Japanese Slang

Here are some common trendy phrases for young people to use:

GUYS

Sugee! (soo-gehh) – Wow! / Cool!

Kankei nee (kan-kay neh) – Nothing to do with you / Mind your own business

Umai (oo-my) – Delicious

GIRLS

Cho~ kawaii! (choh ka-wa-ee) – Soooo cute!

Mou yada (moh ya-daa) – Oh no…

UNISEX

Doumo (doh-mo) – Hello (less formal than “Konnichiwa)

Maji de? (mah-jee deh) – Are you serious? / You’re kidding, right?

Sugoi! (soo-goy) – Wow! / Cool!

Suki da yo (soo-kee dah yo) – I like you / I’ve got a crush on you

Bikkuri shita (bik-ku-ree sh’ta) – You made me jump / That was a surprise

Shinda you ni (shin-da yoh-nee) – I’m exhausted (lit. “like dead”)

NOTE: Some Japanese girls will use the phrases in the boys’ list, and vice versa. The gender guide is based on the most common usages, so you can easily see which phrases are considered more feminine or masculine.