32 phrases
“Exactly / true that.” Quick agreement with someone’s take
“今週は仕事多すぎてヤバいよね。—それな。”
Work’s insane this week, right? —For real.
Baby-talk spin on “かわいい,” used to gush over something extra adorable
“そのミニポーチ、色味がマジかわちぃ。”
That tiny pouch—its color is too cute!
Gen Z “wait a sec / hold up,” popularized by YouTuber コムドット
“ちょえ！まだ準備できてないって。”
Hold up—I’m not ready yet!
Onomatopoeic “boo-hoo”; cute cryface for mild sadness or disappointment
“推し出演シーンカットされててぴえん。”
My fave’s scene got cut—boo-hoo.
Past-tense “laughed”; internet “LMAO.”
“このミーム最高、マジでワロタ。”
This meme is the best—I’m dying.
Bracketed “(笑)” or trailing “w” = LOL; shows laughter online
“そのオチ読んで声出して笑。”
I read that punchline and literally laughed out loud lol.
Kansai-born adverb meaning “very / really / hella,” now nationwide
“このラーメンめっちゃうまい！”
This ramen is really good!
Prefix for “super / ultra / insanely.” Colloquial intensifier before adjectives or nouns
“超かわいい犬見つけたから写真送るね。”
I found an insanely cute dog—sending you a pic!
Hardcore, legit, “no joke.” Often stronger than マジ
“彼のピアノはガチでプロ並み。”
His piano skills are honestly pro-level.
“Seriously / for real.” Adds emphasis or disbelief
“え、マジで明日休講？”
Wait, class is really canceled tomorrow?
Stingy, cheap; someone who won’t spend a cent
“彼ケチすぎてデートで水しか注文しない。”
He’s so stingy he only orders water on dates.
Last-minute cancellation of plans (名詞 or verb する)
“ドタキャンされたから一人で映画観た。”
Got ditched last minute, so I watched the movie alone.
Net slang meaning “love it / so good,” riffing on the Chinese word for “good” (好)
“新作スニーカー好ハオ！即ポチった。”
These new sneakers are fire—I copped them instantly.
Borrowed “vibes.” Refers to someone’s energy, atmosphere, or hype level.
“このカフェ、バイブス良すぎて勉強はかどる。”
The vibes in this café are so good I can really study here.
Originally “subtle,” now slang for “meh / kinda off / hard to rate.”
“その映画、ストーリーはビミョーだったな。”
The movie’s story was kinda meh.
“Not half-baked” → unbelievable, extreme, next-level (good or bad)
“今日の暑さ半端ないって！”
The heat today is unreal!
From English “don’t mind.” Means “never mind / no worries,” used to comfort someone after a mistake
“試合で負けてもどんまい！次があるさ。”
Even if we lost the match, no worries—there’s always next time!
Literally “outside-person”; casual label for foreigners in Japan. Common in speech but can feel rude...
“外人ばかりのバーに入ったらちょっと緊張した。”
I got a bit nervous walking into a bar full of foreigners.
Two things (or people) treated as a single inseparable set—“buy one, get the other.”
“あの双子、学校でも私生活でもニコイチだよね。”
Those twins are a package deal—always together at school and off-hours.
Short for 頭おかしい—“you’re crazy” (often half-joking).
“朝4時発の始発で聖地巡礼？あたおか過ぎ。”
Catching a 4 a.m. train for a pilgrimage spot? You’re nuts!
