Whenever I talk to people about the ten years I lived in Japan, the conversation usually touches on the fact that Japanese is a very difficult language to learn because it is so polite and formal. While this is true, everyday conversational Japanese isn’t as formal as most people perceive. In fact, it is Japanese slang, colloquialisms, and regional dialects that make learning the language a challenge.
During my ten years in Japan I lived in a number of cities and smaller towns. The hardest thing I found was deciphering the different local dialects and colloquialisms. This made learning Japanese interesting yet laborious. At times I found it almost impossible to understand the local country bumpkins in my neighbourhood. Unfortunately, this meant most of my wife’s family.
Why You Should Learn Japanese Slang
Like with most languages, you’ll only discover Japanese slang in Japan. While there are books and websites dedicated to the subject, you need to see Japanese slang in use in order to understand it. I don’t think I knew a word of Japanese slang before I left for Japan many years ago. Now, I find most of my Japanese conversations are littered with slang words. My wife is so funny! She’ll be speaking slang all day for months to me and my son, but whenever she she meets a Japanese person for the first time she is all polite and bowing like a chicken.
Learn Japanese Slang
You should learn Japanese slang. It will really do wonders for you conversational ability and impress Japanese. Most Japanese slang isn’t rude language, it is just very casual and expressive language. I must say I miss listening to the many hundred’s of colloquialisms and slang words Japanese say and invent. Also, learning Japanese slang will give you a better understanding of the Japanese mindset and how certain social situations require a certain different language.
Examples of Japanese Slang
Here are a few Japanese slang words you must know. Just be careful of when and who you say them to.
Baka = A fool / idiot / imbecile
Dasai = Nerdy, out of fashion
Darui = Sluggish
Busu = An ugly looking girl
Debu = A fatso
Kakkoii = Cool
Sugoi = Cool, fantastic, wow!
Pittari = A perfect fit
Maa maa = So so
Kusojiji = An old fart
Kusotare = A shithead
Ijiwaru = Cruel
Mechakucha = Huge / extremley
Shibui = Smart, fancy
Chikushou = Shit!
Hentai = Pervert
Sukebe = pervert
Japanese Slang Expressions
Damare! = Shut up!
Baka yarou! = You are really stupid!
Masaka! = No way! / That can’t be!
Yatta! = I did it!
Kusoooo! = Shit!
Chikushou! = Shit! / Damn it!
Shimatta! = Damn it!
Hayaku shine! = Drop dead, bastard!
Uso tsuki! = Liar!
Busu! = You’re so ugly!
Bikkuri shita! = WOW! (Total shock or surprise)
Hottoke! = Lay off! / Stop bugging me! / Bug off!
Baka! = You idiot!
Baka mitai! = You really look stupid!
Gaman dekinai yo! =I can’t stand it!
Nani sun da yo! = What the hell are you doing?
Tanoshimi yo! = Let’s Party!
Well, that should be enough to get you started. Learning and using Japanese slang is lots of fun. Enjoy!
When living in Japan I found myself in many situations where I would struggle to converse despite being a fairly confident speaker. Going to the post office was one such situation. I wouldn’t go to the post office more than once or twice every few months so having a parcel or letter sent was always a bit of a challenge. More often than not it wasn’t that I didn’t understand what was being said, it was an inability to decipher the polite language and respond quickly. In most customer service situations Japanese will use a lot of polite language and speak quickly.
My wife and I created a 2-part lesson explaining what language you’ll need to understand when going to the post office. With this Japanese lesson below you’ll be able to handle any post office situation.
Japanese Lesson -- Part 1
Want to learn more about Speak Japanese Fluently? Visit the website now http://speakjapanesefluently.com
If you would like to watch part 2 and access all 32 lessons then take action click the button below.
Studying a language takes time, commitment, consistency and money. It can be a very time consuming process with little reward unless you have clear goals and use what you learn. Unfortunately, most people learn a language blindfoleded – that is to say they don’t map out a clear plan or road map so they can achieve their goals. If you are thinking about taking some Japanese language lessons then you better take some time to think about what you want to achieve. The when you are clear on what your goals are you can decide what you type of Japanese language lessons you’ll invest in.
Why do you want to take Japanese Language Lessons?
One question you can ask yourself right now is.. Why do you want to learn Japanese Japanese? For example, maybe you are planning a holiday to Japan and just want to learn the basics. Or, maybe you want to become a translator or interpreter and live long term in Japan. Whatever your goals are you should make sure that the money you invest in Japanese language lessons set you on the right path to achieve your goals.
So, what are you goals
I want to learn the basics of Japanese because I intend to travel in Japan
If this is you then I recommend you get on Youtube and take a look at all the growing database of free Japanese lessons you can access. We are so fortunate to have the internet. You could pretty much learn the basics on Japanese at Youtube. I would encourage you to make so Japanese friends or try to find a Japanese meet-up group. It really is important to start practicing what you learn with native speakers. Group Japanese lessons are an option. You might find your local community offers lessons at very affordable prices. I do not recommend private Japanese language schools or colleges unless you happy to spend money on lessons you could find on the internet and in podcasts.
I want to read and write Japanese
This was the goal I had when I first went to Japan. I was in love with Japan and wanted learn everything. Ambition can be your worst enemy. I had no real purpose to wanting to learn read and write Japanese, I just wanted to. I think my ego got the better of me and I wanted to impress myself, my family and friends. I had to spend many hours and invest a lot of money to achieve this goal. Looking back I something think I should have my time focusing on spoken Japanese. So, if you want to learn to read and write Japanese be sure their is a why. You’ll be investing a lot of money in private lessons, text books, online Japanese language lessons and test fees, such as the JLPT.
To get started I recommend you take a look at our Youtube Japanese Lessons
Passing the JLPT is all about preparation – the right preparation. Whether you are months, weeks or even days away, the way you prepare for the test will determine how well you pass it, or how badly you fail it.
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Looking for some free Japanese lessons? Fortunately, we have access to the greatest classroom in the world – the internet. When I first started learning Japanese I spent lots of money on text books, cassette tape courses, group and private lesson. Unfortunately, most of them were not worth the money I spent. In order to learn Japanese I decided that I would have to live in Japan. At the time I was studying hospitality and won a traineeship to study cooking and hospitality in Japan for a year.
The traineeship was with a very large company that had several restaurant chains in Japan over 150 restaurants. It was tough going. I worked 12 days in several restaurants. And in typical Japanese fashion I had to start at the bottom of the ladder – washing dishes. Two times a week I took formal lessons from the CEO’s wife. Eventually, I worked my up and ended up working as a waiter. This was when my Japanese really took off. I think I had some of my best learning experiences on the job taking orders from customers. I had to totally rely on my Japanese knowledge and confidence. If you ever have a chance to work in Japan take it ( but not as an English teacher.)
Free Japanese Lessons on Youtube
If you want to learn Japanese you have come to the right webpage. My wife and I have created almost 100 online Japanese lessons at our Youtube account. Please sign up and become a subscriber.
You probably know how to count 1 to 10 in Japanese, right? But do you know how to use Japanese counters? In this free Japanese lesson you’ll one of the most common counters. Japanese use many different counters depending on what they are counting. Unlike English where we use plain numbers to count basically anything ( two of these, I have four brothers, I own six cars) Japanese have to learn hundreds of different counters to count object, animals and many other things and concepts.
Watch this video lessons to learn more.
