10 Useful Japanese Words in Anime (VII) - FIGHTING

Today’s theme is… FIGHTING related words!

Fights, battles and conflicts in general are  a very central part of most anime, manga and video games. I’m sure you’ll be able to hear at least one of these words in just about every episode you watch, especially if it’s some kind of shounen genre or action, fantasy, sci-fi, etc.

Sorry I haven’t written in a while, by the way. Just too many life-related things bothering me at the moment. And laziness. Laziness is always a big problem for me. But right now, I’m back in business! I think you should be able to expect more posts from me in the coming days, too.

1. TATAKAI/TATAKAU = a fight or battle (noun)/to fight (verb)

Example: “shin no tatakai wa… kore kara da!” = “The real battle… begins now!” Yeah, it’s from Super Smash Bros. Melee; Roy (one of my favourite characters ^^!) says it if you win a fight.

2. KENKA = fight, quarrel

Example: “saikin kanojo to kenka bakkari” = “Lately I’ve been fighting a lot with my girlfriend.”

3. SHOUBU = fighting match

shoubu is the kind of fight you have to determine who is the winner, who is the better.

4. KACHI/KATSU = victory (noun)/to win (verb)

Example: “konkai wa boku no kachi da ne!” = “It’s my victory this time, isn’t it?” Another victory quote from SSBM. This one’s from Marth.

5. MAKE/MAKERU = defeat (noun)/to lose (verb)

Example: “makeru wake ni wa ikanai nda!” = “I mustn’t lose!”

“makerarenai!” = “I can’t lose!” (both mean approximately the same thing)

6. KOROSU = to kill

Example: “omae wa korosu” = “I will kill you.” I believe Heero from Gundam Wing says this quite frequently, lol.

Variation: “bukkorosu” = “to beat to death”, to “seriously” kill someone

7. YARU = to kill, to do someone in (in some contexts only; normally this just means “to do”)

Example: “yachimae!” = “Kill them!”

8. KOUGEKI = an attack, an offensive

kougeki is often used to indicate a “move” in fight scenes and games. “tokubetsu kougeki” = “special move”

9. NIGERU= to escape/to run away

Example: “hayaku nigeru nda!” =”You’ve got to get away, quickly!”

10. DAIJOUBU = all right, safe

Example: “daijoubu desu ka!” = “Are you all right?”

10 Useful Japanese Words in Anime (V) - INSULTS (slang)

I’m actually totally addicted to playing Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon for DS right now, so… looks like it’ll be another quick-post today!

Today’s theme is… INSULTS (slangy ones)! Or other bad, rude, or otherwise harmful and offensive words you might commonly hear in anime! This post is a little silly and is meant to be taken in a light-hearted fashion. Please don’t try to use these words.

1. BAKA = stupid

Example: “baka domo me!” = “You damn idiots!” (domo gives you plural, me can be attached to almost any word that refers to a person/people to show contempt for them)

Variations: baka yarou (stupid guy), bakageta (foolish), baka mono (stupid person/people)

2. KUSO = shit

Example: Can be used as an exclaimation, a noun, or an adjective. “kuso gaki” = “damn kid!”

Vairations: kusotare (something like, “piece of shit”)

3. HETA = incompetent

Example: Hetalia, the popular and sort of controversial short anime series, is “heta” and “Italia” (Italy) combined, because the character Italy is hilariously stupid and incompetent.

Variations: hetakuso (useless, incompetent person)

4. AHOU = dumbass, idiot

Example: “omae ahou ka!” = “You a dumbass or what!”

5. BOKE = foolish, airheaded person

Example: When someone’s fooling around or acting stupidly in a way that they don’t usually, their friends might call them “boke!” Not a very harsh word.

6. BUSU = ugly woman

Example: When someone wants to really offend a girl, calling them stupid, uncool, useless, etc, just isn’t enough. “busu” is probably one of the worst things to say to a girl.

7. DASAI/DASEE = uncool

Example: When a guy screws up something or does something in a non-cool or non-manly fashion, other guys say/think, “dasee na.”

8. UZAI/UZEE = annoying, fussy, depressing

Example: “maji uzai nda mon!” = “Man, it’s just such a drag!”

9. BUTA = pig

Example: “kono buta!” = “You pig!” Basically the same usage as in English – for fat, ugly, gross, perverted, etc, people.

10. GERO = vomit

Example: “gero ga deru hodo” = “so much it makes me wanna puke”/”until I vomit”

10 Useful Japanese Words in Anime (III) - VERB EXPRESSIONS

Yep, making these is strangely addictive. Hope they’re not too boring ^^; I’ll be getting back to more regular sound clipping sooner or later.

Today’s theme is… VERBS! To be more precise, verb expressions (those commonly found in anime). Because they’re commonly found in anime, most of these phrases are used very casually only. Use in “real life” at your own risk.

1. YATTA! = I/we did it!

Example: Shouted out loud when a character wins a game, race, defeats an enemy, etc.

2. SHIMATTA! = damn it!

Example: Often said out loud in the heat of the moment when someone makes a serious mistake or lets something bad happen to them unexpectedly. Not for when someone stubs their toe or loses a game/fight/etc.

3. HOTTOITE/HOTTOKE! = leave me alone/get lost!

Example: The first expression is a slightly softer or more pleading tone than the latter. First might be used when someone has suffered a loss or is in a bad mood (“please leave me alone”); second would be when someone just doesn’t want to be bugged, period (“get lost!”)

4. KOI! = come!

Example: “kochi e koi!” = “get over here!” Used towards an enemy or otherwise inferiorly-treated person.

5. DAMATTE/DAMARE! = be quiet/shut up!

Example: When another character really should not be saying whatever they’re saying.

6. ~ SHIRO/SHINASAI! = do ~! (loosely)

Example: “ii kagen ni shiro!” = “cut it out!” (lit. “do it moderately”)

Another example: “kakugo shiro yo” = “prepare yourself!”

7. MATTE! = wait!

Example: “chotto matte!” = “wait a second!”

8. SHINE/SHINJIMAE! = die!

Example: When going for the killing blow.

9. OKOTTERU = to be upset (at someone/something)

Example: “mada okotteru?” = “are you still mad?”

10. CHIGAU! = no! You’re wrong!

Example: Often shouted out loud when someone is accused of something they didn’t do or said to be something they aren’t.

10 Useful Japanese Words in Anime (III)

I’m finding making these list type posts kinda fun and easy to make when I’m short on time. (Cutting clips from anime is actually more time/labour-intensive than one would think! ^^;) It’s also kind of a challenge for me to think of 10 words relating to a theme.

Today’s theme is… TIME related words!

1. ITSUMO/ITSUDEMO = always

Example: “itsudemo anata no soba ni iru yo” = “I’ll always be by your side” (classic cheesy romantic phrase)

2. JIKAN = time (more related to the hour)

Example: “mou sono jikan ka?” = “It’s already ‘that’ time already, eh?”

3. TOKI = time (more related to occasions)

Example: “sono toki wa sono toki de” = “I’ll deal with it when the time comes!”

4. HI = day

Example: “ano hi mita sora” = “the sky we saw that day” (actually the opening line of one of my favourite anime endings, “Uso” by SID for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ^^)

5. YORU = night

Example: “yoru ni shinobikomu” = to sneak in the night

6. IMA = now

Example: “ima wa tada koko ni itai” = “right now I just want to be here”

7. SOROSORO = soon

Example: “sorosoro jikan desu” = “It’s just about time now” (a very common phrase)

8. KAKO = past

Example: “kako ni mayou” = to lose one’s way/wander in the past (something I’ve probably picked up from one too many anime openings)

9. MIRAI = future

Example: “mirai ni mukau” = to look to/face the future

10. ATO = after (can also have meaning of “more”)

Example: “ato juppun nemurasete” = “let me sleep ten minutes more”

I’ll throw in a bonus word just for fun:

11. YATTO = at last

Example: “yatto mitsuketa!” = “I’ve finally found it!”

10 Useful Japanese Words in Anime (II)

Today’s theme is… i adjectives!

There are two types of adjectives in Japanese. i and na. What’s the difference between i and na adjectives? Well, i adjectives all end in i and are used in basically the same way as adjectives in English: that is, if used to describe a noun, they don’t require anything else to precede the noun being described. You just put the adjective and the noun together one after the other.

na adjectives on the other hand require na to be inserted between the adjective and the noun being described. For example, ookii na inu means “big dog.”

Also, i adjectives can be inflected to become adverbs (example: sugoi = sugoku) and also have a past tense (example: warui = warukatta). na adjectives don’t have inflections.

1. SUGOI = great, awesome

Example: Sometimes used adjectivally: “sugoku ureshii” = “extremely glad”

2. II (also YOI) = good, fine

Example: “ii ko” = “good boy/girl”

3. WARUI= bad

Example: Common phrase used in anime with fight scenes: “waruku omou na yo” = “Don’t think badly of me”/”It’s nothing personal”

4. HAYAI = fast/early

Example: Also used in anime during fight scenes: “hayai!” = “He’s fast!” or “hayasugiru!” = “Too fast!”

5. OSOI = slow

Example: “osoku natta” = “I became late” = “I’m late”

6. CHIKAI = near

Example: “chikai tokoro” = “a place close by”

7. TOOI = far

Example: “tooi omoide” = “faraway memories”

8. KAKKOII = cool, good-looking

Example: You can also say “kakkowarui” which means just the opposite.

9. AOI = blue (technically, blue, green, or just a pale shade in general)

Example: “aoi sora” = “blue sky”

10. AKAI = red

Example: “akai hitomi” = “red eyes”

“aniki no shiriai?”/”You knew my brother?”

兄貴の知り合い?
あにきのしりあい?
aniki no shiriai?

Ritsuka Aoyagi

Listen to Ritsuka from Loveless say this phrase!

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aniki = brother

no = possessive particle

shiriai = acquaintance


aniki 兄貴

Kanji literally indicate “esteemed older brother.”

Other ways of saying “Older brother”:

onii-san= the supposed standard form

nii-chan = very informally

onii-sama = very respectful variant

aniue = another formal/respectful variant (more old-fashioned or historical)

Traditionally, using aniki is associated with gangsters and other tough sorts who live outside the law. As with other family terms, can indicate someone not actually blood-related. Although you can use aniki without being a gangster, especially in anime, it does still sound rough and somewhat unusual.

Ritsuka is a little unusual anyhow, since he most frequently refers to his brother by name as Seimei, which is basically a Japanese faux-pas. I mean, hardly anyone does this. I’m actually not sure why he does this. Is it because Seimei is dead? (No idea, really!)

“masaka”/”No way!”

まさか
masaka

“No way!”

Soubi Agatsuma

Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!

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masaka = impossible/”of course not”



masaka 真逆

Kanji literally indicate “opposite of truth.” I have never actually seen the kanji used, however. (the way masaka is used these days is very colloquial)

Related words:

sonna…! = (literally, “that kind of thing!”) “It can’t be!”

baka na = ridiculous/impossible

tondemonai = outrageous

arienai = (literally, “cannot exist”) impossible

moshikashite = perhaps (“It could be that…”)

Sometimes masaka is used in the sense of “It seems impossible… but I’m forced to believe it’s true!” Just like when you see someone do something incredible and you say, “No way, I can’t believe it!”

Or you found out some shocking secret and blurt out, “It can’t be…” (also masaka…)

You can even use it like, “You’re kidding!” “You don’t say!”

In this case, Soubi uses the word in the most plain sense: “That’s not true.”

“kawaii ne”/”You’re cute, aren’t you?”

かわいいね
kawaii ne
“You’re cute, aren’t you?”
Soubi Agatsuma


Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!

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kawaii = cute

ne = “asking for agreement” particle



kawaii 可愛い

Kanji literally indicate “capable of (arousing) affection,” or “loveable.”

Examples of how to use kawaii:

kawaii neko = cute cat

kawaii kaban ga hoshii = I want a cute bag.

kawaiku nai yo = That’s not cute!

kawaii is possibly the most famous “otaku speak” word there is. Well, even if you already knew what this word means, at least now you know how it should properly sound and how to write it in hiragana and kanji!

By the way… who is Soubi referring to here? 12-year old Ritsuka, of course! (he is a pedophile, get over it)

“ore baka mono daikirai”/”I hate stupid people”

オレ馬鹿(ばか)もの大嫌(だいきら)い

ore baka mono daikirai

I thought this was a little funny, so here you go! It’s quite straightforward. I’ll explain a few things:

1. All the particles are missing in this sentence. It is not a “model Japanese” sentence, but it does reflect the way many anime characters speak (and some real people, too!) Ritsuka often tends to talk like this, omitting “unnecessary” words whenever he can. It lends him an air of not really caring, of being tight-lipped, of being childish, and somewhat delinquent. The proper sentence should be “ore wa baka mono ga daikirai.”

2. baka is an adjective (also a noun). It means stupid. It also happens to be a “na-” adjective, which means that if used to describe a noun, you must put a “na” between the adj and the noun. For example, “baka na hito.” (“Stupid person”) In this case, however, “baka mono” is actually more like one word (it’s a set phrase) so the “usual rule” doesn’t apply.

3. kirai means dislike. daikirai means really dislike, “hate.” kirai/daikirai are the opposite of suki/daisuki and are used in pretty much exactly the same manner.

Ritsuka Aoyagi

Listen to Ritsuka from Loveless say this phrase!

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ore = I (masculine)

baka = stupid

mono = people

daikirai = hate

“kakkoii kara”/”‘Cause you’re cool!”

かっこいいから

kakkoii kara

Just as you might call a girl cute (kawaii) or pretty (kirei), if you want to call a guy cool or good-looking, you say “kakkoii.” It’s not really the same as “cool” in English, really, but it has that same sort of slangy/school kid kind of feeling to it. Also, I don’t think it’s used to describe girls much at all.

kakkoii is actually composed of two words, “kakkou” (form/appearance) and “ii” (good).

“kara” is pretty simple. Just means “because…” “since…” and it goes at the end of a sentence.

ListenYuiko Hawatari to Yuiko from Loveless say this phrase!

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kakkoii = cool

kara = because

好(す)きだよ

suki da yo

If you ever watch Loveless (or any other romance for that matter), you’ll probably hear this phrase quite overused. Yes, it means “I love you.” Yes, it also means “I like you.” And it’s not just used for people, it can be used to show liking for anything: food, activities, objects. In reality – in most cases anyway – I think the only time this would be used between people is during a confession of love. This is not something you should ever expect to be saying or hearing constantly (despite what Soubi might lead you to think!).

Let me try to explain this in more detail. Generally, “suki” just means to like something, whereas “daisuki” (大好き) means a particularly strong liking, or “love.” However… in practice, people rarely say “daisuki” to other people; to say “daisuki” to someone sounds childish and maybe even superficial. It’s kind of like comparing saying “I reaaally like you” (childish giggle) to “I like you” (confessional).

Soubi Agatsuma

Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!

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suki = like

da = “to be”

yo = emphatic particle