Slang

1. やばい

   Yabai

   Wow / that's intense

   Usage

   Means either "amazing" or "terrible" depending on context. Use it with friends your own age only — never with staff, elders or at work

2. めっちゃ

   Meccha

   Super / really

   Usage

   An intensifier from Kansai, now understood nationwide. Not crude — fine with friends and shop staff, but use "totemo" in formal writing or keigo

3. マジで

   Maji de

   Seriously / for real

   Usage

   Both a surprised "really?" and an intensifier. For friends your age; with someone senior say "hontō desu ka"

4. ガチ

   Gachi

   For real / no joke

   Usage

   Means genuine or hardcore — "gachi chūka" is authentic Chinese food. Conversation between friends, not for work

5. ウケる

   Ukeru

   That's hilarious

   Usage

   A "that's funny" reaction, for friends your age. Aimed at someone's mistake it sounds like mockery, so be careful

6. エモい

   Emoi

   Nostalgic and moving

   Usage

   From English "emotional" — for a wistful, moving scene like a sunset or an old street. Among friends your age

7. 推し

   Oshi

   My favourite (idol, character)

   Usage

   The idol or character you back the most. "Oshi wa dare desu ka" is a safe icebreaker even with people you just met

8. 映える

   Baeru

   Photogenic / Instagrammable

   Usage

   From "insuta-bae" — it photographs well. Light enough to use with friends or shop staff

9. ドンマイ

   Donmai

   Never mind / no worries

   Usage

   From "don't mind" — used to reassure someone who slipped up. For friends and peers; with a senior say "o-ki ni nasarazu"

10. おつかれ

    Otsukare

    Good work / see you

    Usage

    Both a thank-you for effort and a goodbye. For friends and peers only — to a senior always say the full "otsukaresama desu"

11. サボる

    Saboru

    To skip / slack off

    Usage

    An old slang verb from French "sabotage". Safe as a joke about yourself; aimed at someone else it is an accusation

12. ドタキャン

    Dotakyan

    A last-minute cancellation

    Usage

    Short for "cancelled at the eleventh hour". Safest when apologising for your own; it can also sound accusatory

13. 微妙

    Bimyō

    Meh / not great

    Usage

    A soft way to say "not quite". Low-conflict, but never say it in front of the person who made it

14. まったり

    Mattari

    Chilling out

    Usage

    Spending time unhurried. Harmless with anyone, and handy when discussing how to plan a day

15. しんどい

    Shindoi

    Rough / exhausting

    Usage

    A colloquial word from western Japan, for body or mind. Natural with friends; with a doctor or official use "tsukaremashita" or "guai ga warui desu"

16. ぼちぼち

    Bochibochi

    So-so / getting by

    Usage

    The classic Kansai reply to "how's business?". A mild answer about how you're doing, safe with anyone

17. チャリ

    Chari

    Bike (bicycle)

    Usage

    Casual word for a bicycle; a "mamachari" is the basket-fronted utility bike. For chat with friends — say "jitensha" at a rental shop

18. とりあえずビール

    Toriaezu bīru

    A beer to start with

    Usage

    The standard first order at an izakaya. Say it straight to the server and draft beer arrives for everyone

19. 割り勘

    Warikan

    Splitting the bill

    Usage

    Splitting evenly by head. Say "warikan ni shimasen ka" to friends; to ask staff for separate bills say "betsubetsu de onegai shimasu"

20. お会計

    Okaikei

    The bill, please

    Usage

    Raise a hand and say "okaikei onegai shimasu". Polite with anyone; crossing your index fingers also gets the message across

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