Welcome to the world of Japanese slang! ๐ย
Learning a new language can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be boring. In this guide, I’ll ditch the grammar jargon and dive into 10 essential slang phrases that’ll make you sound like a local in no time. Hope you enjoy!
1. “Suimasen” (ใใฟใพใใ): The Swiss Army Knife of Apologies
“Suimasen” is the go-to phrase for any situation that requires an apology, from bumping into someone to being late for a meeting. It’s so versatile that you can even use it to ask for help or get someone’s attention.
Fun fact: While “sumimasen” is the grammatically correct form, many Japanese people pronounce it as “suimasen.” Don’t worry, they’ll understand you either way!
Pro tip: When asking someone if they smoke, you can use the same pronunciation: “Tabako suimasu ka?” (ใฟใใณใใใพใใ๏ผ) means “Do you smoke?” Your answer can be “Suimasen” means “No, I don’t smoke.” LOL. In this case, you CANNOT use “Sumimasen” because it is a different word!
2. “Daijoubu desu” (ใ ใใใใใถ ใงใ): The All-Purpose “I’m Fine”
“Daijoubu desu” is your answer to any question about your well-being. It means “I’m fine,” “I’m okay,” or “No problem.” Use it when someone asks “Daijoubu desu ka?” (ใ ใใใใใถใงใ ใ๏ผ), which means “Are you okay?”
If you use it with your friend, you can just say “Daijoubu?” which sounds more casual.
Pro tip: If you want to express genuine concern, you can say “Daijoubu desu ka? Nanika arimashita ka?” (ใ ใใใใใถใงใใ๏ผไฝใใใใพใใใ๏ผ), which means “Are you okay? Is there anything wrong?”
3. “Mou ii desu” (ใใ ใใใงใ): “No, Thank You”
“Mou ii desu” “Mou ii desu” is a polite way to say “No, thank you” when someone offers you another serving of food or more help. It means “I don’t need any more.”
Fun fact: You can also say “Mou daijoubu desu.” which sounds a little bit more polite. It means “No, thank you” in the above mentioned situations.
“Daijoubu” is a very useful word!!! ๐
Pro tip: If you want to emphasize your gratitude, you can add “Arigatou gozaimasu” (ใใใใจใ ใใใใพใ), which means “Thank you very much.”
4. “Matte kudasai” (ใพใฃใฆ ใใ ใใ): The Universal “Wait a Minute”
“Matte kudasai” is your go-to phrase when you need someone to wait for you. It means “Please wait” or “Hold on a moment.” Use it when you’re grabbing your wallet at the checkout or trying to catch your breath after running up the stairs.
Fun fact: You can also use “Chotto matte kudasai” (ใกใใฃใจๅพ
ใฃใฆ ใใ ใใ), which means “Wait a sec” or “Just a moment.” “Chotto” means “a little bit”.
To use it with friends, just “Matte” and “Chotto matte” are good.
5. “Mou dame desu” (ใใใ ใใงใ): The Emphatic “I Can’t Take It Anymore”
“Mou dame desu” is a strong expression of exasperation or defeat. It means “I can’t take it anymore” or “I give up.” Use it only when you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Pro tip: If you want to express your frustration in a more lighthearted way, you can say “Mou iya desu” (ใใใใใงใ), which means “I’m done with this” or “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
6. “Mou sugu desu” (ใใใใใงใ): The Reassuring “It’ll Be Ready Soon”
“Mou sugu desu” is a comforting phrase that means “It’ll be ready soon” or “Just a little bit longer.” Use it when you’re keeping someone waiting, like when you’re making dinner or running late for an appointment.
Pro tip: If you want to apologize for the wait, you can add “Mou sugu desu. Osoreirimasu” (ใใใใใงใใใใใใใใพใ), which means “It’ll be ready soon. I’m sorry for the wait.”
7. “Yatta!” (ใใฃใ๏ผ): The Exuberant “I Did It!”
“Yatta!” is a celebratory exclamation that means “I did it!” or “Yes!” Use it when you achieve a goal, pass a test, or win a game.
Fun fact: You can also use “Yatta ne!” (ใใฃใใญ๏ผ), which means “We did it!” or “Congratulations!”
8. “Kekkou desu” (ใใฃใใใงใ): The Firm “No, Thank You”
“Kekkou desu” is a more direct way to say “No, thank you” when you’re declining an offer or request. It means “I don’t want to” or “I’d rather not.” Use it when you’re not interested in something or when you have other plans.
Pro tip: If you want to soften your refusal, you can add “Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, demo kekkou desu” (ใฉใใใใใใจใใใใใพใใใงใใใใฃใใใงใ), which means “Thank you very much, but I’d rather not.”
Just be careful how you say it. The tone of your voice always matters just like any other language.
9. “Wakarimasen” (ใใใใพใใ): The Honest “I Don’t Understand”
“Wakarimasen” is your go-to phrase when you’re lost or confused. It means “I don’t understand” or “I don’t get it.” Use it when someone is speaking too quickly or using unfamiliar words.
Pro tip: If you want to ask someone to repeat or clarify something, you can say “Wakarimasen. Mou ichido oshiete kudasai” (ใใใใพใใใใใใใกใฉใใใใฆใใ ใใ), which means “I don’t understand. Could you please explain it again?”
10. “Douzo” (ใฉใใ): The Polite “Please” and “Go Ahead”
“Douzo” is a versatile word that can be used to say “please” or “go ahead.” Use it when offering something, inviting someone to do something, or holding the door open for someone.
Fun fact: You can say “Douzo douzo” 2 times if somebody is hesitant to do something.
Bonus Phrase: “Ganbatte!” (ใใใฐใฃใฆ๏ผ): The Encouraging “Good Luck!”
“Ganbatte!” is a common phrase used to encourage someone who is taking on a challenge. It means “Good luck!” or “Do your best!” Use it when someone is about to take a test, give a presentation, or compete in an event.
Pro tip: You can also use “Ganbatte ne!” (ใใใฐใฃใฆใญ๏ผ) to express your support for someone’s efforts. It means “I believe in you!” or “You can do it!” It is a very nice phrase that you should know.
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