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!”