Japanese is considered to be one of the hardest languages to learn in the world. Studies have shown that on average, it takes about 2,200 classroom hours to learn Japanese on a proficient level, which is equivalent to 88 consecutive weeks. That being said, it remains one of the most fascinating and beautiful languages to learn as well. 

So, if you have ever caught yourself thinking, “Why is Japanese so hard to learn?” you are not alone. This article breaks down the main reasons why the Japanese language may feel difficult and shares encouragement as well as practical tips to help you power through. Whether you are just starting or stuck mid-way, here is what makes Japanese so tough — but why it is still absolutely worth learning.

Is Japanese really a hard language to learn?

Yes, Japanese is considered a hard language to learn, but only if your native language is vastly different from Japanese. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which focuses on teaching languages and cultures to US diplomats and government officials, has a system that ranks languages based on how difficult they are to learn. FSI classified Japanese as a “Super-hard language.” 

But you should take this with a grain of salt: FSI ranks languages based on how long native English speakers learn them. If you speak languages like Spanish, French, and Italian, among others that are in the same language family as English, the study hours are probably close to that.

This has numerous reasons, one of the biggest ones being that English and Japanese have very few words with a common etymological origin. 

On the other hand, those who speak Chinese or Korean, or languages that come from similar roots to Japanese, can learn Japanese more quickly.

This is not to be mistaken that the Chinese and Korean languages originate from Japan. In fact, it’s Japanese and Korean that borrow words from the Chinese language. 50% of Japanese words come from Chinese. 

Let’s compare “university” in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.

Japanese	Chinese	Korean
大学 Daigaku	大学 Dàxué	대학교 daehaggyo

The Japanese, Chinese, and Korean words for university are not exactly the same, but there is a close phonetic resemblance between the three words. For reference, it takes 3,900 hours to study JLPT N1 without kanji knowledge. For students with kanji knowledge, it takes 2,150 hours of JLPT study to pass — almost half the time!

Reasons why learning Japanese is hard 

1. Complex writing systems

The Japanese language is made up of 3 different writing systems. The hiragana, katakana, and kanji system all have their own characters and complexities, but are very necessary when learning the language. 

Hiragana 

Hiragana is usually the first writing system that you will encounter on your learning journey. In this system, the symbols represent whole syllables rather than individual sounds or words. In Japanese, words are made up of a combination of syllables, thus taking away the need for singular letter symbols. This system is the most traditional and dates back to the 9^th century. 

Katakana 

Katakana is very similar to hiragana when it comes to word formation. Once again, the symbols are meant to represent syllables; this system was mainly adopted in order to introduce syllables and sounds that were not originally part of the Japanese language. Most of the Katana symbols are inspired by those of the Hiragana system, making it easier to decipher. 

Kanji

Kanji is usually the last system taught throughout the learning curve of the language, as it is the one with the most complexity. The symbols used were originally Chinese characters and made up the first writing system in Japan. Both hiragana and katakana are evolutions of this writing system. Rather than representing syllables and sounds, these symbols are meant to represent complete words or ideas on their own, meaning that there are approximately 50,000 kanji symbols to learn before fully mastering this system. 

Read More: Hardest Kanji to Learn

2. Grammar Differences from English

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Order

One of the first things English speakers notice while learning Japanese is the change in sentence structure. While the English language typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order — for example, “I eat sushi” — the Japanese language uses a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) pattern. 

So, the same sentence we previously saw in English becomes: Watashi wa sushi o tabemasu, meaning “I sushi eat” in Japanese. This reversal often surprises learners and requires a shift in thinking. Adjusting to this word order takes time, but it is a fundamental part of mastering Japanese grammar.

English Word Order	Japanese Word Order
Subject + Verb + Object	Subject + Object + Verb

Let’s try to translate a Japanese sentence literally, based on its word order.

Subject	Subject Particle	Location	Location particle	Object	Object Particle	Verb
田中さん	は	喫茶店	で	コーヒー	を	飲んでいます。
Tanaka-san	wa	kissaten	de	koohii	o	nondeimasu
Tanaka		cafe	at	coffee		is drinking

Confusing, right? With time, you’ll get used to the sentence structure, but you might need time to adjust to it when translating whatever Japanese sentence you hear or see into your native language. 

The Japanese language often omits the subject in a sentence if it is already clear from the context, which can lead to ambiguity and confusion for English speakers who are used to always including a subject.

私は公園へ行きます。
Watashi wa kouen e ikimasu.
I am going to the park.

Imagine that you are leaving the house, and your mom asks you where you are going. In this case, it’s obvious that your answer indicates yourself, and no one else. A correct sentence often does not require a subject in Japanese, since the subject is usually implied in the context of the conversation.

園へ行きます
kouen e ikimasu.
(I am) going to the park!

Japanese particles

In Japanese, small words called particles play a huge role in showing how each part of a sentence functions. These particles indicate the subject, object, direction, or even topic of a sentence. Because they carry so much meaning in such a small form, even tiny mistakes with particles can lead to big misunderstandings. Learning to use them correctly is a crucial step in becoming comfortable with Japanese.

Examples:

• Wa: indicates the topic of a sentence
• Ga: marks the subject of the sentence
• Ni: indicates a point in time or direction
• De: indicates the location of an action
• Wo: marks the direct object of a verb

Verb conjugations and politeness

Japanese verbs change not only based on tense but also depending on the level of formality. There are multiple ways to say the same action depending on whether you are speaking casually with friends, politely to a stranger, or respectfully to someone of higher status. This can feel overwhelming at first, but it is all part of Japan’s nuanced communication style. A helpful tip for beginners is to start with the masu-form, which is the standard polite form, and gradually expand to casual or honorific forms later.

3. Politeness Levels and honorific language

Japanese is deeply rooted in social hierarchy, and the way you speak changes drastically depending on who you are talking to. This aspect of the language, also known as keigo (honorific speech), is divided into three main categories: teineigo (polite speech), sonkeigo (respectful speech), and kenjougo (humble speech). These are not just vocabulary swaps; they involve changes in verb conjugation, word choice, and even tone. Navigating these levels of formality is essential for effective and respectful communication in Japanese society. 

Quick Tip: Do not feel pressured to master all forms of keigo at once. Focus first on polite speech (teineigo), and then gradually learn the reasoning behind honorific and humble expressions. 

Read more about Japanese honorifics here.

4. Different pronunciation and pitch accents 

At first glance, Japanese pronunciation seems relatively straightforward since there are fewer sounds compared to many other languages, and most syllables stay consistent. But the real challenge lies in pitch accent. Unlike English, which relies mostly on word stress, Japanese uses pitch to differentiate words that otherwise would sound identical. 

For example, hashi can mean “bridge” (橋) with a high-low pitch pattern or “chopsticks” (箸) with a low-high pitch. These subtle differences are not always highlighted in textbooks but can lead to confusion if they are not understood. 

Quick Tip: The best way to internalize pitch accent is simply by listening to native speakers and shadowing real conversations. 

Read more about Japanese long vowels and double consonants.

5. Cultural context embedded in language

Language and culture are closely intertwined, and this is especially true in the Japanese language. Directness is often avoided; people rarely say “no” outright. Instead, soft refusals such as “chotto…” (meaning “a little…”) are used to politely decline in Japanese while avoiding all confrontation. Japanese also relies heavily on context, so what is left unsaid can be just as important as what is spoken. This means learning Japanese is not just about memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules, but also about understanding the social cues and unspoken norms that guide communication skills in Japanese. 

Quick Tip: To get a feel for these small changes, it can be really helpful to immerse yourself in Japanese media. For example, watching TV shows, anime, or dramas with subtitles helps you pick up on tone, timing, as well as the cultural nuances behind everyday language.

6. Learning and practice challenges

1. You cannot “Cram” Japanese

Unlike some fields that respond well to last-minute studying, Japanese is not one you can cram. Mastery in this skill comes from consistent, steady effort over time. This is especially true for memorizing kanji symbols and vocabulary, as they require daily review to truly stick. 

Speaking practice with native speakers is just as important, not only for fluency, but for building confidence and a natural rhythm. Keep in mind that setbacks are to be expected; they are a normal part of learning this language. The key is patience and persistence. Progress may feel slower at times, but with regular practice, it can build up in really powerful ways.

2. Not Enough Immersion

Unless you live in Japan or attend an immersive school such as Coto Academy, finding chances to practice Japanese in real-world situations can be really tough. Classroom Japanese often focuses on polite, structured language rather than real-life speech, which is full of slang, casual phrasing, and nuances. What may sound natural in a textbook might come off as overly formal in a regular conversation. 

Reading also presents its own unique challenges. For example, Japanese does not use spaces between words, which makes it tricky to separate and understand phrases at a glance. And then there are also loanwords that are borrowed from English but used in ways that can be confusing. 

Quick Tip: To bridge the gap between the textbook and natural Japanese, it is helpful to immerse yourself in level-appropriate content such as NHK News Easy, manga, or graded readers. And in order to keep your speaking skills sharp, you can try online conversation lessons or join a Japanese-speaking community.

Ready to overcome the challenges of learning Japanese?

Join Coto Academy today and turn your Japanese learning challenges into achievements! At Coto Academy, we understand that Japanese can be tough, but with the right guidance, it becomes an exciting and rewarding journey. Our experienced teachers provide personalized lessons tailored to your level and goals, helping you master everything from kanji to conversation, honorifics to pitch accent.

Fill out the form below for a free Japanese level check and consultation!

FAQ

Why is Japanese considered the hardest language to learn?

Japanese is considered to be the hardest language because it involves complex writing systems, grammar vastly different from English, and cultural nuance that you cannot find in many other languages.

How long does it take to learn Japanese fluently?

According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute, around 2,200 hours of study are needed to reach working fluency.

Is Japanese harder than Chinese or Korean?

While each language has unique challenges, Japanese is often seen as harder than Korean for its kanji and honorifics, but easier than Chinese in pronunciation.

What’s the hardest part of learning Japanese?

Most learners struggle with kanji and understanding when to use polite vs. casual speech.

Can I learn Japanese without living in Japan?

Yes, of course! Online classes, language partners, and immersion tools (such as those from Coto Academy) make it very possible to learn from anywhere.

Whether you’re just beginning your Japanese study or already at an advanced level, chances are you will still encounter unfamiliar words that leave you reaching for a Japanese dictionary. Whether it’s through an app or a traditional paper dictionary, having the right tool can make all the difference.

As interest in the Japanese language continues to grow, despite its reputation as one of the most challenging languages to learn does the number of available Japanese dictionaries. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? In this article, we will be reviewing the most popular Japanese dictionaries across categories, from paper dictionaries to smartphone apps.

What Makes a Good Japanese Dictionary? 

A good Japanese-to-English dictionary is a must-have tool for all Japanese learners. It helps us to learn Japanese faster and more efficiently. It must have 100% accuracy and be up-to-date, meaning that it must be updated every few years. Looking at the learner level the dictionary is at is also very important, as a beginner isn’t going to be using or learning the same words as someone getting ready to take the JLPT N1.

And lastly, having key features in the dictionary to help users retain more of what they are reading will be useful. This could include having some basic grammar worksheet usage. So, depending on what you are looking for, these key distinctions will help you in deciding which dictionary it is that you may need and can get the most use out of.

Looking for apps to learn Japanese? Check out these 30 apps for Japanese learning!

Best Japanese Paper Dictionaries

Traditional paper dictionaries have been used by people for many years. Because they are printed, they are a reliable source of the most accurate and detailed explanations for words and sentences.  Here are our recommended paper dictionaries for Japanese learners.

1. Kodansha’s Communicative English-Japanese Dictionary

Widely referenced as the most comprehensive English-Japanese dictionary available. It has an all-inclusive word bank of 22,000 words with the support of 190,000 sample questions. It includes Japanese translations for common words, technical terms, and even slang. Additionally, phrasal verbs, specific expressions, idioms, and related grammar points are also included. Most importantly, there is furigana to ensure users the ease of reading.
In conclusion, this is a well-rounded paper dictionary suitable for all levels of Japanese learners.

Buy Kodansha’s Communicative English-Japanese Dictionary on Amazon.

2.Oxford Beginner’s Japanese Dictionary (Multilingual Edition)

This highly rated dictionary was designed to help English-speaking learners have a comprehensive and straightforward introduction to Japanese. It covers vocabulary needed within the first year of study, has notes on grammar, and overall helps guide readers on the culture of Japan. They provide clear examples to show how the language will be used in varying contexts, and is overall well-organized. One of its key features, too, is that the dictionary is split into two sections: The first, where words are organized alphabetically in Japanese, then the second part is organized alphabetically in English.

Buy Oxford’s Beginner Japanese Dictionary on Amazon.

3. Kodansha’s Furigana Dictionary

If you are an absolute beginner in Japanese and would like a dictionary that matches your beginner level. We recommend you use this. It is a basic English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionary with 30,000 applicable basic Japanese words.
As its name suggests, there is always furigana on top of every kanji in the dictionary to assist the user as they read.
Despite having a smaller word bank, the explanations for each term are precise and comprehensive. For example, words are explained with thousands of examples of sentences. Differences in the usage of similar words are clarified in the dictionary. In conclusion, this is the first Japanese dictionary for beginners.

Buy Kodansha’s Furigana Dictionary on Amazon.

Electronic Japanese Dictionaries

If you feel that it is too troublesome flipping through thousands of pages on a paper dictionary, you may consider getting an electronic one.
Electronic Japanese dictionaries are portable, fast and with useful features such as kanji writing recognition and integrated audio. Some may also have multiple dictionaries stored. This allows you to avoid the trouble of carrying a heavy book around.

Electronic dictionaries have one big weakness – most Japanese electronic dictionaries are built for Japanese English learners. Therefore, the user interface is in Japanese most of the time. If you are a beginner in Japanese, we do not recommend you to get one.

The price of an electronic dictionary depends on its features and the number of dictionaries stored. While older models with basic functions cost less than 40 US dollars, some newer models have more features and bigger word banks are priced up to $500.

Because of the convenient translation websites and apps today, it is almost pointless to spend money on simple electronic dictionaries. As such, we advise you to purchase a newer model with better features. Specific models we recommend is Casio’s ED 9800 Series. It is the comprehensive English-Japanese dictionary series with the latest features. The latest model has the largest word bank supported by 20 English-Japanese dictionaries and 11 Japanese-Japanese dictionaries. Some online dictionaries have audiobooks attached to them, so users are able to double-check what they are saying sounds the same (or similar) to native speakers.

Best Online Japanese Dictionaries and Apps

If you are looking for an easy solution that is also free, we recommend you use an online dictionary and ap dictionary. Online dictionaries and apps only require your phone or laptop and an internet connection (some are even available totally offline). They are extremely convenient, easily accessible, and suitable for most people.
Here are our recommended online dictionaries and apps.

1. Weblio

Weblio is the largest Japanese dictionary website with about 11,370,000 words recorded. You can simply search for the English explanation of a Japanese word or vice versa. Detailed explanations from different dictionaries will be listed with example sentences, phrases, and related words. However, because of the Japanese UI, this website is only recommended to upper beginners and above.

Check out Weblio.

2. Jisho.org

This is a powerful English Japanese online dictionary with a simple user interface and easy-to-use functions. Advanced search options allow you to search for Japanese translations, Kanji, example sentences, and names.
You can also look for words by their radicals, drawings, and even voice input in both Japanese and English. And what is really great for Japanese learners is that you can identify words based on their JLPT level. Kanji from the words will also be listed on the right with their pronunciations and meanings. This online dictionary is extremely suitable for self-learners.

Check out Jisho.org.

3. Japanese Dictionary Takoboto (Android)

Rated the highest on Google Play, this is one of the best free offline Japanese dictionaries for Android. You can search for words using romaji, kana, kanji or alphabets. You can also search for the translation of complete sentences – just like jisho.org, you can search for kanji by their radicals. Other useful features, such as flashcards and custom word lists, make it even more convenient for use by learners.  If you are using an Android device, we highly recommend this app.

Check out Takaboto on Android.

4. Imiwa? (iOS)

A wordplay on the Japanese phrase, “What’s the meaning?” Imiwa is a popular free offline multilingual Japanese dictionary for iPhone. Like the one introduced above, this app also has a strong search engine that allows you to search by meaning, romaji, kanji or alphabet. Of course, you can also search for a kanji by radicals or by drawing it out. Animated stroke order diagrams, pronunciations, and definitions of the kanji will be shown in many languages.
For revision, you can review the words in your search history and create your vocabulary lists.  It is very highly rated and often suggested online.

Check out Imiwa on iOS.

5. Japanese(iOS/Android)

“Japanese” is a comprehensive offline Japanese dictionary for both Android and iPhone. It compiles every useful feature you can find in other Japanese dictionary apps. There are over 175,000 entries and 58,000 example sentences in this app, covering every Japanese word you would see. Moreover, it is more than just a dictionary. For users sitting for the JLPT or the Kanji Kentei, it has ready-built study lists for each level, getting you prepared for the tests.

Check out Japanese in iOS.

6. ALC

ALC is a well-established name in Japan’s language-learning world, known for its dependable and comprehensive resources. Its flagship online dictionary, Eijirou (英辞郎), is especially popular among professionals, including translators, thanks to its extensive database of example sentences, collocations, idiomatic phrases, and technical terms that are often missing from other dictionaries.

It’s particularly strong when you’re dealing with specialized vocabulary or need to understand how a term is used in different contexts. 

Check out ALC.

7. Nihongo

If you’re learning Japanese and use a phone or iPad, Nihongo is one of the best dictionary apps you can get your hands on. Created by developer and Japanese learner Chris Vasselli, the app is designed with learners in mind.

What makes Nihongo stand out is its seamless mix of dictionary and study tools. It automatically creates flashcards from words you look up, lets you add photos to help with memory, and shows whether a word is common, uncommon, or rare. 

There are also some clever features that make learning smoother. The app includes a Safari extension that adds furigana to kanji on websites, a handwriting tool for when you don’t know a kanji’s reading, and a “Clippings” feature that lets you save real Japanese text and study it later. You can even trace words you’ve saved back to the original content they came from. 

Check out Nihongo.

8. Kotobank

Kotobank is a Japanese-language online encyclopedia that lets you search across a wide range of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and databases.

It’s a go-to tool when you want quick, reliable definitions or need to better understand the deeper meaning of a Japanese term. The definitions often provide more nuance and cultural context than you’d get from a simple translation. 

Check out Kotobank.

9. Linguee

Linguee is a free online dictionary that supports multiple language pairs, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and more, translated from English. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require an account or login, which makes it a convenient tool for quick lookups.

What really sets Linguee apart is its vast number of example sentences. In addition to basic, tool-generated examples, it pulls real-world sentences from external sources like multilingual websites. These examples provide richer context and help you see how a word or phrase is actually used in natural writing. While not every translation is perfect—since most aren’t manually reviewed—it’s still an excellent resource for learners. 

Check out Linguee.

10. Tagaini Jisho

Tagaini Jisho is a free Japanese-English dictionary app available for both Mac and Windows. While its interface may look a bit old, it’s packed with features that are especially useful for serious learners. You can filter vocabulary by JLPT level, parts of speech, or kanji elements, making it great for targeted study. It even includes kanji stroke order animations to help with writing practice.

Other standout features include the ability to add custom tags and notes to entries, create flashcards, and even print out study booklets using foldable templates. These print-friendly sheets are perfect if you prefer offline learning or want something to carry around in your pocket.

Check out Tagaini Jisho.

11. Shirabe Jisho (iOS)  

“Shirabe Jisho” is owned by the same users who made Jisho.org, so now having a mobile interface that can be used in both Japanese-English or English-Japanese makes it all the better in our books. Its reliability stands out for users as well, with it having 4.9 stars out of 5 with over 7,500 ratings. 

Check out Shirabe Jisho.

Ready to Learn Japanese? Join Coto Academy!

There are many ways to go about learning Japanese, let alone many options for dictionaries. Take time for yourself and think about what will work best for you and your learning needs before you purchase your next dictionary. What are some features that you think will help you better comprehend Japanese? You could maybe trial a few to see what works best for you before totally submitting to one! 

If you’re looking for in-person practice or one-on-one help from a native speaker, Coto Academy may be what you need! With in-person classes or private online courses, Coto has a variety of options based on your needs to help you learn Japanese culture and language with ease!

If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below. Courses can be found here.

FAQ

How do I translate Japanese words into English?

While it may vary dictionary-to-dictionary, most Japanese to English dictionaries have it so you can type or paste in the search box to be provided an instant search result. When it comes to physical dictionaries though, you can look it up alphabetically with the Japanese word. 

How do I search for Japanese words and kanji?

There are many ways of doing this, especially depending on if it’s a physical or e-book. Sometimes you can look it up using a search box, by category, stroke count, or by radicals. 

Should you take the JLPT N5 exam?

Through studying Japanese, taking the JLPT N5 exam may be a great way to stay motivated and see your hard work get good use. It is a good learning experience regardless of the score received, and helps to build structure in your learning goals and skills. 

What is the Japanese word for dictionary?

The Japanese word for dictionary is 辞書（じしょ / jisho).

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Looking for a fun way to improve your Japanese enunciation? Japanese tongue twisters, or hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), are short, challenging phrases that help train your tongue, improve fluency, and boost confidence when speaking. Try one a day and make it part of your study routine — yes, even while performing your oral hygiene routine !

Hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), which translates to “fast mouth (hayakuchi) words (kotoba).” Just like Japanese slang, learning these tongue twisters is a fun and exciting way to practice speaking the language. Specifically, it helps condition you to make that Japanese pronunciation you’ve wanted to nail. You can make it your daily routine to repeat one tongue twister daily. That’s right — we want you to start saying “Kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da” while brushing your teeth and doing laundry. Totally normal stuff. 

There are many popular tongue twisters in English — let’s not forget the classic “She sells seashells by the seashore” — but what about Japanese tongue twisters? We’ve organized these Japanese tongue twisters in their order of difficulty. It’s time to try these tongue twisters to track your trek. (See what we just did there?)

Whether you’re a complete beginner or already enrolled in lessons at Coto Academy, adding a daily tongue twister to your study routine is a great way to level up your speaking skills.

Practicing tongue twisters is an effective and fun way to train your mouth muscles and improve pronunciation.

Easy Japanese Tongue Twisters – Warm-Up Twisters

These few Japanese tongue twisters are relatively easy to master. You need to be careful of the sudden consonant changes and those few repetitive consonants. Otherwise, their shorter length helps beginners and aspiring tongue-twister-enthusiast to catch their breath. 

1. 生麦生米生卵

Pronunciation: namamugi namagome namatamago

Hiragana: なま むぎなまごめなまたまご

English Translation: Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg. 

2. 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書いた

Pronunciation: bouzu ga byoubu ni jouzu ni bouzu no e o kaita

Hiragana: ぼうずがびょうぶにじょうずにぼうずのえをかいた

English Translation: The monk skillfully drew a picture of a monk on a screen

3. 赤巻紙, 黄巻紙, 青巻紙 

Pronunciation: akamakigami, kimakigami, aomakigami

Hiragana: あかまきがみきまきがみあおまきがみ

English Translation: Red scroll, yellow scroll, blue scroll

4. バスガス爆発 

Pronunciation: Basu gasu bakuhatsu

Hiragana: バスガスばくはつ

English translation: Bus gas explosion

5. ブタがブタをぶったのでぶたれたブタがぶったブタをぶった。

Pronunciation: buta ga buta o butta node butareta buta ga butta buta o butta.

English Translation: The pig beat the pig. Therefore, the beaten pig beat the beater pig.

6. 赤パジャマ黄パジャマ茶パジャマ

Pronunciation: aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama

Hiragana: あかぱじゃま　きぱじゃま　ちゃぱじゃま

English Translation: Red pajamas, yellow pajamas, and brown pajamas

Intermediate Japanese Tongue Twisters – Tongue Gym Level

Is rolling your tongue for the above phrases too much of a breeze? We’ll bump up the difficulty a notch. These tongue twisters are only getting longer, with more repetitive and similar consonants.

Getting used to the rhythm of Japanese through tongue twisters is a great start — but don’t stop there! Here are 48 useful Japanese phrases you can actually use in real conversations to reinforce your speaking confidence.

7. この釘は引き抜きにくい釘だ 

Pronunciation: kono kugi wa hikinuki nikui kugi da

Hiragana: このくぎはひきぬきにくいくぎだ

English Translation: This nail is difficult to pull out.

8. 李も桃、桃も桃、李も桃も桃のうち。

Pronunciation: sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi.

Hiragana: すもももももももももも、すもももももももものうち。

English translation: A Japanese plum is a peach, a peach is also a peach, and both Japanese plums and peaches are a kind of peach. 

9. 蛙ぴょこぴょこ三ぴょこぴょこ合わせてぴょこぴょこ六ぴょこぴょこ

Pronunciation: Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko

Hiragana: かえるぴょこぴょこみぴょこぴょこあわせてぴょこぴょこむぴょこぴょこ

English translation: The frogs jump, three (times) jump, together jump, six (times) jump.

10. バナナの謎はまだ謎なのだぞ

Pronunciation: banana no nazo wa mada nazo na no da zo

Hiragana: ばななのなぞは、まだなぞなのだぞ

English Translation: The mystery of the banana is still a mystery

11. 鹿もカモシカも鹿の仲間, しかしアシカは鹿ではない 

Pronunciation: shika mo kamoshika mo shika no nakama, shikashi ashika wa shika de wa nai

Hiragana: しかもかもしかもしかのなかま、しかしあしかはしかではない

English Translation: both the deer and the antelope are part of the deer family, but surely the sea lion is not a deer

12. 飲むなら乗るな、乗るなら飲むな。

Pronunciation: Nomu nara noru na, noru nara nomu na.

Hiragana: のおむならのるな、のるならのむな

English Transaction: If you drink don’t drive, if you drive don’t drink.

13. 親亀の上に子亀、子亀の上に孫亀。

Pronunciation: Oyagame no ue ni kogame, kogame no ue ni magogame.

Hiragana: おやがめのうえにこがめ、こがめのうえにまごがめ。

English Translation: The parent turtle is the child turtle, and the child turtle is the grandchild turtle.

Hardest Japanese Tongue Twisters – Twisted Tongue Mastery

These tongue twisters require more focus and practice. Still, even if you don’t speak any Japanese, that doesn’t mean you can’t try out some of these!

These tongue twisters are a great way to train your articulation, but real progress comes from regular exposure to natural spoken Japanese. If you’re ready for a challenge, try listening to the Bilingual News podcast, where the hosts casually switch between Japanese and English — perfect for intermediate learners!

14. タコベルのタコは高くなかった

Pronunciation: takoberu no tako wa takakunakatta

Hiragana: タコベルのたこはたかくなかった。

English Translation: Taco Bell’s tacos aren’t expensive at all.

15. にゃんこ、子にゃんこ、孫にゃんこ、ひ孫にゃんこ。

Pronunciation: nyanko, konyanko, magonyanko, himagonyanko.

Hiragana: にゃんこ、こにゃんこ、まごにゃんこ、ひまごにゃんこ。

English translation: Kitty, kitten, grand-kitten, great-grand kitten.

16. シャンソン歌手、新春シャンソンショー

Pronunciation: Shanson kashu, shinshun shansonshu.

Hiragana: しゃんそんかしゅ、しんしゅんシャションシュー

English Translation: Chanson singer, New Year chanson show.

17. 暖かくなかったから、暖かい服を使った

Pronunciation: Atatakakunakattakara, atatakai fuku o tsukatta

Hiragana: あたたかくなかったから、あたたかいふくをつかった。

English transaction: Because it wasn’t warm, I used warm clothes.

Notice that the word atatakai (warm) is heavily modified? This is because Japanese i-adjectives conjugate themselves. To learn more about this, visit our guide to Japanese adjectives. 

18. 右目右耳 右耳右目

Pronunciation: Migime migi mimi migi mimi migi me

Hiragana: みぎめみぎみみみぎみみみぎめ

English translation: Right eye, right ear, right ear, right eye

19. 隣りの客はよく柿食う客だ 

Pronunciation: tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da

Hiragana: となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ

English translation: The guest next door eats a lot of persimmons

20. この竹垣に竹立て掛けたのは竹立て掛けたかったから、竹立て掛けた

Pronunciation: kono takegaki ni take tatekaketa no wa take tatekaketakattakara , take tatekaketa

Hiragana: このたけがきにたけたてかけたのはたけたてかけたかったから、たけたてかけた

English Translation: I laid this bamboo against the bamboo fence because I wanted to lay bamboo against it

21. 裏庭には二羽, 庭には二羽鶏がいる

Pronunciation: ura niwa ni wa niwa, niwa ni wa niwa niwatori ga iru

Hiragana: うらにわにわにわにわにわにわにわとりがいる

English Translation: There are two chickens in the backyard and two chickens in the front yard

22. 東京特許許可局長

Pronunciation: toukyou tokkyo kyokakyokuchou

Hiragana: とうきょうとっきょきょかきょくちょう

English translation: Director of Tokyo Patent Licensing Bureau

23. トラをとるならトラをとるより鳥をとれ、鳥はおとりにトラをとれ。

Pronunciation: Torawo torunara torawo toru yori toriwo tore, toriwa otorini torawo tore.

Hiragana: とらをとるならとるとらをとるよりとりをとれ、とりはおとりにとらをとれ。

English Translation: Instead of catching the tiger, catch a bird and use the bird as bait to catch the tiger.

Here are some other tongue twisters for you to try out!

Think you’ve mastered these tongue twisters? Time to put it to the test!

Join a conversation class at Coto Academy and impress your teachers with your smooth pronunciation.
🧠✨ From Tokyo to your living room, we’ll help you speak Japanese like a pro — one hayakuchi kotoba at a time!

FAQ

Do Japanese have tongue twisters?

Yes! Japanese has many tongue twisters, called 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba), which literally means “fast mouth words.” They’re often used for fun or language practice.

What is the hardest Japanese tongue twister?

One of the most famous and challenging is: 生麦生米生卵 (Namamugi namagome namatamago) – “Raw wheat, raw rice, raw eggs.” Its repetitive sounds make it tricky, even for native speakers!

Are tongue twisters useful for learning Japanese?

Yes! Practicing hayakuchi kotoba helps improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and mouth agility, making your spoken Japanese clearer and more natural.

What are some easy Japanese tongue twisters for beginners?

Try this one: 赤巻紙青巻紙黄巻紙 (Aka makigami, ao makigami, ki makigami) – “Red scroll, blue scroll, yellow scroll.” It’s fun, colorful, and great for practicing the “k” and “m” sounds.

Japanese swear words are those, while you don’t use that much, super fun to know; especially if you’ve got a good basis of Japanese under your belt, but you need to know them to avoid them, too.

Profanity is always frowned upon in most cultures, and Japanese people are known to be one of the most polite and respectful societies. That is to say, the things you learn in anime might not be best practiced in real life. You don’t want to go around the streets in Tokyo saying, “ばか (baka)!”.

It’s rare for strangers to use Japanese cursed words or slang casually. In fact, even if you’re friends with a Japanese person, you still need to be cautious about throwing a swear word, even if it’s mild.

That is to say, don’t really swear in public, or in general. Still, these are fun Japanese swear words to know, and we can’t blame you for wanting to learn. And it’s not like you can never say these. Around your friends, go for it, but with someone you don’t really know, maybe watch your tongue.

1. 馬鹿 (Baka): Stupid

The Japanese word baka (ばか) basically means “fool” or”idiot”. Depending on the tone and situation, it can range from a playful “dummy” to a harsh insult that stings.

The kanji is 馬鹿. 馬, meaning “horse” (uma), and 鹿, which means “deer” (shika). You might also see it written in katakana as バカ.

お前はバカなの？
Omae wa baka na no?
Are you stupid?

2. アホ (Aho): Stupid

Aho means idiot or stupid. If you watch a lot of anime, you probably know another way to call someone an idiot, 馬鹿 (Baka), so what’s the difference between both? While the two share the same meaning, アホ is more commonly used in the Kansai region, where it can range from playful teasing to outright insults, while 馬鹿 is used more in the Kanto region. Funnily enough, this results in either being more offensive in the region they’re used less.

In contrast, in the Kanto region, アホ feels harsher, and 馬鹿 is the preferred term for calling someone stupid.

お前、アホちゃう？
Omae, aho chau?
Are you an idiot?

3. ブス (Busu): Ugly Woman

Busu is an extremely ugly woman, and it is used specifically for women to insult their physical appearance, it’s a cruel and offensive term. It’s not the word you should use to a stranger — unless you want to crush their self-esteem.

It’s a demeaning term, so even if you intend to joke around, consider how people might feel about it.

The male version of ブス (Busu) is ブ男 (Buotoko). When someone mutters “busu” or “buotoko” under their breath, you’ll know the meaning and possibly how to react.

お前、ブスだよ。
Omae, busu da yo.
You’re ugly

4. 畜生 (Chikusho): Damn It!

Chikusho (ちくしょう) is an exclamation usually used out of frustration. It’s similar to saying “Damn!” or “Damn it!” in english. Sometimes, the translation goes, “For Christ’s sake!” It also has meaning outside of as an exclamation, that being “Beast” or “Brute”.

You don’t direct this Japanese swear word to someone. Rather, you use it when facing an unfortunate event or anything remotely inconvenient.

ちくしょう、パンクだ！
Chikushou, panku da!
Damn it! I’ve got a flat (tire)!

5. 黙れ (Damare): Shut up!

Like the phrase うるさい (Urusai), damare is used to say “Shut up!” The word is stemmed from the Japanese verb 黙る (damaru), which means “to be quiet.” However, this is the Japanese command form used to express strong orders or demands.

Unlike using ください (kudasai) or お願いします (onegaishimasu), which is closer to a request or soft demand, this command form is not exactly polite.

This Japanese swear word is often interchangeable with うるさい (urusai), but they mean two different things — with the same implication. うるさい is a Japanese adjective that means “noisy.”

If you hear someone say this, it’s more to passively shut someone up: “You’re noisy! (So shut up)!” They will typically take it as a sign to tone it down.

だまれ, on the other hand, is much more of a command, so it is much more impolite to use it.

だまれ、このやろう！
Damare, kono yarou!
Shut up, you bastard!

6. どけ (Doke): Get out of my way!

Similar to だまれ, どけ (doke) is a Japanese command form from the verb どく, which means to step aside or move out of the way. When you’re pissed off and have to make the people move out of your path, you might lash out and say, “Get out of my way!”

It’s an extremely rude way of ‘asking’ someone to make way for you, and you shouldn’t use it in normal circumstances — like when you’re trying to get out of a packed train car.

どけ、邪魔だよ！
Doke, jama da yo!
Move, you’re in my way!

7. ふざけるな (Fuzakeru na): Don’t Mess With Me!

Any Japanese verb with a “na” な on the end is usually taken as an aggressive negative command of “don’t”.

ふざけるな comes from the phrase ふざける (fuzakeru), meaning to mess around. When used with な, it becomes a negative command, telling someone to stop messing around. It has since been translated to mean either “Stop messing around/with me”, or the more direct “Screw off”. The more casual version of this is the shortened ふざけんあ (Fuzakenna) often used in anime or informal settings.

ふざけるな、マジで！
Fuzakeru na, maji de!
Don’t mess with me, seriously!

8. うざい (Uzai): Annoying!

The word うざい, stylized as ウザイ (uzai), is short for うるさい (urusai), which means “noisy”, and うざったい, which means “annoying”. If you’re the type who gets annoyed at the slight public disturbance, you can use this for a not-so-subtle diss.

Think of this word as the English equivalent of saying that someone is being a pain in the ass.

If you want to stress the swear word more, you can end the word ウザイ (uzai) with a long ‘e’: ウゼェー (uzee)!

田中先生がウザくない？
Tanaka-sensei ga uzakunai?
Isn’t Tanaka-sensei a pain in the ass?

9. クソ (Kuso): Shit!

Kuso means “Poo”. Much like chikushou, it is used as an exclamation out of anger. While it can be used independently, it also sees a lot of use with other words. In these cases, it is used as an adjective. For example クソガキ (kusogaki), meaning “Shitty brat”.

クソ！なんでこうなるんだ？
Kuso! Nande kou narun da?
Shit! Why does this always happen?

10. お前 (Omae): You

These are both very rude ways of saying “you” in Japanese. In anime, particularly the shounen genre, male characters may use this second-person pronoun. It’s often translated as “bastard”, but most people wouldn’t really say it in real life.

This is similar to another word not on this list 貴様 (きさま), another rude way of saying “You,” which is commonly used in anime but never in real life.

Omae can be considered a rude way to refer to someone. It used to be considered honorific, but that was a long time ago. Of course, real life is not like anime, so try not to use it with just anyone.

お前が言うな.
Omae ga iu na.
Look who’s talking.

11. 手前 (てめえ/Temee): You (Bastard)

Not necessarily a Japanese swear word, but it is a very rude word that is hardly used by anyone in real life, though it can be commonly found in Japanese media like manga and anime.

Fictional characters use it to address others when they are angry, as it is considered less rude than in real life.  

手前、何様のつもりだ？
Temee, nani-sama no tsumori da?
Who do you think you are, bastard?

12. 死ねえ (Shinee): Go Die!

Another swear word very popular in anime, しねえ means ”Die!” or “Go die!” Can’t get much worse than that. Of course, because it’s so commonly used, it’s kind of lost its severity, making it a fun word to throw around among friends.

Again, make sure not to use it against anyone you don’t know too well.

死ねえ、もう我慢できない！
Shinee, mou gaman dekinai!
Die, I can’t take it anymore!

13. やろう (Yarou)

Yarou technically just means ”Guy” (gender). It’s commonly used towards men and as a way to refer to someone.

As a Japanese swear word, it usually doesn’t stand alone. Rather, you’ll pair it with other words like baka or kuso. ばかやろう(baka yarou). You should not use やろう (yarou) to address women, as the usage would be wrong.

だまれこのやろう 
Damare konoyarou
Shut up you bastard!

14. くたばれ (Kutabare) : Drop Dead / Go to Hell

This is one of the stronger insults in Japanese, used to express extreme anger. It’s far more intense than common words like baka (idiot) or damare (shut up). This phrase isn’t something you’d hear in everyday conversation but might appear during heated arguments or in dramatic movie scenes. Its use is rare, but when it’s said, the intention is clear: the speaker is furious.

It’s used only in extreme situations, usually when someone loses control and wants to lash out verbally.

くたばれ、この野郎！ 
Kutabare, kono yarou!
Go to hell, you bastard!

15. ばばあ (Babaa) / じじい (Jijii) : Grumpy Old Woman / Cranky Old Man

These words are used to insult older people, with babaa directed at women and jijii at men. In a culture where elders are usually treated with respect, using these words can be particularly offensive. While they might be used jokingly in anime or manga, in real life, they’re more likely to upset or insult someone.

Often spoken in frustration or anger. These words are also common in fictional works to portray rude or rebellious characters.If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, you might recognize the character Yubaba. Her name cleverly incorporates ばば (baba), which is a nod to ばばあ (babaa), meaning “old woman.” While it’s not intended as an insult in the film, her personality: stern, controlling, and a bit unpleasant, ties into the connotations of the word. This is an example of how language can be used creatively in storytelling without the usual negative implications

16. カス (Kasu) : Scum / Worthless Person

Kasu is a deeply insulting term that likens someone to residue or waste, which is its literal meaning. It’s often used to demean someone’s character, implying they have no value. This word is not just offensive, it carries a lot of weight when spoken, so it’s best avoided altogether.

Usually heard in heated arguments, where emotions run high, and the speaker intends to seriously insult someone.

あのばばあ、また文句ばかり言ってるよ。 
Ano babaa, mata monku bakari itteru yo.
That old hag is complaining again.

17. ボケ (Boke) : Fool

Boke (ボケ) means “fool” or “idiot.” It’s often used humorously in conversations, but it can also come off as an insult depending on the tone.
In a more casual sense, it’s often paired with other words, like ボケナス (bokenasu), which means “stupid eggplant.”

お前、ボケてんの？ 
Omae, boketen no?
Are you being stupid?

18. くさい (Kusai) : Smelly

Kusai (くさい) means “smelly” or “stinky.” It can be used to describe something that literally smells bad or as an insult to say someone reeks.
This term can also imply someone has a figurative stench, like being shady or suspicious.

お前、くさすぎるよ！ 
Omae, kusa sugiru yo!
You stink too much!

19. きもい (Kimoi) : Gross

Kimoi (きもい) is slang for “gross” or “creepy.” It’s short for 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), meaning “disgusting.”
This word is often used casually among friends but can be offensive depending on the context.

あいつ、本当にきもいね。
Aitsu, hontou ni kimoi ne.
That guy is really gross.

What’s Next after Japanese Swear Words? Learn to speak conversational and formal Japanese with Coto Academy!

Japanese insults and swear words offer a fascinating glimpse into the culture’s approach to language, importance of respect, and expression. While some of these words might seem mild or playful in the right context, others carry serious weight and should be avoided unless you fully understand their impact.

Whether you’ve heard them in anime or come across them in real life, knowing their meanings helps you better navigate conversations and avoid potential misunderstandings. So, if you’re learning Japanese, remember: it’s not just about the words you say, but also how and when you use them. If you’re ready to dive deeper into Japanese language and culture, why not take a class with us and learn the right way to express yourself?

FAQ

How insulting is baka?

Baka means “fool” or “idiot,” and how insulting it is really depends on how and where it’s used. In casual, playful conversations, it’s often harmless, but if said with a harsh tone, it can definitely offend someone.

Is kuso a curse word?

Yes, kuso means “shit” and is considered a mild curse word. It’s often shouted when frustrated, like saying “damn it!” in English, or combined with other words for insults.

Is it rude to say oi in Japanese?

Yes, oi is a pretty rude way to get someone’s attention. It can come across as aggressive or impatient, so it’s not something you’d use in polite situations.

What is a rude word for “you” in Japanese?

Words like omae, temee, and kisama are all considered rude ways to say “you.” They’re mostly used in arguments or seen in anime and are not appropriate for polite settings.

Does the f word exist in Japanese?

Not exactly. There isn’t a direct Japanese equivalent of the F-word, but phrases like kutabare (go to hell) or kuso (shit) come close in terms of intensity.

Is the middle finger rude in Japan?

Yes, the middle finger is considered rude in Japan, especially if it’s used in an aggressive or confrontational way. While it might not have the exact same cultural weight as in Western countries, it’s still seen as disrespectful, so it’s best to avoid using it.

What is yabai?

Yabai is a super versatile slang word. It can mean anything from “awesome” to “terrible” or even “risky,” depending on the tone and situation.

Why are there so many Japanese insults in anime?

Anime exaggerates language for drama or humor. A lot of these words are rarely used in real life, but they make characters stand out or add tension to stories.

How do you politely express frustration in Japanese?

Instead of swearing, you can say things like taihen (this is tough) or mou yappari (ugh, I knew it) to vent your feelings without offending anyone.

Japanese tongue twisters are called hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), which translates to “fast mouth (hayakuchi) words (kotoba).” Just like Japanese slang, learning these tongue twisters is a fun and exciting way to practice speaking the language. Specifically, it helps condition you to make that Japanese pronunciation you’ve wanted to nail. You can make it your daily routine to repeat one tongue twister daily. That’s right — we want you to start saying “Kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da” while brushing your teeth and doing laundry. Totally normal stuff.

There are many popular tongue twisters in English — let’s not forget the classic “She sells seashells by the seashore” — but what about Japanese tongue twisters? We’ve categorized these Japanese tongue twisters in their order of difficulty. It’s time to try these tongue twisters to track your trek. (See what we just did there?)

Easy Japanese Tongue Twisters

These few Japanese tongue twisters are relatively easy to master. You need to be careful of the sudden consonant changes and those few repetitive consonants. Otherwise, their shorter length helps beginners and aspiring tongue-twister-enthusiast to catch their breath.

1. 生麦生米生卵

Pronunciation: namamugi namagome namatamago

Hiragana: なま むぎなまごめなまたまご

English Translation: Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg. 

2. 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書いた

Pronunciation: bouzu ga byoubu ni jouzu ni bouzu no e o kaita

Hiragana: ぼうずがびょうぶにじょうずにぼうずのえをかいた

English Translation: The monk skillfully drew a picture of a monk on a screen

3. 赤巻紙, 黄巻紙, 青巻紙

Pronunciation: akamakigami, kimakigami, aomakigami

Hiragana: あかまきがみきまきがみあおまきがみ

English Translation: Red scroll, yellow scroll, blue scroll

4. バスガス爆発

Pronunciation: Basu gasu bakuhatsu

Hiragana: バスガスばくはつ

English translation: Bus gas explosion

5. ブタがブタをぶったのでぶたれたブタがぶったブタをぶった。

Pronunciation: buta ga buta o butta node butareta buta ga butta buta o butta.

English Translation: The pig beat the pig. Therefore, the beaten pig beat the beater pig.

6. 赤パジャマ黄パジャマ茶パジャマ

Pronunciation: aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama

Hiragana: あかぱじゃま　きぱじゃま　ちゃぱじゃま

English Translation: Red pajamas, yellow pajamas, and brown pajamas

Intermediate Japanese Tongue Twisters

Is rolling your tongue for the above phrases too much of a breeze? We’ll bump up the difficulty a notch. These tongue twisters are only getting longer, with more repetitive and similar consonants.

7. この釘は引き抜くい釘だ

Pronunciation: kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da

Hiragana: このくぎはひきぬきにくいくぎだ

English Translation: This nail is difficult to pull out.

8. 李も桃、桃も桃、李も桃も桃のうち。

Pronunciation: sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi.

Hiragana: すもももももももももも、すもももももももものうち。

English translation: A Japanese plum is a peach, a peach is also a peach, and both Japanese plums and peaches are a kind of peach.

9. 蛙ぴょこぴょこ三ぴょこぴょこ合わせてぴょこぴょこ六ぴょこぴょこ

Pronunciation: Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko

Hiragana: かえるぴょこぴょこみぴょこぴょこあわせてぴょこぴょこむぴょこぴょこ

English translation: The frogs jump, three (times) jump, together jump, six (times) jump.

10. バナナの謎はまだ謎なのだぞ

Pronunciation: banana no nazo wa mada nazo na no da zo

Hiragana: ばななのなぞは、まだなぞなのだぞ

English Translation: The mystery of the banana is still a mystery

11. 鹿もカモシカも鹿の仲間, しかしアシカは鹿ではない 

Pronunciation: shika mo kamoshika mo shika no nakama, shikashi ashika wa shika de wa nai

Hiragana: しかもかもしかもしかのなかま、しかしあしかはしかではない

English Translation: both the deer and the antelope are part of the deer family, but surely the sea lion is not a deer

12. 飲むなら乗るな、乗るなら飲むな。

Pronunciation: Nomu nara noru na, noru nara nomu na.

Hiragana: のおむならのるな、のるならのむな

English Transaction: If you drink don’t drive, if you drive don’t drink.

13. 親亀の上に子亀、子亀の上に孫亀。

Pronunciation: Oyagame no ue ni kogame, kogame no ue ni magogame.

Hiragana: おやがめのうえにこがめ、こがめのうえにまごがめ。

English Translation: The parent turtle is the child turtle, and the child turtle is the grandchild turtle.

Hardest Japanese Tongue Twisters

These tongue twisters require more focus and practice. Still, even if you don’t speak any Japanese, that doesn’t mean you can’t try out some of these!

14. タコベルのタコは高くなかった

Pronunciation: takoberu no tako wa takakunakatta

Hiragana: タコベルのたこはたかくなかった。

English Translation: Taco Bell’s tacos aren’t expensive at all.

15. にゃんこ、子にゃんこ、孫にゃんこ、ひ孫にゃんこ。

Pronunciation: nyanko, konyanko, magonyanko, himagonyanko.

Hiragana: にゃんこ、こにゃんこ、まごにゃんこ、ひまごにゃんこ。

English translation: Kitty, kitten, grand-kitten, great-grand kitten.

16. シャンソン歌手、新春シャンソンショー

Pronunciation: Shanson kashu, shinshun shansonshu.

Hiragana: しゃんそんかしゅ、しんすんシャションシュー

English Translation: Chanson singer, New Year chanson show.

17. 暖かくなったから、暖かい服を使った

Pronunciation: Atatakakunakattakara, atatakai fuku o tsukatta

Hiragana: あたたかくなかったから、あたたかいふくをつかった。

English transaction: Because it wasn’t warm, I used warm clothes.

Notice that the word atatakai (warm) is heavily modified? This is because Japanese i-adjectives conjugate themselves. To learn more about this, visit our guide to Japanese adjectives.

18. 右目右耳 右耳右目

Pronunciation: Migime migi mimi migi mimi migi me

Hiragana: みぎめみぎみみみぎみみみぎめ

English translation: Right eye, right ear, right ear, right eye

19. 隣りの客はよく柿食う客だ 

Pronunciation: tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da

Hiragana: となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ

English translation: The guest next door eats a lot of persimmons

20. この竹垣に竹立て掛けたのは竹立て掛けたかったから、竹立て掛けた

Pronunciation: kono takegaki ni take tatekaketa no wa take tatekaketakattakara , take tatekaketa

Hiragana: このたけがきにたけたてかけたのはたけたてかけたかったから、たけたてかけた

English Translation: I laid this bamboo against the bamboo fence because I wanted to lay bamboo against it

21. 裏庭には二羽, 庭には二羽鶏がいる

Pronunciation: ura niwa ni wa niwa, niwa ni wa niwa niwatori ga iru

Hiragana: うらにわにわにわにわにわにわにわとりがいる

English Translation: There are two chickens in the backyard and two chickens in the front yard

22. 東京特許許可局長

Pronunciation: toukyou tokkyo kyokakyokuchou

Hiragana: とうきょうとっきょきょかきょくちょう

English translation: Director of Tokyo Patent Licensing Bureau

23. トラをとるならトラをとるより鳥をとれ、鳥はおとりにトラをとれ。

Pronunciation: Torawo torunara torawo toru yori toriwo tore, toriwa otorini torawo tore.

Hiragana: とらをとるならとるとらをとるよりとりをとれ、とりはおとりにとらをとれ。

English Translation: Instead of catching the tiger, catch a bird and use the bird as bait to catch the tiger.

If you want to practice some more tongue twisters here you have some with audio!

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FAQ

What are Japanese tongue twisters?

Japanese tongue twisters, or 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba), are phrases that are challenging to pronounce quickly due to similar or repetitive sounds. They are used to practice and enhance pronunciation skills in Japanese.

How can practicing tongue twisters benefit Japanese language learners?

Practicing tongue twisters helps learners improve their pronunciation, enunciation, and fluency. It trains the mouth and tongue muscles to produce Japanese sounds more accurately and quickly, leading to clearer speech.

Can you provide examples of common Japanese tongue twisters?

Certainly! Here are a few examples:

• 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ (となりのきゃくは よく かきくう きゃくだ)
  Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kū kyaku da
  Translation: “The customer next to me often eats persimmons.”
• 生麦生米生卵 (なまむぎ なまごめ なまたまご)
  Namamugi namagome namatamago
  Translation: “Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg.”
• 赤巻紙青巻紙黄巻紙 (あかまきがみ あおまきがみ きまきがみ)
  Akamakigami aomakigami kimakigami
  Translation: “Red scroll, blue scroll, yellow scroll.”

How often should I practice Japanese tongue twisters?

Practicing for just 5-10 minutes daily can lead to significant improvements in pronunciation and fluency.

Are Japanese tongue twisters used in educational settings?

Yes, Japanese children often learn tongue twisters as both educational tools and games to enhance their language skills.

Can tongue twisters help with accent reduction in Japanese?

Yes, regular practice of tongue twisters can help train your mouth muscles to produce authentic Japanese sounds, aiding in accent reduction.

Are there different difficulty levels in Japanese tongue twisters?

Yes, Japanese tongue twisters range from simple phrases to complex sentences, allowing learners to progress from easy to more challenging expressions as their skills improve. ​

How can I effectively practice Japanese tongue twisters?

To practice effectively:

• Seek Feedback: Practicing with native speakers or language partners can provide valuable corrections and tips.
• Start Slowly: Begin by pronouncing the tongue twister slowly to ensure correct pronunciation.​
• Gradually Increase Speed: As you become more comfortable, try to say it faster while maintaining accuracy.​
• Repeat Regularly: Consistent practice helps in mastering the sounds and improving fluency.​
• Record Yourself: Listening to your pronunciation can help identify areas that need improvement.