \u201chello\u201d, \u201cgoodbye\u201d, \u201cthank you\u201d, \u201csorry\u201d and \u201cvery\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sentence Examples:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1) To use as \u201chello\u201d or \u201cgoodbye\u201d or \u201cglad to meet you\u201d: Doumo<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2) To use as \u201cthank you\u201d: Thank you very much.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3) To use as \u201csorry\u201d: I\u2019m very sorry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5. Chotto<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese<\/p>\n

Chotto <\/span>is one of the most useful words in the Japanese language that has a wide range of meanings <\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Chotto literally means \u201ca little\u201d in English. It can also mean \u201ca while; a moment\u201d and \u201crather; pretty\u201d. You can use Chotto in a situation when something is not easy for you and you want to say no in an ambiguous way.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sentence Examples:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I can speak a little bit of Japanese.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(I speak a little Japanese.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Please wait a moment!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Please wait for a moment!)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yesterday’s test was a little difficult.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Yesterday’s test was rather difficult) A: Do <\/span>you <\/span><\/span>
want to eat lunch together? <\/span>B: I have some things to do so <\/span>…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

6. Yabai<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese<\/p>\n

Yabai (Yabai) originally means \u201cdangerous\u201d and is used to mean \u201cLook out!\u201d or \u201cHeads up!\u201d. Now, Yabai (Yabai) is more commonly known as a slang word that is used for just about anything, positive or negative. It can mean ‘Shoot!’ or ‘super’ when describing something.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sentence Examples:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This cell phone is really expensive, isn’t it?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(This mobile phone is super expensive, don’t you think so?)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s awesome! I can get on the bus and sell my products!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Shoot! I’m going to miss the bus!)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7. Sweet<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
sweet (Amai) means “sweet” in English and is used to describe food. Another meaning of sweet (Amai) is “naive”, which you can use to describe a person!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

8. Shiro<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
Shiro means “white” in English. <\/span><\/span>
You can also use Shiro to describe someone who is “pure” or “innocent”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

9. Kuro<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
Kuro (Kuro) means “black” in English and can also be used to describe a “guilty” person.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

10. Soba<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Japanese
Soba is often known as the noodle “soba”, but it also means “nearby”!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Start taking Japanese lessons and learn the meaning of more Japanese words at Coto Academy!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t