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.
Jikochuu
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.
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やれやれ (yare yare)! You might recognize this iconic phrase dramatized in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. You probably remember the line from Jotaro Kujo, who exclaims the catchphrase whenever he’s annoyed or bored. Even for people who haven’t watched Jojo, the line has been immortalized as a trending internet image with the titular character holding his cap and the text saying “Yare Yare Daze”.
The famous catchphrase is translated to interpretations such as “well, well,” “good grief,” and “give me a break.” It is a common expression in Japan used to show disappointment and is also a sarcastic expression of feeling bad for the other person. But as cool or entertaining as it sounds in Jojo, what does it really mean, and how do you actually use it in natural Japanese conversation, if at all? Continue reading to find out!
Meaning of やれやれ (Yare Yare)
やれやれ (yare yare), as simple as it sounds, is a deceptively multi-layered phrase that can convey a variety of different expressions. Unlike a simple “oh well”, its most common English translation, yare yare, conveys emotion through context and tone. It can mean any of the following:
Annoyance or exasperation: “Good grief…”
Resignation: “Well, here we go again…”
Relief after effort: “Phew, that’s over…”
Subtle sarcasm: “Yeah, sure…”
Think of it as a phrase that carries a sigh inside of it. It’s basically an expression of disappointment, cathartic relief, or irony, either through sarcasm or playful teasing. Rather than finding a word-for-word translation, you can think of yare yare as a way of expressing a certain set of emotions that can apply to different situations.
The expression yare is an old Japanese interjection used in classical language to show emotion. It could mean “oh!”, “ah!”, or be used as a sigh of relief. Doubling the word into やれやれ gave it a rhythmic sound, softening it into something that feels like an audible sigh.
A common misconception is that やれやれ (yare yare) is an onomatopoeia. While it looks similar to onomatopoeic expressions (since it repeats the same word), it is actually an interjection (感動詞). Unlike onomatopoeia, it does not represent a sound or a state, and it cannot be used in the same grammatical way.
For example, onomatopoeic words can often be turned into verbs with する:
ドキドキする Doki doki suru To feel one’s heart pounding
But you cannot say やれやれする. やれやれ functions like other interjections, such as あの or ほら. It stands alone and conveys an attitude, like relief, resignation, or mild exasperation, rather than describing a sound or feeling.
You’ll find examples in older Japanese literature where yare yare was used in moments of relief after hardship or when a character resigned themselves to a situation. Over time, the phrase shifted into everyday language, carrying shades of “thank goodness,” “what a bother,” or “good grief.”
Today, it’s more common in casual speech, especially when expressing annoyance, mild frustration, or relief. Outside of Japan, it is most associated with the anime or manga, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and the resulting internet memes from the show, which feature the famous やれやれだぜ catchphrase along with an image of the main protagonist, Jotaro Kujo, tipping his hat.
Before attempting to use the phrase in a real conversation, remember that yare yare is closer to Japanese slang than a formal Japanese word. Make sure to use it with a friend and not a stranger, someone who is older, or someone like your boss. If you have lived in Japan for a while or if you watched enough anime, you might be familiar with the Senpai-Kohai culture. As part of social manners and business etiquette in Japan, it is proper to be polite and use respectful language when speaking with elders or your superiors.
Our top advice is to use yare yare with a friend you know well and understand your sense of humor, since yare yare can sometimes be interpreted as rude.
In the anime or manga community, “yare yare” is a popular phrase from the renowned JoJo memes. Often featured on social media with an image of Jotaro Kujo shaking his head. If you have watched The King of the Hill, you can interpret “Yare Yare” as a version of Hank Hill’s “That Boy Ain’t Right.”
How is ”Yare Yare” Used in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
From Know Your Meme
“やれやれだぜ,” pronounced “Yare Yare Daze,” is the quote repeated many times by Jotaro Kujo, the main character of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The story was later adapted into an anime by David Productions in 2014, with the catchphrase making its first appearance and eventually gaining popularity online.
When he uses it in the anime or manga, he’s typically implying that he is annoyed or bored. So it could mean that he is looking down on his enemy, which suggests his victory. Similar to the expression “what a pain” in English. These are some of the iconic “yare yare” quotes in the series: Kujo Jotaro: やれやれ うるせえ男だ Yare yare, urusee otoko da. Good grief, what a loud guy.
Jean: ・・・承太郎！ Jotarou! …Jotaro!
Kujo Jotaro: やれやれだぜ Yare yare da ze. Well, well.
How To Use Yare Yare in Japanese
Now, let’s get into some ways you can use yare yare in real Japanese conversation!
1. Using Yare Yare When Annoyed by Someone or Something
The iconic やれやれだぜ (yare yare daze) repeated by Jotaro Kujo is actually a great example of how to use this expression when you are annoyed or bored. While in the context of the show, it could also imply that Jotaro Kujo is looking down on his enemy, or bring a bit of a tough, macho nuance to the expression.
But its usage is essentially the same when you are annoyed or find something or someone to be a nuisance, similar to the expression “what a pain” in English. If you have watched The King of the Hill, you can interpret “yare yare” as a version of Hank Hill’s “that boy ain’t right” in reference to his annoyance at his son’s strange antics.
One of the iconic “yare yare” quotes from the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure series:
やれやれ うるせえ男だ
Yare yare urusee otokoda.
Good grief, what a loud guy.
A more realistic example of yare yare when you’re annoyed:
やれやれ、また彼が遅刻した。
Yare yare, mata kare ga chikoku shita.
Good grief, he’s late again
2. Using Yare Yare When YouFeel Relieved
You can also use yare yare when you want to express relief after something is finished, especially something that was difficult or anything you felt was tedious. You can think of the phrase in this case as a sigh of relief, similar to saying “phew, it’s finally over”. It captures a sort of nuance of catharsis after something is over. Here is an example of how you can use yare yare to express relief:
やれやれ、やっと終わった。
Yare yare, yatto owatta.
Phew, it’s finally over.
3. Using Yare Yare When Expressing Resignation
You can also use “yare yare” as a way of expressing resignation or your acceptance of a somewhat unfortunate situation, especially when events keep repeating. For instance, if your friend keeps making the same mistake or makes a mistake that seems predictable. You can say “yare yare” to express something like “nothing’s changed” or even a subtle sarcastic remark like “of course, it happened again”. Here are some scenarios of how to use yare yare in this way.
Scenario 1: Your friend comes to you with the same problems again
This is one of those situations where you say it separately, like, “Oh boy, not again.”
やれやれ、また同じ問題か。
Yare yare, mata onaji mondai ka.
Oh boy, the same problem again.
Scenario 2: Your friend recently broke their heart When your friend tells you about their latest heartbreak, you might respond with やれやれ. It conveys a sense of mild sympathy, like saying, “Oh dear… not again,” without being too harsh. It shows you acknowledge their situation while expressing a gentle, resigned reaction.
You: 顔色悪いね。どうしたの？ Kao iro warui ne. Dou shita no? You seem pale. What happened?
Your friend: 最近、彼氏と別れたから落ち込んでるの。 Saikin, kareshito wakareta kara ochi konde iruno I recently broke up with my boyfriend. That is why I’m sad.
You: やれやれ、あれほど言ったのに。 Yare yare, arehodo ittanoni. Yare Yare, I’ve told you so
Scenario 3: Your colleague is upset at work
If your colleague is frustrated about a problem at work, you might mutter やれやれ under your breath. It expresses a feeling of mild exasperation, similar to saying, “Oh, what now…” or “Here we go again.” It shows empathy for the situation while also signaling that you recognize the ongoing trouble.
You: さっきのプレゼンテーション、上手く行った？ Sakki no purezenteenshon umaku itta? Did you do well on the presentation earlier?
Your friend: 緊張していて上手くいかなかった。 Kincho shite ite umaku ikanakatta It didn’t go well because I was nervous.
You: そうなのね、やれやれ。 Sou nanone. Yare yare I see, yare, yare.”
Final Remarks on Yare Yare
Yare yare is one of those Japanese expressions that can’t be neatly translated into a single English phrase. Instead, it captures a feeling: whether that’s irritation, relief, or quiet resignation. It’s less about words and more about the sigh or shrug behind them.
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FAQ
Is yare yare a formal phrase?
No, it’s casual and used in everyday or personal contexts. You wouldn’t use it in a business setting.
Can women use yare yare too?
Yes, it’s gender-neutral. However, the JoJo version やれやれだぜ (yare yare daze) sounds masculine because of the -da ze ending.
What’s the closest English translation to yare yare?
Common equivalents are “good grief,” “oh boy,” “phew,” or “here we go again,” depending on context.
Is yare yare used often in Japan today?
Yes, but usually in casual conversation or storytelling. Anime and manga tend to exaggerate their use for dramatic effect.
Can I use yare yare when I finish work?
Yes, if you want to express relief, like saying “Phew, that’s done.” But in a work setting, phrases like otsukaresama desu are more appropriate.
Did JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure invent yare yare?
No, it existed long before, but the character Jotaro Kujo popularized やれやれだぜ internationally.
Halloween in Japan is just around the corner, and when is better time to learn some Japanese Halloween vocabulary, if not now? How else can you describe some of the ghosts, monsters, and creepy crawlers that will spring up across the nation? Japan is no stranger to celebrating various occasions, and Halloween is quickly gaining popularity, with Halloween-themed events and house parties becoming increasingly widespread.
People don’t just dress up in costumes and show up to different Halloween events in Tokyo. If you’re planning to parade around the city, it helps to know some Halloween-themed Japanese words, whether you want to describe your own costume or comment on someone else’s.
So, what are some key terms to know and look out for to make the most out of Halloween in Japan? Read more to find out!
Is Halloween Celebrated in Japan? Is it Different From the U.S.?
Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, especially in larger cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, unlike in the U.S., Halloween in Japan is more focused on public festivities than on trick-or-treating at homes.
The spooky season is particularly popular among young people, thanks to its fun supernatural themes and the opportunity to wear costumes. Large costume events, such as the one in Ikebukuro, often focus on character cosplays from Japanese video games and anime.
While Japan hosts many cosplay-focused events, Halloween costumes in Japan and the U.S. share similarities. People in both countries enjoy dressing up as characters from movies, pop culture, and even Japanese media, so in terms of costumes, Halloween isn’t too different between the two countries.
The biggest difference is trick-or-treating, which has not caught on in Japan as much as costume events. Small-scale trick-or-treat activities may occur at elementary schools or locally organized events, but generally, only young children participate rather than entire neighborhoods or cities.
20 Scary Japanese Words About Halloween
1. ハロウィン (Harouin): Halloween
First up, the basic Halloween vocabulary in Japanese. Let’s take a look at the word ハロウィン (Harowin). Want to guess what it means? You’ve probably already guessed it by looking at the romaji, haven’t you? Well, for those who are still trying to figure it out, it actually means Halloween. Written in Katakana, it is more or less a direct translation from the English Word “Halloween” itself.
2. 南瓜 (Kabocha): Pumpkin
Of course, we cannot write about Japanese Halloween vocabulary without including pumpkin. Pumpkin, or 南瓜 (kabocha), is often written in hiragana as かぼちゃ instead of kanji. Kabocha translates to pumpkin or winter squash, and is one of the most popular autumn flavors in Japan.
The term also describes the Japanese variety of pumpkin that has a deep, dark green outside and an orange-colored flesh on the inside. The texture is soft and smooth, and the flavor is somewhat sweet with nutty notes. The fruit (fun fact: kabocha is botanically a fruit) is commonly used in Japanese cuisine, especially when it’s in season, which is around autumn and winter. You can find it in tempura, nabe, and a variety of other popular dishes.
So, to conclude, the word kabocha covers both the western and Japanese pumpkin. This term can describe the iconic Halloween pumpkin monster and the winter squash found in Japanese cuisine.
3. あめ (Ame): Candy
あめ is the word for candy, generally referring to the hard candies derived from sugars and starches such as rice, cornstarch, or potatoes. For a more general term encompassing all varieties of candy, such as chocolate, nougats, and caramels, you can say キァンディー (kiandii).
4. お墓 (Ohaka): Grave
お墓 (おはか), or ohaka, refers to the Japanese grave or tombstone. Japanese tombs look physically different compared to Western graves, but they play a similar role as a physical structure representing an ancestor or loved one being laid to rest.
While graves might be a common prop in Halloween decorations, in Japan, the Obon festival (which takes place in August) is when Japanese people visit family graves, which is known as お墓参り(ohaka mairi)
5. お化け (Obake): Ghost
お化け (obake) refers to ghosts or paranormal beings in general. The term obake comes from the term 化ける (bakeru), which means to transform. The term is similar to 化け物 (bakemono), which broadly refers to creatures that transform; one famous example is the kitsune, or shape-shifting fox, found in Japanese folklore.
The term now generally describes ghosts similar to yuurei (which we will describe next), as well as the paranormal, such as its usage in お化け屋敷 (obake yashiki) or haunted house. Obake yashiki are a popular activity in many theme parks, so be sure to visit one this Halloween!
6. 幽霊 (Yuurei): Spirit
幽霊 (ゆうれい), or Yuurei, refers to Japanese ghosts or spirits found throughout Japanese folklore. They are generally restless spirits who are tied to the world due to strong unresolved emotions, but are not necessarily dangerous. For example, they can be stuck in the world due to their love for their child and remain to watch over them like an invisible guardian.
Yuurei, who have strong emotions of anger or hatred, known as 怨霊 (onryou), meaning vengeful spirits, are very dangerous. So, be careful not to come across an onryou this Halloween!
7. 骸骨 (Gaikotsu): Skeleton
Another in our Japanese Halloween vocabulary list is gaikotsu. Gaikotsu refers to skeletons, usually human ones. This word generally describes the whole skeletal body of a human. To describe the skull, you can use the word 頭蓋骨 (zugai kotsu).
8. ミイラ (Miira): Mummy
You might think that the Japanese word for mummy is a literal loanword: maami. But for this preserved body, the Japanese language uses the Portuguese word mirra (myrrh). This is because miira refers to mummies wrapped in bandages, just like in horror movies. You’ll often see them in haunted houses (お化け屋敷, or obake yashiki) during Halloween events.
You are probably thinking of Akuma from the video game, Street Fighter. But they got the name of the character from an ancient Japanese term for devil or demon. The word can be traced back to Buddhist texts from around 700 AD. The character 悪 (aku) translates to “evil” or “bad” and 魔 (ma) just refers to the devil, so the literal meaning is “evil devil”. You really can’t find a more evil entity than Akuma.
10. 魔女 (Majo): Witch
Ma (魔) means demon or evil spirit, and jo (女) means woman. Together, 魔女 means witch. In Japanese culture, witches can appear as either frightening villains or magical heroines, depending on the story. Think of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, which in Japanese is 魔女の宅急便 (Majo no Takkyubin), translating literally to witch delivery service.
In Japan, witches are not always represented as evil or malevolent; instead, they can be good-spirited people who have magical abilities.
Can you learn Japanese from anime like Kiki’s Delivery Service? To find out, read our blog on Learning Japanese with Anime!
11. 吸血鬼 (Kyuuketsutki): Vampire
Literally “blood-sucking demon.” 吸 (kyuu) means “to suck,” 血 (ketsu or chi) means “blood,” and 鬼 (ki or oni) means “demon.” Much like in the West, in Japanese media, vampires can be both terrifying and romanticized.
12. こうもり (Koumori): Bat
Often associated with darkness, caves, and vampires. While not inherently scary in Japanese culture, bats take on a spooky vibe during Halloween. This more scary image of the bat was adopted along with the Halloween holiday from the West.
13. 黒猫 (Kuroneko): Black Cat
In Japan, black cats have mixed symbolism. They can bring bad luck (like in the West) but are also considered good luck for single women, believed to help attract suitors. On Halloween, they’re more on the spooky side.
14. クモ (Kumo): Spider
Spiders are associated with fear and creepiness, especially their webs in haunted settings. In folklore, there’s even the Jorougumo (絡新婦), a spider woman who lures men to their doom.
15. ドキドキ(Doki doki): Heart Beating
Similarly, ドキドキ (Doki-Doki) is the onomatopoeia for a beating heart and actually has a wide range of uses in Japanese. It can be used to indicate excitement, nervousness, or as a way of expressing fear.
怖い(こわい)、心臓(しんぞう)がドキドキしちゃうよ!
Kowai, shinzou ga doki-doki shichau yo!
That’s scary, my heart is beating so fast right now.
16. 怒り(Ikari) – Anger or Hatred
The word 怒り(Ikari) can be used to express the anger and hatred that someone holds towards another individual. This word conveys intense anger or wrath. In Japanese folklore and horror, 怨霊 (onryou), which we described earlier, comes from the word 怒り(ikari) or anger and 霊(ryou/rei) or spirit. So, together the term means angry spirit.
17. 呪い (Noroi): Curse
Spells, hexes, and dark magic are all noroi. In Japanese horror, cursed objects, or noroi no ningyou (呪いの人形), and cursed videos, or noroi no bideo (呪いのビデオ), are common scary themes.
18. びっくり(Bikkuri): Surprised
Not always negative, but in a scary setting, it’s the sudden shock or jump-scare feeling. You can say びっくりした!, or “That scared me!” when surprised by a jump-scare from a horror movie or haunted house. Alternatively, you can also say the slang form, びびる (bibiru).
19. 不気味 (Bukimi): Eerie or Creepy
Not necessarily a Halloween-themed Japanese vocabulary, bukimi describes something unsettling, eerie, or unnerving, like an abandoned house at night or a creepy doll staring at you. Perfect Halloween atmosphere.
20怖い (Kowai): Scared
怖い (kowai) is an essential Japanese adjective for scary, usually as a way of expressing that something looks or is scary. For example, you can say “ホラー映画が怖いです”(horaa eiga ga kowai desu) or “horror movies are scary”. However, a common pitfall beginners make is when they say “私は怖い” (watashi wa kowai), which means “I am scary.” To say that “I am scared,” you must say, “私は怖がっている” (watashi wa kowagattiru).
Alternatively, the word 恐怖 (kyoufu) can also be used to express your fears and dread for something.
Expand Your Emotions With Japanese Halloween Words
Learning Halloween vocabulary in Japanese is not just about memorizing words; it’s about exploring how Japan interprets fear, the supernatural, and the mysterious. They are not just useful in Halloween but in expressing yourself in Japanese overall. Plus, don’t miss out on trying kabocha and ame, or candy.
To get the most out of this list of words, try practicing them with a professional teacher who can guide and train you to use them in natural, everyday conversation.
Why not join Japanese lessons at Coto Academy? Our classes are designed to help you engage with real, authentic Japanese culture.
We offer intensive Japanese courses as well as part-time options, so whether you want to immerse yourself fully or fit lessons into a busy schedule, there’s something for you. Start your journey to speaking Japanese confidently today!
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Over 60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
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FAQ
Is Halloween popular in Japan?
Yes! Halloween has grown rapidly in Japan, especially in cities like Tokyo. It’s more about costumes, parties, and decorations than trick-or-treating, but spooky words definitely add to the fun.
What is the word for candy in Japanese?
Candy can either be あめ (ame), which generally describes Japanese hard candy, or キャンディー (kyandii), which refers to all varieties of candy in general.
Are there Japanese monsters or yokai tied to Halloween?
While Halloween in Japan borrows heavily from Western imagery (witches, vampires, bats), you’ll also find yokai like Jorougumo (the spider woman) or yurei (ghosts) being used in Halloween-themed events.
What are some Halloween Japanese vocabulary I should know about?
Some key Japanese Halloween vocabulary includes おばけ (obake, ghost), かぼちゃ (kabocha, pumpkin), こうもり (koumori, bat), ゾンビ (zonbi, zombie), and ハロウィン (Harowin, Halloween).
Want to expand your vocabulary beyond just Halloween-related Japanese vocabulary? You might want to check out:
