Eng 
日本語 
Have you ever heard the word “baka” used in Japanese? Do you know what it means? If you are an avid anime viewer or you are living in Japan, you have most likely heard the word used quite frequently. Maybe you’ve pieced together that the word is an insult of sorts, but what does it mean and where does it come from?
In this article, we are going to look at the word “baka”, what it means, and why you probably shouldn’t say it!
What Does “Baka” Mean in Japanese?
The Japanese word “Baka” ばか (sometimes written in katakana: バカ) basically means “fool” or “idiot”. Depending on the nuance, context, and tone of the speaker it can range from a playful “you dummy” – to an offensive insult heaped upon a man and his household.
Baka’s kanji is 馬鹿. 馬 meaning “horse” (uma), and 鹿 which means “deer” (shika).
The exact reason why these kanji are used is unclear – but there are some possible origin stories listed in the article below.
The exact genesis or etymology of this term is unknown, but some suggest that it was used to refer to someone from a bankrupt family. The implication here is that they are so stupid that they couldn’t NOT be bankrupt.
However, in the modern age, “baka” can also have more lighthearted uses – but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be careful.
How and When to Use (or Not Use) “Baka”
Do: Call Your Friends “Baka” Playfully (Sometimes)
Okay. Here is an example of a situation where you can use “baka”: with your friends.
For example, maybe your friend is doing something stupid – like trying to catch a fish in a pond. Ope, he/she slipped, now they are all wet.
ばか！
And then you help fish them out – because that’s what friends are for. Very playful, very appropriate.
But you don’t want to overdo it. Calling your friends “baka” too much might not be very nice, so you want to use discretion in how often you use this word.
Do: Use “Baka” Among Your Friends
“Baka” can also be used as a positive descriptor, as the English adjectives “extremely” or “ridiculously”. For example, ばかうまい (baka umai) which can be translated as “ridiculously good” or “extremely delicious” depending on the context.
To use, just put “baka” ばか in front of a Japanese adjective to make it more extreme. This is a very colloquial use of the word and should be limited to friends or family.
Don’t: Use “Baka” With Strangers
It probably goes without saying, but this one is an absolute “Don’t”. Even if you think you are just joking around with someone you just meant – it’s probably not a wise idea. They might even react with laughter on the surface – but more likely than not, that is merely tatemae.
It is extremely offensive to use this word with someone you do not know. So just don’t do it.
Don’t: Use “Baka” With Anyone “Above” You
This goes hand in hand with “Strangers” written above, but you should avoid using this word when talking to people higher up. This includes bosses, supervisors, teachers, your father-in-law, etc.
Even if you want to use it as a descriptor, it’s probably better to opt instead for とても or めっちゃ (めっちゃ is the more casual) if you want to emphasize something.
Unless this is someone above you that you are really close to, just avoid it.
What About “Aho”?
The insult “Aho” is similar to “Baka”. It means “idiot” or “fool” like “Baka” does. However, the usage actually varies by location a bit. In the Kansai area (Kyoto/Osaka), “Aho” is used quite a bit – similar to how “baka” is used in Kanto (east Japan).
You can think of them almost like opposites: in Kansai, “Aho” is used frequently, and can be lighthearted or insulting, while “Baka” is thought to be a bit harsher.
Meanwhile in Kanto (East Japan; greater Tokyo area), “Baka” is used more often and is more nuanced in its usage, but “Aho” is a bit stronger and not so frequently used.
