Vocabulary and phrases
Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
Vocabulary and phrases · Page 7
How to Say Enjoy in Japanese: Tanoshinde, Meshiagare, Yukkuri Shite
The verb for enjoy in Japanese is tanoshimu (楽しむ), and to wish someone a good time you say tanoshinde ne, have fun, or politely tanoshinde kudasai. For enjoy your meal, say dōzo meshiagare or simply dōzo; for enjoy your stay, yukkuri shite kudasai; and for a trip, tanoshinde kite ne or yoi tabi o.
9 min readOnii-chan and Onee-chan Meaning: Big Brother, Big Sister and More
Onii-chan (お兄ちゃん) means big brother and onee-chan (お姉ちゃん) means big sister, said with warmth, the way a younger sibling calls an older one. But Japanese has a whole set of sibling words, and which one you use depends on whose brother it is and who is listening.
11 min readKizuna Meaning: The Japanese Word for Bonds Between People
Kizuna (絆) means a bond: the deep connection between family members, friends, teammates or a community. It is an emotional, slightly solemn word, used more in speeches, songs and headlines than in casual chat.
9 min readKodawari Meaning: Commitment to Detail, or Just Being Fussy?
Kodawari (こだわり) means a personal commitment to getting something just right: the particular way a chef makes broth, the coffee you insist on, the detail a craftsperson will not compromise on. It can be high praise, or, in some contexts, a polite way of calling someone fussy.
9 min readMajime Meaning: Serious, Earnest and Hardworking in Japanese
Majime (真面目) means serious, earnest and conscientious: someone who takes things properly, works hard and follows through. It is usually a compliment, but between friends majime da ne can also be a gentle tease, a bit like saying you're such a good student.
8 min readYoyuu Meaning: Time, Money and Mental Room to Spare in Japanese
Yoyū (余裕) means room to spare: extra time, extra money, extra space, or the calm that comes from not being stretched. Yoyū ga aru means you have some margin; yoyū ga nai means you are stretched to the limit.
9 min readUzai Meaning: What うざい Means and Who You Can Say It To
Uzai (うざい) is casual slang for annoying, irritating or a pain. Said about rain, ads or your own hair it is just venting, but said seriously to a person's face it is one of the harshest everyday words in Japanese.
9 min readKimoi Meaning: What キモい Means and Why It Can Hurt
Kimoi (キモい) is casual slang for gross, creepy or disgusting. It is a shortened form of kimochi warui (気持ち悪い), which can also mean I feel sick. Said about bugs it is harmless, but said about a person it is deeply hurtful.
9 min readDasai Meaning: What ダサい Means in Japanese Slang
Dasai (ダサい) means uncool, tacky, dorky or lame. It describes clothes, designs and behaviour that are out of style or embarrassing, and among friends it is often playful, though it stings when meant seriously.
9 min readEmoi Meaning: What エモい Means on Japanese Social Media
Emoi (エモい) is slang for something that stirs a vague, bittersweet emotion: moving, nostalgic or atmospheric. It comes from the English word emotional and is used constantly on social media for photos, songs, sunsets and memories.
9 min readUkeru Meaning: ウケる as Slang and 受ける as a Verb
As slang, ukeru (ウケる) means that's hilarious or LOL. As a standard verb, ukeru (受ける) means to receive or take: take an exam, take a call, take a class. It also means to go down well, which is where the slang comes from.
9 min readIkemen Meaning: What イケメン Means and How to Use It
Ikemen (イケメン) means a handsome, good-looking man. It is casual, everyday Japanese, and it is also used as praise for cool, kind behaviour: a gesture can be ikemen even when it is not about looks.
9 min readPractical guides
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