When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is an easy and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “gachi”, “gachi de”.
Have you ever seen a sumo match? It is really impressive. When the rikishi (sumo wrestlers) rush into the fight, it is usually over in a second but not without a noise! On the contrary the violent clash of sumo wrestlers echoes in the arena… The Japanese onomatopoeia for that sound is “gatsun” (“crash”, “thump”).
Well, it is said that “gatsun” is the etymology for the word “gachinko” which originally meant a “serious match”, “a heated battle”, “a violent collision”. However, from the second half of 2000s, young Japanese people started to use “gachi” and “gachide” in conversation like “super” and “serious”. In short, Gachi is the short form of gachinko and is used as a prefix, often with the particle 「で」”de”.
Gachi comes to reinforce your opinion of something or to highlight a critical situation and has gained popularity among Japanese teenagers. In particular, it replaced the colloquial word maji which means “in earnest” and “seriously”.
Sentence Examples
例：「このお笑いコンビ、ガチで面白い！」 Rei: Kono owarai konbi, gachi de omoshiroi! Example: This comedy duo is super fun!
例：「○○大学の学食のカツカレーって、ガチで辛いよね。」 Rei: Daigaku no gakushoku no katsukarē tte, gachi de tsurai yo ne. Example: The cutlet curry of our University’s cafeteria is seriously spicy!
例：「ここのお店のたぬきうどん、ガチでしこってるな～」 Rei: Koko no o-ten no tanuki udon, gachi de shikotteru na. Example: This shop’s tanu gyudon are super tasteful!
If one of your Japanese friend says that he is “on a gachi diet”, it means he is “seriously doing a diet” and “having a gachi match” means “having a battle seriously”. Of course, you should use gachi and gachi de only during conversations with people you know well.
In Colloquial Conversations
会話１）【若い男性同士の会話】 A：今何時？ B：3時。 A：うっわ、やべー＊！急がねぇ＊＊とガチで遅れる！ B：何？これから何かあるの？ A：彼女とデート！この間遅刻したら、ガチでキレられた。 ＊（＝やばい） ＊＊（＝急がない） Kaiwa 1) Wakai dansei doushi no kaiwa. A：Ima nan ji? B：3 ji. A：Uwa, yabee＊! Isoganee＊＊ to gachi de okureru! B：Nani? Korekara nani ga aruno? A：Kanojo to deeto! Konoaida chikoku shitara, gachi de kirerareta. Wakai dansei doushi no kaiwa. ＊（＝yabai） ＊＊（＝Isoganai ） Conversation 1) [Conversation between young men]A: What time is it now? B: 3 o’clock. A: Yikes, it’s bad! I gotta run, otherwise I’ll be seriously late! B: What? You’ve got an appointment or something? A: Got a date with my girlfriend! The last time when I was late, she got super angry.
会話２）【恋人同士の会話】 男性：遅れてごめん！ 女性：もう、遅いよ！ガチで。ほんと、勘弁してよ。 男性：ほんっとに、ごめん！！今日は焼き肉、おごるからさ。 女性：当然でしょ！ Kaiwa 2) Koibito doushi no kaiwa. Dansei：Okurete gomen! Josei：Mou, osoi yo! Gachi de. Honto kanben shiteyo. Dansei：Honto ni gomen!! Kyou wa yakiniku ogoru kara sa. Josei：Touzen desho! Conversation 2) [Conversation between lovers]Man: Sorry, I’m late! Woman: Yep, you’re super late! I can’t take it any more. Man: My apologies, really! Tonight’s barbecue is on me. Woman: It better be!
Credit CC BY 2.0: Nakatani YOshifumi Title: Wrestler of sumo wrestling 相撲 source: Flickr
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As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life
A bentō holds rice with fish or meat and vegetables in a box-shaped container. Some might have a debate over the nutritional value of a prepared dish. Nevertheless, it had been clear that since the 80s, bentō had already become an integral part of the Japanese’s daily life.
There are several reasons. Working hours are quite long and Japanese people are sometimes so busy that they do not have time to prepare proper meal or even to go to the food court. As such, they some would just run to the closest convenience store to buy their lunch.
A bentō might also be prepared at home in the morning to be eaten in school or at the workplace. This gives the Japanese many opportunities to recycle any leftovers they have from the previous night.
In general, precooked meals had became popular with the emergence of the microwave oven. If that’s the case, what Japanese word would you use to indicate that you are “warming up your bentō in a microwave oven”? Well, it would none other than the Japanese Slang word: “Chin Suru” 「チンする」!
What did it Originate from?
Funny word, isn’t it? The word finds its origin in the sound “chin” that the first household microwave ovens made to notify that cooking was complete. By adding the suffix “~suru” to this sound, it creates the verb “chin suru”: to warm up/cook with microwave oven.
The sound “chin” was so well known in Japan, that it was even used in commercial for a snack, known as “chinchin potato” 「チンチンポテト」. Not to mention that this was a poor choice of words on the part of the company. Well, it sounded kind of inappropriate to say the least.
Nevertheless, the sound of the microwave oven had changed over the years and in Japanese onomatopoeia, the microwave oven now goes by the sound of “pi pi pi” 「ピピピ」. The popularity of the word “Chinsuru”, however, remained.
Surely, it may sound like kid talk, but it is used by all generations. In convenience stores, the clerk usually asks if you need to warm up your meal. The word typically used would be “atatamemasuka”「温めますか？」 which would basically translate to “would you like to have it warmed up?”.
From time to time, the staff may also ask you “chin shimasuka?” 「チンしますか？」. The word itself had also been used very often by takeout companies to advertise the convenience of their prepared meal or to advertise recipes’ books:
料理する時間ながない時、チンするだけ
“When you don’t have time to prepare meal, only warm up”. 忙しい女性へ☆レンジでチンするだけのレシピ
“Only warm up with microwave oven recipes for busy women” チンするご飯
“Meal to warm up”
Using it in Casual Conversations
Let’s see the use of this Japanese slang in a casual conversation! 【朝、夫婦の会話】 夫： じゃあ、いってきまーす。 妻： あ、ちょっと待って！今夜、友達と食事する予定だから、昨日の残り物のおかずで悪いんだけど、チンして食べてくれる？冷蔵庫にいろいろ入ってるから。 夫： あ、そうなんだ。分かった。 【Asa, fufu no kaiwa】 Otto: Jaa, itte kimasu! Tsuma: Ah, chotto matte. Konya tomodachi to shokuji suru yotei dakara, kinou no nokorimono okazude waruindakedo, chin shite tabete kureru? Reizouko ni iroiro haitteiru kara. Otto: Ah, sou nanda. Wakatta.
English Translation: 【Morning conversation between husband and wife】 Husband : Well, I am off, see you later. Wife : Oh, wait a minute! I am going out for dinner with a friend tonight, would you mind to warm up (chin suru) yesterday’s leftovers and eat them? There are various things in the refrigerator. Husband : Oh, I see. Ok, sure.
Credit CC BY 2.0: Ryan Li
Title: Angry Bird in Microwave
Modified by Coto Japanese Academy source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun way to deepen your vocabulary.
Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “otsubone”.
The working place is not always kind to female workers. Particularly in Japan, it is proven to be difficult for a woman to have a career.
Indeed, traditionnally, a woman is expected to get married and have a family and this point of view is still strong. For many Japanese, after her marriage, an office lady will – should – quit her job to become a housewife.
But in those last decades, Japanese women are more and more willing to keep working, despite the few chances to get a promotion, and do not get married. In Japanese slang, they are called “otsubone“.
Otsubone is an archaism. Historically, the word was a title of honour given to a woman of high ranking, serving the Imperial Houshold or the Imperial Court. To tell the truth, an otsubone was a respected capable woman.
The word was diverted from its original meaning in the 90s, and became a Japanese slang word. Nowadays, an “otsubone” is an office lady over a certain age and level of seniority in a Japanese company who is often single.
Although she has worked in the office for a long time in the same division, she commands others. She is not interested in promotion or pay-raise, but she became influential from behind in the office.
She is perceived as intimidating and her coworkers feel she is frequently complaining. Even though she is a regular employee, coworkers will treat her with respect, just like they would with the head of the division. Not sure to get the idea yet?
A: Kinō, otsu bone ni kekkon no hōkoku o shitara, yosō-dōri iyami o iwa reta no. B: Yappari nee. Hontō, ano hito nigate…
A: Yesterday, when I informed that Ms. Bossy Pants about my marriage she said something rude, just as I expected she would. B: That’s not surprising. I really can’t stand that woman …
A: Yukiguni sodachi otsu bone no eikyō ni yori, mada danbō o tsukeru koto ga dekimasen. Zen’in wa furuenagara shigoto o shite imasu… B: Uwaa, taihen desu ne!
A: Because Ms bossy pants got raised in a cold place, we cannot start the heater yet. Everyone has to work while shivering… B: Uhr, must be hard!
Translation of otsubone is not quite easy, but it would be close to “straw boss” or “Ms. Bossy Pants” in English.
The word ostubone has a negative image and is often used when gossiping behind someone’s back. It connotes spitefulness and a tendency to nag. You shall not used it for your senior coworkers that you look up to with respect.
Credit CC BY 2.0: Nestor Lacle Title: West Shinjuku Silhouettes source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Who has never gone crazy over a new video game, an anime or a new phone? Like children, we can easily be absorbed by an exciting new item or activity. We unknowingly let time pass by when doing this activity, oblivious to our surroundings. Japanese people are no exception to that phenomenon and they too are attracted to new trends! Interested in a popular novelty they have heard about, some Japanese may even become completely consumed by it to the point they forget about everything else.
Well, becoming absorbed by something new and being crazy about it can be expressed in Japanese using the slang with hamaru【はまる】.
Originally, the verb hamaru means to “fit in” and can be used for situation like “to fit into the river” 「川にはまる」”fits into the trap” 「罠にはまる」 or to say that one is entangled in a bad situation.
However in Japanese slang, hamaru means “to be crazy into something”,”to be infatuated with”, or “totally absorbed by”. In that context, hamaru is not so far from its original meaning. It describes how you “fit” into that enthusiasm, and you cannot escape it. We know well of the addiction Japanese people have to online and smartphone gaming, which is easily noticeable on morning train!
「趣味にはまる」「shumi ni hamaru」to be crazy with a hobby
「私はあの歌手にはまる。」「watashi ha ano kashu ni hamaru」I’m obsessed with that singer.
Generally speaking, hamaru is mainly related to hobbies such as video games, animes, tv-shows and so on. Hamaru may also be used to describe a person in love, obsessed with the object of their affection.
Oddly, though hamaru may refer to pleasant things (activities or a person you are infatuated with), it can also be used for considerably less fun things… such as working and studying! Generally seen as troublesome activities, if one become crazy about his work or his study, you can also use hamaru. Crazy indeed!
≪Tomodachi doushi no kaiwa≫
A: Hisashiburi. saikin dou?
B: Jitsu hasa, saikin onrain geemu ni hamattete.
Yasumi no hi ha 10 jikan hayatteru kamo.
A: E~! mechyakuchya hamatteru ne.
English Translation
“Conversation between friends”
A: It’s been a while. How are you doing lately?
B: The truth is, lately I’ve been addicted to online games. On my days off I play for maybe ten hours.
A: What?! You must be addicted like crazy.
Another word used in the same way as the verb hamaru, is the Japanese-made English phrase, “my boom”, 「マイブーム」. Yes, in Japan, you will hear a lot of English phrases scattered into Japanese conversations that will make no sense to anyone who isn’t Japanese. We call it “wasei-eigo”, 「和製英語」or “Japanese-Made English”. To get back to our point, the expression “my boom” is translated by “I am into…”, “I am crazy about…”.
例: 最近オンラインゲームにハマってるの。（最近オンラインゲームがマイブームなの！）
rei: Saikin onrain geemu ni hamatteru no. (saikin onrain geemu ga mai buumu na no!)
Example: Lately I’m really into online games (Online games are my boom lately!).
The next time you will speak about your hobbies with your Japanese friends, you will know what to say!
Want to find out more about some other Japanese Slang? Damemoto is one of which you might be interested in!
Want to find out more about Coto Japanese Academy? Try taking a look at the various Japanese Language Courses we offer!
Credit CC BY- ND 2.0: We Make Noise！
Title: 發夢中 source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang mattari (suru)!
Japanese people are known for their dedication to their work often to the detriment of their private life, working overtime, sometimes even on weekends. In some companies, things are so hectic and intense, that it makes us wonder if salarymen get any rest at all.
That being said, Japanese people care for their days-off. They will meet their friends, go see a popular exhibition or a movie. Or simply enjoying chilling out on their couch doing nothing. Being relaxed and laid-back is expressed by the Japanese slang word: mattari (suru) [まったりする].
Origins of Mattari
The word mattari belongs to the vocabulary of the gastronomy and has been around for a long time. It was originally used in the Kansai area to describe a “mild, but deep taste“. Not only was it describing the taste, but also the way this kind of flavor spreads slowly in your mouth.
It is around 1998 that the word was diverted from its original meaning in an anime, called “Ojarumaru”「おじゃる丸」, broadcasted by the NHK. In the anime, the word was used to describe the mood and attitude of someone.
Progressively, mattari became used to describe a state of laziness (being carefree or at ease). Used with this meaning, a sense of boredom is also implied. It can also be translated by “to lounge”, “to relax” or “to chill out“. It is close to other Japanese words such as “yukkuri (suru)”「 ゆっくり（する）」, “nonbiri shite iru”「のんびりしている」、”daradara (suru)”「ダラダラ（する）」, gorogoro (suru) 「ゴロゴロ（する）」.
With young people using it more commonly to say they are chilling out, the original meaning grew unusual and the Japanese slang mattari (suru) was born!
Example: ≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫ A: Ne~e, chotto tsukare chatta. Dokka de mattari ocha demo shinai? B: Ī ne, sō shiyou.
Example: <<Conversation between friends>> A: I’m pretty tired. Do you want to relax somewhere and maybe get some tea or something? B: Good idea. Let’s do that.
Example: <<Conversation between a married couple or boyfriend and girlfriend>> A: What should we do this weekend? B: I’ve had to work a lot of overtime this week, so I want to stay home and take it easy.
Example: ≪ Koibito dōshi/ fūfu no kaiwa ≫ A: Shūmatsu wa dō shiyou ka? B: Konshū wa zangyō tsudzuki de tsukaretakara, ie de mattari shitai na.
例：≪友達の会話≫ A: GWはどうだった？ B: んー、特に何も。家でまったりしてた。
Example:≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫ A: GW wa dōdatta? B: N- , tokuni nani mo. uchi de mattari shi teta.
Example: <<Conversation between friends>> A: How as Golden Week? B: I didn’t really do anything. Just stayed home and was lazy.
Japanese summers are so hot and humid, that you may not want to hang out with your Japanese friend when they invite you to go somewhere. Mattari offers you a nice way out. Now, you know what to say!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
One of the many ways to become more fluent in a foreign language is to study its slangs. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker.
Let’s see today, how you would say “shotgun wedding” in Japanese. Well, with the expression: “dekikon” 「できこん」「でき婚」!
This expression describes a wedding that is or was arranged to avoid embarrassment due to an unplanned pregnancy rather than out of the desire of the participants!
You can literally translate as “we already made (a baby) marriage”. Have you heard it before?
Now, let’s take a look at the interesting construction of this Japanese slang word. The first part, “deki” comes from the sentence 「（子どもが）できてしまった」 which means “got pregnant” or “gave birth”.
As the sentence carries a very negative nuance, it is closer in meaning to the expression ” to get knocked up”.
The second part, “kon” originates from the word “kekkon” 「けっこん」「結婚」 which means marriage. Finally, the both parts “dekikon” were combined as an abbreviation for the following sentence:
「（子どもが）できちゃった（から）結婚（する・した）」 [(kodomo) ga dekichatta (kara) kekkon (suru・shita)]
The literal translation is “to get / got married because of having conceived a child”. But we all now the underlying meaning: because you conceived a child before getting married, you have to get / had to get a quick wedding to save face”.
The Japanese slang “dekikon” appeared during the 90’s as for some various reasons, wedding triggered by pregnancy increased.
By 2000’s, marriages due to unplanned parenthood became popular among young Japanese of 19/20 years old, as several celebrities such as idols made it a trend in Japan. This way of getting married is also called 「ダブルハッピー」 “double happy” or 「マタニティウェディング」 “maternity wedding”.
If those words have a pretty obvious meaning, there is a third and quite euphemistic way to speak about shotgun wedding: 「おめでた婚」 “omedeta kon”: a “blessed” marriage.
Let’s see the word dekikon used in a conversation between two friends:
(Dansei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa) A: Jitsuwa, saraigetsu ni kekkon suru koto ni natta nda. B: E? Soreha omedetō. Zuibun kyūda na. Moshikashite, dekikon? A: Un,-sō…
English Translation (two male friends are discussing together) A：To tell the truth, in two months, I am getting married. B：Wow, that is a great news! Congratulations! That was pretty quick. Wait. Don’t tell me it’s a shotgun wedding? A：Actually… Yeah.
(Jyosei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa) A: Kiita? C san ha raigetsu kekkon suru sou desu. B: Ee. Dekikon rashidesune. A: E-, shiranakattan desu.
English translation (Two female friends are discussing together) A: Have you heard? C san is apparently getting married next month. B: Yeah. Seems to be a shotgun wedding. A: Eh? I didn’t know.
Of course, as it is used casually with friends, family, or those close to you, you should avoid using it in more formal conversation.
Credit CC BY 2.0: amira_a Title: Let love rule source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s see how Japanese people would casually speak about seduction and picking up someone!
Picking People up?
We frequently read in the news that Japanese people are becoming less and less interested in love stories and dating. That might be true, but picking up girls and boys is still a trend along Tokyo’s night districts. Just a quick search on the Internet, you’ll be quick to see how much the Japanese Youth love wandering about to invite someone on a date or even seduce them. You will also find that young Japanese people also tend to try their luck along the streets of Tokyo at night, attracting girls’ attention with pick-up lines. This type of flirtation is called in the Japanese slang would be known as “nanpa suru” 「ナンパする」 for men and “gyaku nan suru” 「逆ナンする」 for women.
If you have been in Japan and went out at night, you might have noticed those guys hanging on the street, calling girls. They are actually calling girls they don’t know with some pretty simple and common lines:
“do you wanna go to karaoke?”: 「カラオケ行かない？」
“do you wanna go for a drink?”:「一緒に飲みに行かない？」
“do you want to see my dog at home?” :「うちの犬、見に来ない？」
Where did the Word come from?
The word “nanpa” comes from the Japanese word for “moderate” 「軟派」. In Japanese slang however, nanpa 「ナンパ」 alone means “seducer“, “smooth talker” or even “ladies’ man”. When you add the verb suru「する」it refers to the action of picking up women.
Gyaku 「逆」means “reverse” or “opposite”. “Gyaku nan suru” refers to women picking men in the street, inviting them somewhere with similar techniques. When you are hit on by someone, you will say “nanpa sareru” 「ナンパされる」 or “gyaku nan sareru” 「逆ナンされる」. By doing nanpa/gyaku nan regularly, you might be taken for a shallow person.
Rei1: Otoko tomodachi no kaiwa A: Kinō, kurabu de metcha taipu no ko ga itandakedo. B: O~o. A: Nanpa shiyou to shitara, hoka no yatsu ni saki kosa re chatta nda yoo.
English Translation Two guy friends are having a conversation A： There was a super hot girl at the club yesterday. B： Oh. A： I tried to pick (nanpa) her up, but another guy beat me to it.
Rei2: Wakai on’nanoko dōshi no kaiwa A: Saikin, kareshi ga dekita nda. B: Doko de shiri atta no? A: Shibuya de gyaku Nan shita !?
English Translation
A conversation between two young women A: I got a boyfriend recently. B: Where did you meet him? A: I picked (gyaku nanpa) him up in Shibuya. So next time you are ready to party with your friends in Japan and looking for love… You know how to express it! Also, here’s how you can ask someone to go out on a date with you in Japanese! ;D
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Describing someone as Egocentric, Selfish or even Self-centered…
Jiko chuu「自己チュー」「自己中」「ジコチュー」!
It is a well known fact that Japanese society cares for selflessness and considers it to be an important value. For Japanese people, nothing is greater than to put others’ need before oneself. If you are familiar with Japanese movies, anime or manga, you understand how deeply self-sacrifice is rooted in Japanese popular culture.
You can feel that selflessness in the notion of omotenashi, the Japanese sense of hospitality. Tourists and foreigners living in Japan are often surprised by how Japanese people are thoughtful and extremely helpful even with no gain to themselves.
Derivation of the Word 自己中 (Jikochuu)
That being said… Everyone has their selfish moment! And there is a perfect Japanese Slang word to express someone’s selfishness: Jiko chuu, 「自己チュー」「自己中」「ジコチュー」.
Not to be confused with Jikoshoukai, Jiko chuu is an abbreviation of the word 自己中心的 (jiko chuu shin teki) which means selfish, egocentric, or self-centered.
This Japanese slang word is used to talk about someone who thinks he/she is pretty much the most important person in the world and he/she couldn’t care less about doing things for other people.
Obviously, this word does not carry a positive meaning. As it belong to Japanese slang, jiko chuu should only be used casually with friends, family or those close to you. This expression can also be used with the characters for man, woman, or person as follows:
「自己チュー男」(jikochuu otoko)、selfish man
「自己チュー女」(jikochuu onna)、 selfish woman or
「自己チューな人」(jikochuu hito)、 selfish person
In Japanese society, as we said previously, one should pay attention to others and particularly be careful not to hurt their feeling. Spend too much time talking about you, and you will quickly look like a self centered person.
例：彼女は他人のことを気にしない。言いかえれば、自己中だ。
Rei: kannojo ha hokano hito no koto wo ki ni shinai. Iikaereba, jiko chuu da.
Example: She doesn’t pay attention to others; in other words, she is selfish.
In a Formal Context…
Now that you know the slang word for selfish, what would you say in a more proper language ? Well, if you wish to express the selfishness of someone in formal language, you will use instead “waga mama“「わがまま」
「彼はわがままです」 (kare ha waga mama desu): He is selfish.
「わがままな子供」 (waga mamana kodomo): A selfish child.
Let’s see an example of a casual conversation between friends:
A : Ne kiite. Uchi no dannatte honto ni jikokchuu! B : Doushita no? A : Watashi ga terebi wo miteru no ni, nani mo iwanaide katte ni channeru wo kaetandayo. B : Aa, sore ha tashika ni chotto jikochuu da ne…
Let’s take a look at the English translation:
(Two female friends are talking amongst each other) A：Ugh, my husband is so selfish! B：Whoa, what happened? A：I was just watching TV when he came over and without saying anything, he changed the channel! B：Oh, indeed. That is kinda selfish… From now on, if you want to complain about the selfishness of your friend, you know what to say!
Credit CC-BY-SA: Martin Abegglen Title: egoist Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society.
If you have been to Japan and met with some Japanese friends, you might know by now how deeply they care to be on time. Indeed, one of the most important values of Japanese society is to respect others. Arriving on time or even better, early, is considered the polite thing to do when you meet with someone. Sadly, no one can always be one time, and sometimes even showing to the date might be impossible! What would you say the day you are stood up by a Japanese? Or what would you say if, at the last minute, you have to cancel a rendezvous with a friend?
Definition
Well, in Japanese slang, it would be “dotakyan (suru)“, 「ドタキャン(する）」, the meaning being “to cancel an appointment at the last minute”. This word is a construction between Japanese and English. The word “dotanba” means “last minute” in Japanese. It is joined with “kyan” short for the word “kyanseru” 「キャンセル」 made on the English “cancel“. Japanese slang words are often made by a combination of Japanese and English.
When you are the one canceling, you will use “dotakyan suru” but if you are the one who got stood up, you will use “dotakyan sareru” 「ドタキャンされる」.
Originally, this expression was a technical word used among those from the entertainment and travel industries. It became common to use it around the 1990’s and is now used by everyone. A quick search on the Internet shows many articles wondering about the reasons why someone would cancel at the last moment and how one should react!
Examples of usage
(1) A conversation with a friend Woman 1：あれ、どうしたの？何かあった？ Woman 2：ちょっと、聞いてよ。明日デートの約束してたのに、またドタキャンされちゃった！
Roma-ji Woman 1：are? doshitano? nanika atta? Woman 2：Chotto kiiteyo. Ashita deeto no yakusoku shitetanoni mata dotakyan sarechatta.
English translation Woman 1 : Oh, what’s going on? Did something happen? Woman 2 : Listen to this. I had a date tomorrow, but it got canceled at the last moment again! (2) An email to a close colleague ごめん！急な仕事が入って、残業になってしまいました。。 今日の飲み会、残念ながら行けません。 ドタキャンで本当にごめんなさい！！
Roma-ji Gomen, kyuu-na shigoto ga haitte, zangyo ni natteshimaimashita. Kyoo no nomikai, zannen nagara ikemasen.. Dotakyan de hontoni sumimasen..
Email to co-worker I’m sorry! An urgent job just came in, so I have to work overtime It is really regrettable, but I will not be able to go to today’s drinking party. I’m really sorry to cancel at the last moment!
(3) Simple apologies 昨日はドタキャンしてすみませんでした。
Roma-ji Kinou ha dotakyan shite sumimasen deshita.
English translation I am sorry that I canceled at the last minute yesterday.
Of course, you should always be careful to not do “dotakyan” to someone. Of course, canceling a meeting or a date at the last minute is badly seen everywhere, but in Japan, you are considered as extremely rude, and you should always cancel with your deepest apologies. Remember that this expression can be addressed only if you are canceling right before the time given. For example, you cannot use it in an apology to cancel tomorrow’s appointment.
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Ever wanted to learn a few Kansai-ben phrases? Kansai-ben is one of Japan’s most recognizable and lively regional dialects, known for its humor, warmth, and expressive flair. Spoken in cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, to many of us who don’t speak it, it sounds more casual, playful, and emotional than standard Japanese. In fact, many comedians use Kansai-ben because it just feels funnier and more down-to-earth.
If you’re planning a trip to the Kansai region or just want to understand Japanese pop culture better, learning a few key Kansai-ben phrases will help you connect with locals, catch jokes you’d otherwise miss, and sound a lot more natural in conversation. Let’s learn a few Kansai ben phrases to know!
What is Kansai-Ben?
Kansai-ben is just the dialect of the Kansai region, which includes major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe (famous for their Kobe beef), as well as prefectures like Nara, which boasts many cultural heritage sites. Kansai-ben is characterized by its more expressive nature and its softer sound. For example, in standard Japanese, sentences often end in だ (da), but in Kansai-ben, they end in や (ya), resulting in a softer sound.
You may have already heard that Japan has many regional dialects, which can range from minor changes in pronunciation to completely different vocabulary and grammar. If you’re not familiar with these differences, it can definitely catch you off guard and make you feel like you suddenly can’t understand anything.
Kansai-ben, particularly from Kyoto, is one of the influential dialects in Japan, having strongly influenced Keigo, or Japanese honorific speech. Even outside of formal speech, Kansai-ben phrases have spread into standard Japanese, with words like めっちゃ (meccha) or おもろい (omoroi).
This is one of the most iconic Kansai-ben phrases, practically the symbol of Kansai humor. You’ll hear it constantly in Osaka, especially in manzai comedy, where one person says something absurd and the other immediately snaps back with “なんでやねん！”
It’s usually used in a playful, joking, or exaggerated way rather than in anger. It’s perfect for expressing disbelief, reacting to someone teasing you, or responding to a silly comment.
It’s also so well-known that even people outside Kansai use it for comedic effect.
Example:
僕は一番有名なスターだよ。 Boku wa ichiban yuumeina sutaa dayo. I am the most famous superstar.
なんでやねん！ Nandeyanen! What are you talking about?
2. おおきに (Ookini): Thank you
Standard Japanese: ありがとう (Arigatou)
Meaning: “Thank you.”
おおきに (ookini) is a classic Kansai-ben expression meaning “thank you” in Japanese that carries a warm, charming nuance, reminiscent of old-fashioned Kansai culture. It’s still commonly used in Osaka, Kyoto, and especially in older shopping streets. It has a friendly, nostalgic feel, like something a kind shopkeeper or neighbor might say.
Example:
店員：これ、おまけです。 Tennin: Kore, omake desu. Shopkeeper: This is a little freebie for you.
あなた: おおきに！ Anata: Ookini! You: “Thank you so much!”
3. めっちゃ (Meccha): Very or Extremely
Standard Japanese: とても・すごく
Meaning: “Super”, “really”, or “extremely.”
If you speak some Japanese, you might actually already use the Japanese slang めっちゃ (meccha). めっちゃ (meccha) means “very” and is everywhere in Kansai, used by kids, teens, and adults. Everyone uses it casually to express and emphasize just about anything, such as how tasty something is or how horrible the weather is.
As one of the most popular Kansai expressions, it has spread beyond Kansai and become national slang, regularly used nationwide.
Example:
このラーメン、めっちゃおいしいで！ Kono ramen, meccha oishii de! This ramen is super delicious!
4. ほんま (Honma): Really?
Standard Japanese: 本当 (Hontou)
Meaning: “Really” or “seriously?”
ほんま (honma) by itself expresses genuine surprise or mild disbelief; it’s also used for emphasis. Compared to 本当 (honto), it sounds more casual, softer, and friendlier.
Kansai also uses the stronger version ほんまなん (honmanan) or ほんまかいな (honmakaina) (“No way!”).
Example:
明日、雪が降るらしいで。 Ashita, yuki ga furu rashii de. I heard it’s going to snow tomorrow.
ほんま？ Honma? Really?
5. ちゃう・ちゃうねん (Chau/Chaunen): No, actually…
Standard Japanese: 違う・違うんだ (chigau/chigaunda)
Meaning: Soft correction or explanation
If you know anything about Japanese culture, you know they tend to say no indirectly. ちゃう (chau) feels casual and gentle, great for correcting someone without sounding harsh, just like how you can 違う (chigau) in standard Japanese. Adding ねん (nen) to make ちゃうねん adds nuance, similar to: “no, see, that’s not it…” or “it’s not what you think…” You often use this form of the expression when explaining yourself.
Example:
昨日来なかったの、忘れたん？ Kinou konakatta no, wasuretan? You didn’t come yesterday, did you forget?
ちゃうねん！仕事が長引いてん。 Chaunen! Shigoto ga nagabiiten. No, it’s not that! Work ran late!
6. あかん (Akan): No Good or Oh No
Standard Japanese: だめ (dame)
Meaning: “No good”, “stop”, “this won’t work”, or “oh no.”
あかん is extremely versatile in Kansa, equivalent to だめ (dame) in standard Japanese. You can use it whenever something won’t work, doesn’t seem possible, or to say something is bad or not allowed. Depending on tone, it can be serious, funny, or dramatic.
Example:
急がなあかんで！電車来るで！ Isogana akan de! Densha kuru de! “We’ve gotta hurry! The train’s coming!”
ほな (hona) is a friendly and cheerful way to say “see you.” You’ll hear it in everyday Kansai conversations. ほな、また (hona mata) or “see you again” is especially common.
Example:
今日はありがとう。 Kyou wa arigatou. “Thanks for today.”
ほな、また！ Hona, mata! “See you later!”
8. せやな (Seyana): Yeah, that’s true
Standard Japanese: そうだね
Meaning: Agreement with a warm, approving tone.
せやな (seya na) is softer than そうだね (souda ne), which is the standard Japanese equivalent. It sounds friendly, thoughtful, and very Kansai-like. You use it to warmly agree with someone or just to express approval.
Example:
暑いなぁ。
Atsui naa.
“It’s really hot.”
せやな。
Seyana.
“Yeah, it really is.”
9. なんぼ (Nanbo?): How much is it?
Standard Japanese: いくら？
Meaning: “How much is it?”
This is a very practical Kansai phrase often used in markets, shops, and street stalls, especially in Osaka. You can use it to ask for the price of whatever you want to purchase; it’s basically the Kansai-ben equivalent of いくら (ikura) or “how much?”
Example:
これ、なんぼ？ Kore, nanbo? “How much for this?”
10. どないしたん (Donaishitan?): What’s Wrong?
Standard Japanese: どうしたの？
Meaning: “What’s wrong” or “what happened?”
どない (donai) is Kansai-ben for どうやって (douyatte), which means “how” or “what”, and した or したん (shita/shitan) is the past tense of “to do.” So, the phrase, どないしたん (donaishitan?), means something like “what happened” in English.
You can use this expression to ask someone if something is wrong while expressing care or concern.
Example:
元気ないな。どないしたん？ Genki nai na. Donaishitan? You seem down. What’s wrong?
It’s the Kansai equivalent of 〜している (~shite iru), meaning “I’m doing it,” but it adds more emphasis, often when responding to someone impatiently. Similar to saying something like this in English, “I AM doing it!”
Example:
早く準備して！ Hayaku junbi shite! Hurry up and get ready!
かまへん is the Kansai-ben evolution of kamawanai, meaning “I don’t mind”:
kamawanai → kamawahen → kamahen
It’s a very friendly, comforting phrase used to reassure someone who’s apologizing or feeling bad about a small inconvenience. You’ll hear it often among friends, coworkers, and even older Kansai locals.
It feels warmer and relaxed than the Kantou version, 大丈夫 (daijoubu) or 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide).
Example:
行けなくてごめん。 Ikenakute gomen. Sorry, I can’t make it.
かまへん、かまへん。 Kamahen, kamahen. It’s fine, don’t worry about it!
13. おもろい (Omoroi): Funny
Standard Japanese: おもしろい (Omoshiroi)
Meaning: “Funny,” “interesting,” “entertaining,” or “amusing.”
おもろい (omoroi) is one of the most recognizable Kansai-ben adjectives. It carries a casual, lively nuance and is used constantly in Osaka, the comedy capital of Japan. Compared to the standard おもしろい (omoshiroi), おもろい feels more expressive, more humorous, and more “Kansai-like.”
People use it to describe funny people, amusing situations, entertaining TV shows, or interesting stories or events. Depending on the situation, the nuance can change with hints of positive or, at times, strange connotations.
Generally, the phrase carries a warm, upbeat emotion that fits Kansai’s reputation for humor and friendliness.
Example:
昨日のバラエティ番組、見た？ Kinou no baraeti bangumi, mita? Did you watch that variety show yesterday?
見た見た！めっちゃおもろかったで！ Mita mita! Meccha omorokatta de! Yeah, I did! It was super funny!
14. あんた (Anta): You
Standard Japanese: あなた
Meaning: You (casual)
We know that there are many ways to say “you” in Japanese, and this Kansai phrase is one of them. あんた (anta), the Kansai version of あなた (anata), meaning “you.” It can sound casual or blunt, but it is often affectionate, especially when used with friends. However, just like in anata, the word can be rather direct, so it’s best to avoid it with strangers or on formal occasions.
あんさん (ansan) is an older, polite Kansai form often used by shopkeepers.
Example:
あんた、ほんま優しいな。
Anta, honma yasashiina.
You’re really kind.
15. ～やねん (~Yanen): It’s because…
Standard Japanese: ～なんだよ
Meaning: “because” or for adding emphasis
Rather than being a complete phrase, it’s more of a grammatical point that is used to explain a reason or add emphasis on something.
Example:
今日は行かれへんねん。仕事やねん。 Kyou wa ikarehen nen. Shigoto yanen I can’t go today. It’s because I have work.
16. はよ (Hayo): Hurry up!
In standard Japanese, the word for “fast” is 早い (hayai), but in Kansai-ben, speakers commonly use はよ (hayo) to mean “quickly,” “hurry up,” or “early.” The phrase はよ originates from the standard Japanese 早く（hayaku), shortened in typical Kansai fashion. While it may sound blunt to non-Kansai speakers, the tone is usually playful and friendly, especially among friends or family, and it rarely comes across as rude in context.
Conclusion: Try Using These Top Kansai-Ben Phrases!
Try to remember these common Kansai-ben phrases, and you’ll quickly see that the dialect isn’t too difficult to understand or use. These expressions highlight just how expressive, warm, and humorous Kansai speech naturally is. By learning them, you get a small glimpse into another side of Japan, one known for its friendly, lively, and casual way of communicating.
Learn More Unique Japanese Phrases by Learning Japanese!
Of course, to truly feel confident speaking Japanese, especially when interacting with people who use different regional dialects, it’s best to practice with professional Japanese teachers who can guide you through real, practical conversations. With the right support, you’ll not only understand Kansai-ben better but also grow more comfortable communicating in Japanese wherever you go.
There’s no other school that provides this better than Coto Academy, where we offer both in-person and online classes that can be tailored to your specific needs! What are you waiting for? Sign up now and start speaking Japanese right away!
FAQ
What is Kansai-ben?
Kansai-ben is the regional dialect spoken in the Kansai area of Japan, which includes Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Wakayama, Shiga, and Hyogo. It’s known for its expressive tone, unique vocabulary, and friendly, humorous feel. Many comedians in Japan use Kansai-ben, which has helped popularize it nationwide.
How is Kansai-ben different from Standard Japanese?
Kansai-ben differs from Standard Japanese in vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence endings. Some examples include: だ (da) → や (ya), すごく (sugoku) → めっちゃ (meccha), and おもしろい (omoshiroi) → おもろい (omoroi).
Where is Kansai-ben spoken?
It is spoken throughout the Kansai region, especially in major cities like Osaka (known for strong, humorous Kansai-ben) and Kyoto (known for softer, more elegant Kansai-ben). Each area even has slight variations within the dialect.
Should I learn Kansai-ben if I’m traveling to Osaka or Kyoto?
It’s not necessary, but knowing a few phrases will definitely make locals smile! Kansai people are proud of their dialect, and using even one Kansai phrase (like めっちゃ or おおきに) can help you connect more naturally.
Is Kansai-ben considered polite or rude?
It’s not necessarily more polite or rude; it’s just different. However, Kansai-ben can sound stronger or more casual compared to Standard Japanese, so it’s often associated with humor or friendliness rather than formality. Polite Kansai-ben exists, but it’s used less frequently in casual conversation.
What are some fun or funny Kansai-ben phrases?
Kansai-ben is known for humor, so many expressions feel playful or exaggerated. Here are a few iconic ones:
あほ (aho): “Silly or goofy”, similar to ばか (baka) but friendlier
なんでやねん！(Nande yanen!): “What are you talking about?!” / “Seriously?!”
