|
|
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?”
Today’s theme is… again INSULTS! For today, the focus will be on insulting words or phrases that are a little more “sophisticated.” Some of them are less insulting than merely very harsh or critical. Thus, they are somewhat more rare than the first list of insults. Nevertheless, you will definitely come across all these words sooner or later if you watch enough anime.
I actually wrote most of this yesterday. There were just too many harsh and demeaning words floating around in my head – the evidence of years of avid anime-watching….
1. MEZAWARI = eyesore
Example: When someone or something is viewed as being an obtrusion or bringing unpleasant thoughts/feelings/etc. The person who says this usually has the intention of “getting rid” of the unpleasant obtrusion.
2. SHITSUKOI = annoyingly persistant
Example: “shitsukoi na yatsu da na” = “You really don’t give up, do you?” (in an ironic, irritated tone)
3. KUDARANAI = ridiculous, worthless
Example: Often said about plans, ideas or stories: “not even worth listening to!”
4. JAMA MONO = person/thing who gets in the way, a hindrance
Example: “jama mono wa zenbu kowasu!” = “I’ll destroy everything that gets in my way!”
5. HIKYOU MONO = coward, treacherous person
Example: Often said of someone who uses “cowardly tricks” or deception to win a fight, rather than fighting fair and square.
6. KIMOCHI WARUI = creepy, disgusting (lit. bad feeling)
Example: Said about anything from scary bugs, to creepy perverts, to weird or dirty places. Can even be said about phrases/people that are too strongly affectionate, making one feel unsettled or embarrassed.
7. YAKAMASHII = noisy, “shut up!”
Example: A strict sort of character has had enough of fooling around. The same meaning as “urusai,” just more strong-sounding.
8. YOWAI/YOWEE = weak
Example: “omae hontou ni yowee na” = “You really are weak!”
9. KEGARAWASHII= filthy, unclean
Example: In Japanese contempt is often shown by calling someone “filthy.” This is often said to someone who is supposedly of a lower class, has impure blood, or is “stained,” “untouchable,” etc.
10. USUGITANAI = dirty
Example: Often said of someone who is tricky and underhanded (figuratively dirty). Also literally dirty, as in unclean.
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”
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.
I was originally going to make a sticky page titled “10 Most Useful Anime Words” but I kind of realized there are just way too many useful anime words to easily pick 10 out of nowhere. I’ll probably still make a page like that eventually, but for now I thought, maybe I’ll just make regular posts with 10 non-ordered useful anime words, just thought up at random.
If you’ve already spent a lot of time watching anime in Japanese, you’ll probably recognize some of these words already. Either way, you’re bound to learn something useful and interesting if you stick around.
Note I’m going to avoid words like pronouns, particles and words that I feel are already prevalently known by most people (eg, kawaii, ichiban, k0nnichiwa).
Some of the words on this first list are adverbs, others describe (while not quite being adjectives). Many of the words on this list are used frequently on their own.
1. YAPPARI (also yahari) = as expected (“I knew it!”)
Example: When a character who was once good is revealed to be a traitor, other characters may say, “yappari…” = “I knew it…”
2. MOCHIRON = of course
Example: A character asks another for affirmation: “We’re still friends, right?” “You’ll protect me, won’t you?” The answer might be: “mochiron sa!” (sa just makes it sound more confident)
3. CHOTTO = a while, a bit (also, “Wait!”)
Example: “chotto matte kudasai” = “wait a second please!”
4. SAIKOU = the best
Example: A character who is overconfident might say this about themselves. “ore-sama saikou!” = “I’m the best!”
5. SAITEI = the worst
Example: When a character is really annoyed with someone else, they might say, “anta saitei!” = “You’re the worst!”
6. ZUTTO = all the time (even forever)
Example: “zutto issho ni” = “Together forever”
7. TAIHEN = terrible (“Oh no!”)
Example: The situation turns bad. Monsters attack. People start running or preparing to fight. Someone shouts, “taihen!” = “Something terrible is coming!”
8. MURI = impossible
Example: Often characters tell someone who’s sick or wounded, “muri shinaide!” = “Don’t push yourself!”
9. MADA = still or not yet
Example: A taunt during battle: “mada mada da na” = “Still not good enough, eh?”/”Still needs work!”
10. MOTTO = more
Example: Something else that could be said during battle: “motto hayai!” = “Faster!” “Quicker!”
兄貴の知り合い?
あにきのしりあい?
aniki no shiriai?
Listen to Ritsuka from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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!)
まさか
masaka
“No way!”
Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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.”
かわいいね
kawaii ne
“You’re cute, aren’t you?”
Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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)
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.
Listen to Ritsuka from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
ore = I (masculine)
baka = stupid
mono = people
daikirai = hate
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.
Listen to Yuiko from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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).
Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
suki = like
da = “to be”
yo = emphatic particle
|
|
