Japanese internet slang and youth slang change every day and go in and out of fashion, so they can be some of the most difficult expressions for foreigners to learn. Here, we'll use example sentences to help you learn how to use internet slang and youth slang that Japanese people often use!
1. "(lol)"
"笑" (laugh) is pronounced "wara." It is a symbol that literally represents the act of laughing. It began to be used as a way to easily convey feelings in writing, especially when text communication through email, social media, etc. became commonplace. "(laugh)" is not used in spoken language, but is mainly used when typing on a computer or smartphone. "(laugh)" is used at the end of a sentence when you find something funny, as a symbol to share your feelings in sentences where it's difficult to see the other person's facial expression. It is used in the same way as emojis. "(laugh)" may be used in the same way as "lol" or "haha" in English. It is mostly used with close friends and family, so be careful not to use "(laugh)" with someone you're meeting for the first time or someone of a higher rank, as it is rude.
Example sentences
This video is really funny lol
Kono dōga wa sugoku omoshiroi ne (wara)
This video is so funny! LOL
In addition to "(lol)", "(bakushou)" and "www" can also be used. "(bakushou)" expresses a more intense laugh than "(lol)" by adding the kanji "baku".
Example sentences
That's not true (LOL)
Are wa nai yo ne (bakusyou)
That's not gonna happen. LMAO!
"www" comes from the "w" at the beginning of "warau" (to laugh). The more "w"s there are, the stronger the laugh.
Example sentences
You were very drunk yesterday
Anata kinō totemo yotte ita yo www
You were very drunk yesterday! loool
Since "www" looks like short grass growing side by side on the ground, young people these days sometimes use the kanji "kusa" which means grass to express that something was interesting.
Example sentences
That's grass.
Sore wa kusa.
It is very funny.
2."(Crying)"
"(Naki)" is pronounced "naki" and is a symbol used in the same way as "(wara)". By adding "(Naki)" to the end of a sentence, you can express that you are so sad you want to cry. Young people these days sometimes use the onomatopoeia "pien" to express the appearance of crying and being sad. In English, it may have a similar meaning to "tears" or ":(".
Example sentences
How to express abbreviations in Japanese is difficult for me (cry)
Nihongo no ryakugo no hyōgen hōhō wa watashi ni totte muzukashī(naki)
How to express Japanese abbreviations is difficult for me. tears
Example sentences
I don't think I'll be able to study for the test in time (´;ω;｀)Pien
Tesuto no benkyō ga maniai-sō ni arimasen.(´;ω;｀)pien
I don't seem to be in time to study for the test.:(
*(´;ω;｀) is an emoticon that expresses crying.
Example sentences
Actually, I haven't finished the assignment that I have to submit tomorrow yet (crying)
Jitsu wa mada ashita teisyutu no kadai ga owatte naino(naki)
Actually, I haven't finished the assignment for submission tomorrow :(
3."Guguru"
"Guguru" means to search for something on Google (gūguru). This expression was born because in Japan people often use Google when searching for something on their smartphones. Some young people also use the phrase "Google Sensei (gūguru sensei)", which is a combination of "Google" and "sensei (sensei)", which means teacher. "Google Sensei (gūguru sensei)" is a term that was created by personifying Google as a "teacher who knows everything."
Example sentences
I don't know this so Google it!
Kore wakaranai kara gugutte oite!
I don't know this, so google it!
Example sentences
Let's rely on Professor Google!
Gūguru sensei ni tayorou!
Let's rely on Google Teacher!
4."Seriously (majide)"
"Majide" means "really." "Majide" is often used as a reaction to express surprise at what the other person has said, so it may be useful to remember.
Example sentences
It's seriously fun!
Majide omoshiroi!
Really funny!
Example sentences
Seriously?
Majide?
Seriously?
Example sentences
A: Actually, I got accepted into my first choice university!
B: Seriously?! That's great!
A: Jitsuwa daiichishibō no daigaku ni gōkaku shita nda!
B: Majide!? Yokattajan!
A: By the way, I passed the university of my first choice!
B: Did you? That's great!
5."China"
"China" is an abbreviation of "chinamini", which means "by the way". "China" is an expression used between close friends. In places where you need to be careful about your language, such as the workplace, you should use the full "chinamini".
Example sentences
I got 96 points in math on the regular test! By the way, I got 12 points in science.
Teiki tesuto no sūgaku 96-tendatta! China, rika wa 12-ten.
I got a 96 in math on my regular test! BTW, I scored 12 in science.
Example sentences
By the way, I bought this pencil case in Harajuku.
China, kono fudebako wa Harajuku de katta no.
BTW, I bought this pencil case in Harajuku.
6."torima"
"Torima" is an abbreviation of "toriaezu, mā," which means "for the time being." When used at the beginning of a sentence, it means "for the time being." This expression should also be used between close friends.
Example sentences
Anyway, I've made a reservation!
Torima, yoyaku shite oita yo!
So, I made a reservation!
Example sentences
Anyway, I'll finish my assignment!
Torima, kadai owarasete oku wa!
Anyway, I'll finish my task!
7."Paripi"
"Paripi" is a word derived from the English "party people." In English, "party people" means "people who like to party," but in Japan, "paripi" refers to young people who are having fun and making noise. It can also be used in a negative sense, such as "people who make noise and cause trouble for those around them."
Example sentences (negative meaning)
Is he a party animal?
Aitsu, paripi ka yo
That party animal is annoying.
Example sentences (positive meaning)
Let's be a party animal once in a while!
Tamani wa paripi ni natchaō ka! !
Let's get crazy like party people for a change!!
8."OK"
"Ok(oke)" is a word derived from the English "OK" and means "I get it." It is said to have become widely used because typing "Ok(oke)" is easier than switching between Japanese and English and typing "OK" on a keyboard, and it sounds the same as "OK," so the other person can understand it.
Example sentences
OK OK
Oke, oke
OK, OK
Example sentences
A: Could you do this for me?
B: Okay, okay.
A:kore yatteoite kurenai?
B:oke,oke
A: Can you do this?
B: OK, OK
There are a lot of internet slang and youth slang in Japanese. By the way, slang words like "sorena" and "riajū" are also commonly used, but do you know what they mean? If you are even slightly interested in Japanese, You can experience Japanese language lessons taught by experienced teachers for free. Human Academy Japanese Language Learning Plus Register for free Would you like to try it?