Glossary
This section contains some of the Japanese words, honorifics and greetings used in some of our stories. The words were explained to the best of our abilities, however, if you can provide a better explanation and want to share it here, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.
ANOU - Japanese equivalent of “hmmm”. It can also mean “excuse me”, indicating that you want to say something to a person.
ARIGATOU or ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU - Thank you
BUCHOU - Captain
CHIGAIMASU - No. Chigaimasu brings a very strong feeling of disagreement, so be careful when using this!
CHOTTO MATTE KUDASAI - Just a moment please.
DAIJOUBU - It’s okay.
DEMO - but; however
DOKI - The sound of one’s heartbeat
HAI - Yes
HAJIMEMASHITE - Japanese equivalent of “hello”, although it doesn’t really have a direct translation in English. You use this when you have to introduce yourself to a person for the first time.
HIMITSU - Secret
IIE - No
ITAI - It hurts; ouch
ITADAKIMASU - I humbly receive (this meal); A Japanese equivalent of Grace before Meal.
JAA - So; later(informal)
JIKOSHOKAI SHIMASU - Introduce yourself
KAMI-SAMA - God, Lord, Supreme Being
KANASHII - Sad, unfortunate
KEIGO - Way of speaking in a very polite manner
KIMI - You (very informal)
KOUHAI - Subordinate or junior
KUSO! - Bad word. :p
MAJI? - Really?
MAMUSHI - Viper
MINNA or MINNA-SAN - Everyone
NANDA? - What is it? An informal form of “Nan desuka?”
NANDEYANEN? - This is Kansai-ben for “What the heck?”
NANI? - What?
OHISASHIBURI - It’s been a long time since we met.
OJIISAN - Grandfather. You can shorten this to “ojii” but be careful when using this!
OKAASAN - Mother. You can also say “kaasan”, “kaachan”, or “haha”.
ONEESAN - Older sister (by blood or just to show respect). You can also say “neesan”, “oneechan”, “neechan” or “neesama”.
ONIISAN - Older brother (by blood or just to show respect). You can also say “niisan”, “oniichan”, “niichan” or “niisama”.
OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU - Congratulations
RYOUKAI - “Roger!”
SASUGA - As espected
SENPAI - Senior or upperclassman. When referring to a group of upperclassmen, the word senpai-tachi is used.
SHIKKARI - Get your act together; please pay attention to what you are doing
SHITSUREI SHIMASU - Excuse me
SOU DESU KA - Is that so?
SOU DA NE - You’re right
SOU KA - I see
SOU, SOU - Yes, yes; Yes that’s right
SUGOI - Amazing
SUMIMASEN - Depending on the context, sumimasen could mean either “excuse me” or “I am sorry”.
SUTEKI - Lovely, wonderful
TADAIMA - I’m home
TENSAI - Genius
YATTA! - As far as I know this roughly means, “Yes, I did it!”. You say this when you successfully did something.
YOROSHIKU ONEGAISHIMASU - There is no direct translation of this word in English, but it roughly means “Please take care of me in the future”. This phrase is said at the end of every first time introductions or when someone is working on a project and the person is asking for your support.
YOSHI! - Yes! (Context: getting ready to do something with full conviction)
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