Textbooks teach you polite Japanese, but what are young Japanese people ACTUALLY saying? From やばい (yabai) to マジ (maji), modern Japanese slang is everywhere – in anime, on social media, and in casual conversations.

This guide teaches you 40 essential slang words and casual phrases that will help you understand real Japanese and sound way more natural!

Essential Slang Everyone Uses

1. やばい (Yabai) ⭐

Meaning: Amazing / Terrible / Dangerous / Crazy

The most versatile slang word in Japanese! Originally meant "dangerous," but now means anything intense – good OR bad.

Context	Meaning	Example
Positive	Amazing!	このケーキやばい！(This cake is amazing!)
Negative	Oh no!	やばい、遅刻する！(Oh no, I'm gonna be late!)
Surprised	Whoa!	え、マジ? やばっ! (Wait, really? Whoa!)

Variations:

• やばっ (yaba') – shortened
• やっばー (yabbaa) – extended for emphasis
• やばすぎ (yabasugi) – too much/extreme

2. マジ (Maji) ⭐

Meaning: Seriously / Really / For real

Usage: Like "seriously" or "for real" in English.

Phrase	Meaning
マジで？	Seriously? / For real?
マジやばい	Seriously crazy
マジ卍	Super serious (internet slang)

Example:

A: 明日テストだよ (There's a test tomorrow) B: マジで!? (For real!?)

3. ウケる (Ukeru)

Meaning: That's hilarious! / LOL

When something is funny, say ウケる！It's like "LOL" or "I'm dying" in English.

Variations:

• 超ウケる (chou ukeru) – super funny
• ウケるんだけど (ukeru n da kedo) – that's so funny though

4. めっちゃ / めちゃ (Meccha/Mecha)

Meaning: Super / Very / Extremely

The casual equivalent of とても (totemo).

Polite	Casual
とても美味しい	めっちゃ美味しい
(Very delicious)	(Super delicious)

Regional note: Originally from Kansai (Osaka), now used nationwide!

5. 超 (Chou)

Meaning: Super / Ultra

Another intensifier, often combined with adjectives.

Examples:

• 超かわいい (chou kawaii) – super cute
• 超楽しい (chou tanoshii) – super fun
• 超眠い (chou nemui) – super sleepy

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Reactions & Responses

6. すごい (Sugoi)

Meaning: Amazing / Awesome / Wow

You probably know this one, but it deserves mention – it's EVERYWHERE!

Casual shortening: すげー (sugee) – masculine, very casual

7. いいね (Ii ne)

Meaning: Nice! / Sounds good! / I like it!

The verbal equivalent of a social media "like" button.

Usage:

A: 週末カラオケ行かない？(Wanna go to karaoke this weekend?) B: いいね！(Sounds good!)

8. 微妙 (Bimyou)

Meaning: Hmm... / Not great / Questionable

When something is meh, awkward, or you're not sure how to feel.

Example:

A: この服どう？(How's this outfit?) B: うーん、微妙... (Hmm, it's kinda...)

9. ダサい (Dasai)

Meaning: Lame / Uncool / Tacky

The opposite of stylish. Not what you want to hear about your outfit!

Example: その髪型ダサくない？(Isn't that hairstyle kinda lame?)

10. エモい (Emoi)

Meaning: Emotional / Moving / Nostalgic vibes

From English "emotional." Used for anything that gives you feelings.

Example: この曲エモい... (This song hits different...)

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Agreement & Disagreement

11. だよね (Da yo ne)

Meaning: Right? / I know, right?

Casual agreement. Shows you're on the same page.

Example:

A: 今日暑いね (It's hot today) B: だよね～ (I know, right~)

12. ね (Ne)

Meaning: Right? / You know?

Added to the end of sentences seeking agreement (like Canadian "eh").

13. でしょ？ (Desho?)

Meaning: Right? / Told you so! / Isn't it?

Tone	Meaning
Question ⬆️	Right? Don't you agree?
Statement ⬇️	See? Told you so!

14. 確かに (Tashika ni)

Meaning: True / Good point / Indeed

When someone makes a valid point.

Example:

A: でも、高すぎない？(But isn't it too expensive?) B: 確かに (True...)

15. 知らんけど (Shiran kedo)

Meaning: But I don't know / But whatever

Internet slang. Added after stating an opinion to sound less committed.

Example: たぶん大丈夫、知らんけど (Probably fine, but what do I know)

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Positive Expressions

16. 最高 (Saikou)

Meaning: The best! / Awesome!

When something is peak perfection.

Example: この旅行最高だった！(This trip was the best!)

17. 神 (Kami)

Meaning: God-tier / Legendary

When something or someone is on another level.

Examples:

• 神曲 (kamikyoku) – god-tier song
• 神対応 (kamitaiou) – perfect handling/response
• 神ゲー (kamigee) – amazing game

18. かわいい (Kawaii)

Meaning: Cute / Adorable

You know this one! Probably Japan's most famous export.

Variations:

• かわいすぎ (kawaisugi) – too cute
• 鬼かわいい (oni kawaii) – crazy cute

19. イケてる (Iketeru)

Meaning: Cool / Stylish / On point

Example: そのコーデ、イケてるね！(That outfit is on point!)

20. テンション高い (Tenshon takai)

Meaning: Hyped / Energetic / Excited

When someone is full of energy. (Different from English "tension"!)

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Texting & Internet Slang

21. w / 草 (Kusa)

Meaning: LOL

w looks like grass (草), and many w's look like a field. Both mean laughing.

Symbol	Meaning
w	lol
www	hahaha
草	lol (literally "grass")
大草原	ROFL (literally "big meadow")

22. おけ/おk (Oke)

Meaning: OK / Sure

Shortened from オッケー.

23. りょ (Ryo)

Meaning: Got it / Roger

Ultra-shortened from 了解 (ryoukai – understood).

24. わかりみ (Wakarimi)

Meaning: I totally get it / Relatable

Slang form of わかる. Very popular online.

Example: それわかりみ深い (I deeply relate to that)

25. それな (Sore na)

Meaning: That! / Exactly! / This!

Strong agreement. Like "THIS" in Twitter replies.

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Describing People

26. 陽キャ / 陰キャ (Youkya / Inkya)

Meaning: Extrovert / Introvert

Term	Kanji	Meaning
陽キャ	陽(sun) + キャラ	Outgoing person
陰キャ	陰(shadow) + キャラ	Introverted person

27. オタク (Otaku)

Meaning: Nerd / Geek / Super fan

Originally negative, now more neutral or even cool.

Types:

• アニメオタク – anime fan
• ゲームオタク – gamer
• 鉄オタ (tetsu-ota) – train enthusiast

28. イケメン (Ikemen)

Meaning: Hot guy / Handsome man

Example: あの人超イケメン！(That guy is SO hot!)

29. ビッチ (Bicchi)

Warning: Different from English! Means someone who's provocatively dressed or flirty, not necessarily an insult. Still, be careful using it!

30. KY (ケーワイ)

Meaning: Can't read the room

From 空気読めない (kuuki yomenai). Someone socially oblivious.

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Casual Sentence Endings

31. ～じゃん (Jan)

Meaning: Isn't it? / Right?

Casual assertion or seeking agreement.

Example: いいじゃん！(That's good, right!)

32. ～っしょ (Ssho)

Meaning: Right? / Obviously

Example: 行くっしょ？(We're going, right?)

33. ～んだけど (N da kedo)

Meaning: ...but / It's like...

Trailing off, implying more.

Example: 今ちょっと忙しいんだけど... (I'm kinda busy right now, so...)

34. ～かも (Kamo)

Meaning: Maybe / Might be

Example: 明日雨かも (Might rain tomorrow)

35. ～てか (Teka)

Meaning: Or rather / By the way / Wait

Changes the topic or adds a thought.

Example: てか、さっきの話何だった？(Wait, what were we talking about before?)

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Casual Helpers

36. なんか (Nanka)

Meaning: Like / Kinda / Something

Japanese filler word, like "like" in English!

Example: なんか今日疲れた (I'm like kinda tired today)

37. 的な (Teki na)

Meaning: Like / -ish / Something like that

Example: 明日的な？(Tomorrow-ish?)

38. ぶっちゃけ (Bucchake)

Meaning: Honestly / To be real

Example: ぶっちゃけ、よくわからない (Honestly, I don't really get it)

39. 別に (Betsu ni)

Meaning: Not really / Whatever / It's nothing

The classic "whatever" response!

A: 怒ってる？(Are you mad?) B: 別に... (Not really... / Whatever...)

40. とりあえず (Toriaezu)

Meaning: For now / First of all / Let's just...

Example: とりあえずビール！(Beer for now!) – The most famous usage!

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Slang Safety Guide

✅ Safe to Use With:

• Close friends your age
• Casual online conversations
• When others use it first

❌ Never Use With:

• Teachers or bosses
• Strangers
• Formal situations
• Elderly people
• Business settings

Golden Rule:

When in doubt, use polite forms! You can always get more casual, but starting too casual can offend.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Japanese people be impressed if I use slang?

They might laugh or be surprised! Using slang correctly shows you understand casual Japanese, but using it wrong or in the wrong situation can be awkward.

Where can I hear real slang usage?

• YouTube vlogs
• Japanese variety shows
• Casual anime (slice-of-life)
• J-drama with young characters
• Twitter/TikTok

Is anime slang accurate?

Partially. Anime exaggerates for entertainment. Slice-of-life anime is more realistic than action or fantasy.

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Conclusion: Keep It Casual!

Now you know 40 slang terms that'll help you understand real Japanese conversations! Remember:

Key takeaways: ✅ やばい and マジ are the most versatile ✅ めっちゃ and 超 are casual intensifiers ✅ Always match formality to the situation ✅ Learn polite forms first – slang comes naturally with exposure

Your next step: You need to READ these words before you can use them! Master hiragana and katakana with KanaDojo →

まじで楽しいよ！(It's seriously fun!)

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• 50 Essential Japanese Words
• Learn Japanese from Anime
• Japanese Greetings Guide