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Japanese - English Wordlist |
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This is an evergrowing list of words and expressions that are used in anime, manga and related newsgroups and webpages. The intention of this list is to provide a guide for all who is new to the world of anime and manga. It is NOT my intention to create a complete dictionary. I have only a limited amount of time I can spend on this list and my knowledge of Japanese is far from perfect. Therefor I will only list the most common uses of the items in this list. Where applicable I will include an example of the usage in an anime or manga series. If it is a series-related item I will probably only explain the usage in that particular series. A series item will have the name of the series in brackects behind it. |
A
Abunai
Dangerous,
close, critical, "Watch out!!"...
Expression used to warn someone of an impending danger. In most cases the
person for who the warning is destined, isn't aware of the danger. In English
people would use: "Watch out!!", "Look out!!", "Get
out out of the way!!".
Ai
Love,
together, accomplice, ... "Ai"
has several uses depending on its kanji writing. If you only have the kana
writing you'll have to look at the context to determine the correct
translation. [Sailor Moon]: "Aino Minako" although it is a name
literally means Minako of love.
Akuma
Devil,
demon, satan.... Can also be used to
refer to a living thing, much as the English would say: "You devil"
Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank
you. Used to express gratitude after the
speaker has recieved something. This can either be an object or a favor of some
sort. In informal speach this is often abbreviated to "arigatou". In
formal speach "Domo arigatou gozaimasu" is used.
Arubaito
A
part-time job. Comes from the German word
"Arbeit" (:work).
Asoko
That
place, over there. Careful, it can also be used to refer to ones genitals.
Atashi
I. Used by female speakers to emphasize their femininity.
B
Baka
Idiot. If you want to insult someone you will most likely use
this word. Although in Occidental eyes, the translation as "Idiot"
may seem rather lame compared to English equivalents such as
"asshole", in Japan where personal intelligence is highly valued
calling someone an "idiot" is a serious insult. Use Baka wisely.
Baka na
That's
crazy!, That's impossible!, That's unbelievable! This expression is used when the speaker cannot believe
his or her eyes or ears. See also "Uso".
Bakemono
A
(malevolent) ghost, spirit or monster..
[Mimi wo sumaseba]: Seiji called the cat Moon, a "bakeneko", a spirit
cat, because of its sometimes unusal behaviour.
Banzai
Hurrah,
Long life, Cheers. Banzai literally means
"Ten thousand years".
Bara
Rose. "Versailles no bara" translates as "Rose
of Versailles", the Japanese name of the TV series known in France as
"Lady Oscar".
Bijin
Beautiful
woman. Can be used both to refer to or
address a woman. English equivalents would be "beauty" or
"babe". The latter is used in the positive sense.
Bishoujou
Beautiful
girl. [Sailor Moon]: "Bishoujou
Senshi Sailor Moon" means Beautiful Girl Warrior Sailor Moon.
Boku
I. Used by male speakers.
Boku no <noun>
My
<noun>. But is is used by men only.
However there are exceptions. [Sailor Moon]: Haruka (Sailor Uranus) uses this
to emphasize her masculinity. [Ranma 1/2]: Ranma-chan also uses it regularly
but that is because "she" is in reality a "he".
C
Chan
A
diminutive suffix attached to a female person's name. Used only in informal speech e.g. among close friends or
family. [Sailor Moon]: The other senshi refer to Minako as Minako-chan.
It is also used to address or refer to a female person who is younger and/or
has a lower status than the speaker. In some cases it is also used to refer to
a male person. [Kimagure Orange Road]: Kurumi calls her elder(!) brother
"Oniichan" which indicates that she hasn't that much respect for him.
See also Kun.
Chigau
To
differ from, "It isn't". Chigau
is a more gentle way to contradict a person. It is not as abrupt as saying:
"You are wrong" in English.
Chotto
a
short time, a little. When used on its
own it means "Just a minute!" in the sense of "Stop it!" or
"Hold it right there!".
D
Daijoubu
All
right, OK. Can be used both as a question
and an answer. "Daijoubo? Hai, Daijoubu." Are you OK? Yes, I'm OK.
Dame
No
good, useless, impermissable, unacceptable.
A common expression to indicate that something is either useless or
impermissable is "Dame da"
Dare
Who. "Dare da?" translates as: "Who is
there?".
Doko?
Where?
Domo arigatou gozaimusu
Thank
you. Used in formal speech. In informal
speech abbriviated to "Domo arigatou" or simply "Domo".
E
Ecchi
Lewd,
indecent, H. "Ecchi" is the
pronounciation of the letter "H" which is the first letter of Hentai. Ecchi is more mildly
than hentai. It can be used in a more positive sense by a girl. Mostly
when she has feelings for the boy in question and/or in a situation where
"she only defends herself with words" if you know what I mean ^_^.
F
Fuketsu
Unclean,
dirty. [Shin Seiki Evangelion]: Maya's
comment when Misato and Kaiji are found in an elevator in a, <ahem>,
compromising position.
Fuku
Clothes,
good fortune, ... . "Fuku" has
many uses depending on its kanji writing. If you only have the kana writing
you'll have to look at the context to determine the correct translation.
However, I must say that until now I haven't seen a case where it meant
something different than "clothes".
G
Gesen [Sailor Moon]
Abbreviation
for Game Center Crown. The place run by
Motoki where the senshi tend to hang around in their free time, especially
Usagi and Minako. In the manga their headquarters is under the Gesen.
H
Hai
Yes. Used in normal and formal speech. See also Un.
Hajimemashite
Nice
to meet you. Literally: "I meet you for the first time." This is expression is used in normal and polite speech
when people meet for the first time. A more informal variant is Yoroshiku.
Hen
na
Strange.
Hentai
Pervert. See also Ecchi.
Hi
Day, fire, flame, sun, light, spoon, ice, ... "Hi" has
many uses depending on its kanji writing. If you only have the kana writing
you'll have to look at the context to determine the correct translation.
[Slayers]: "Ano hi", the times that Lynna can't cast any spells,
means That time of the month. [Sailor Moon]: "Hino Rei"
although it is a name literally means Rei of fire.
Hidoi
Awful. Can also be used on its own as an exclamation.
Hikari
Light. [Slayers]: "Hikari no Ken" is the Sword of
Light.
Hime
Princess.
Hoshi
Star. [Captain Harlock, Queen Emeraldas, GE 999]: "Hoshi
no umi" translates as "Sea of stars", one of the most beautiful
metaphors I ever encountered in a series.
I
Itai
Ouch!, That hurt!, painful. Used when the
speaker feels sudden pain of some sort.
Irasshaimasu
Welcome. This standard welcome phrase is said to all costumers
when they enter the store/restaurant/kissaten/...
J
Joudan
A joke!, I'm just kidding. Can also be used as
an expression of disbelief: "You've got to be joking!"
K
Kami
A God. However, if one refers to or addresses "God",
the honorific "-sama" is attached to it. Hence Kami-sama.
Kanchyou
Captain. Used to address the commander of a warship. See also Teichyou.
Kawaii
Cute. Don't mix it up with Kowai.
Kaze
Wind.
Ki
Tree, yellow, table, mood, raw, chest, ... "Ki" has
many uses depending on its kanji writing. If you only have the kana writing
you'll have to look at the context to determine the correct translation.
[Sailor Moon]: "Kino Makoto" although it is a name literally means Makoto
of the tree.
Kimagure
Whimsical, capricious.
Koko
Here, this place. Used to refer to a place which is closer
to the speaker than to the listener.
Konban wa
Good evening. Standard greeting in the evening. Keep
in mind that the actual spelling is "konban ha".
Konnichi wa
Hello, Good day. Standard greeting. Keep in mind that the
actual spelling is "konnichi ha".
Kousoku
Lightspeed. [Gall Force]: "Kousoku drive":
lightspeed drive.
Kowai
Scary, frightful. Can also be used on its own to indicate
that one is affraid. [Sailor Stars]: When little Hotaru is menaced by the
malevolent reflection of Neherenia she says "Kowai". She used it to
indicate she was affraid although she didn't say it to anyone in particular.
Don't mix it up with Kawaii.
Kun
A diminutive suffix attached to a male person's name. Used only in
informal speech e.g. among close friends or family. [Kimagure Orange Road]:
Madoka addresses Kyousuke as Kasuga-kun. The fact that she uses his
family name in combination with kun is an indication that although they are
close she keeps a certain distance by using his family name. [Shin Seiki
Evangelion]: Rei refers to Shinji as Ikari-kun for the same reasons. Colleagues
at work may also use the combination <family name>-kun. It is also used
to address or refer to a male person who is younger and/or has a lower status
than the speaker. In some cases it is also used to refer to a female person.
[Ranma 1/2]: On at least one occasion Genma addressed Nabiki as Nabiki-kun. See
also Chan.
M
Mahou
Magic, sorcery, witchcraft.
Mahoutsukai
Magician, sorcerer, witch.
Mamono
Demon, devil, ghost.
Maou
Devil.
Masaka
It can't be!. Expression of disbelief.
Mata ne!
See you. Literally: "Again, ok?"
Megami
A Goddess (any goddess). If one refers to or
addresses a goddess the honorific "-sama" is attached to it.
Minna/Minna-san
Everyone, everybody. Used to refer to or
to address a group of people.
Mizu
Water. [Sailor Moon]: "Mizuno Ami" although it is a
name literally means Ami of water.
Mononoke
Ghost, spirit, monster. See my Mononoke
Hime FAQ for more details.
Mo
Already, soon, also, ... . The particle mo can
have a lot of meanings depending on the context. Used on its own, at the
beginning or more rarely at the end of a sentence, it is an expression of
frustration. Mostly used by women. It is difficult to translate directly. An
English equivalent could be: "That's enough!" or "I have had
enough of this!"
N
Nandemonai
Easy, trifling, "Not at all". Often used as a
reply on some kind of personal compliment.
Nani
What?, What the ... Regularly used as an
expression of surprise.
Naruhodo
I see. Expression used when the speaker realizes that something
is so.
Naze
Why?
Neko
Cat
O
Ohayo
gozaimasu
Good morning. Standard greeting used by people when
they meet for the first time in the morning at home, on the way to work or
school or as the working day begins. Bar hostesses will use this to greet
eachother as they come to work in the evening. In informal speech it is
abbreviated to "Ohayo".
Oppai
Breasts.
Otaku
Die-hard fan, nerd. In Western Europe
and the US some people call themselves, with a certain pride, "otaku"
to indicate that they are anime fans. In Japan however otaku has not only a
broader meaning but it is also used in a negative sense. In Japan, an otaku is
a social outcast, a pariah. A loner with a certain obsession for which he
sacrifices everything else. That obsession can be anime and/or manga but it can
also be something else like cars, an idol singer, a photo model, an theatre
performer, a sportsman, ... . Take an idol singer otaku for example. He must
absolutely have everything that is related to her. He must also
know everything about her, even the smallest details such as to which
elementary school she went when she was still a kid. It is like a fever, he can
hardly talk or think about anything else. Nothing else really matters. He has
little or no friends. If he is lucky he finds a partner that shares or at least
tolerates his obsession. He will meet with fellow otaku on a regular basis and
they will try to beat eachother with the size of their collection and the
extent of their knowledge. Occidental examples of otakus can be found, for
example, among the Trekkies (fans of Star Trek). Now don't get me wrong here! I
am not saying that all Star Trek fans are otakus. Only Trekkies that fit the
description above are. I personally like Star Trek, but I just watch the
series, nothing more. I'm not really interested in Marina Sirtis's favorite
colour or Jennifer Liens's measurements, I don't have a Starfleet uniform and I
don't speak Klingon. One last thing: otaku aren't just men. There are female
otaku as well.
P
Pachinko
A Japanese vertical pinball game. One can write an
entire book about Pachinko (and lots of people have). In short: for the
Japanese it is more than just a pinball game. By concentrating on the
flickering lights, the little balls as they fall down into the machine and the
sounds, the player can get into some sort of meditational trance much like
monks and priests when they are meditating in a shrine. Characters in anime and
manga series are sometimes seen playing pachinko when they are troubled by
something or when they are in some kind of emotional dip. By playing pachinko
they try to regain their inner balance and gather the emotional strength to
resolve or at least face their problem.
R
Rounin
Ronin. A samurai without a master. At present day it is also
used for a student who flunk his entrance exam and is waiting for another
chance to get into a university.
Ryoukai
OK, understood. Reply to a message or order to indicate
that it is understood. English equivalent is "Roger!".
S
San
Mr or Mrs. Suffix attached to a person's name. Used in normal
polite speech among equals.
Sama
Mr or Mrs (very polite). Suffix attached to a person's
name. Used in formal speech and/or to refer to someone who has
clearly a very high status.
Sayonara
Goodbye, farewell. Remark: correct
pronounciation is "sayoonara" instead of "sayonaara".
Senpai
Senior, elder. Used to address or refer to a person who
has a higher status in a hierarchical structure. At school this is a an
upperclassman. [Kimagure Orange Road]: Aside from "Darling", Hikaru
also uses the term "Senpai" when talking to or about Kyousuke because
he is older and in a higher class than her.
Remark: senpai is actually pronounced "sempai".
Shoujo
Girl or girl-related item. Shoujo manga are
manga for girls.
Shounen
Boy or boy-related item. Shounen manga are
manga for boys.
Senshi
Warrior, Soldier. [Sailor Moon]: "Sailor Senshi"
translates as Sailor Soldier. "Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon"
means Beautiful Girl Warrior Sailor Moon.
Soko
There, that place. Used to refer to a
place which is closer to the listener than to the speaker.
Sugoi
(or Suge)
Amazing, wonderful, great, awful, dreadful. Expresses amazement
about someone's accomplishment or talent. This word can be used both in
positive and negative sense depending on the person one is talking about. If it
is a friend's talent one is describing it would be: "He is great!".
If it is arival or an enemy it would carry a certain dread like: "He is
awfully good!"
Suki
Fondness, liking. Correct translation depends on the
context. When talking about objects or food it can be translated as eg: "I
like/love ice cream.". When talking about a person it tends more to
"like" than to "love".
To express love between two people "Daisuki" is used. This
literally translates as "Big liking". More common translations are:
"to like a lot" or "to love/fall in love". [Kimagure Orange
Road]: At the end of the manga series, Madoka asks Kyousuke if he likes her or
loves her. Kyousuke assures her it is the latter. So there is indeed a world of
difference between these two words.
Suteki
Lovely, beautiful, fanatstic, great, superb. Used to express
admiration about the physical appearance, rather than some inner talent as with
Sugoi although the two are
perfectly interchangeable. Women tend to use it more than man.
Remark: The "u" in suteki is a whispered vowel so it is actually
pronounced "steki".
T
Tasukete!
Help!, Save me!, Spare my/his life.
Teichyou
Captain, commander. See also Kanchyou
Teki
Enemy, rival.
Tomodachi
Friend.
Tsuki
Moon, luck, ... "Tsuki" has several uses
depending on its kanji writing. If you only have the kana writing you'll have
to look at the context to determine the correct translation. [Sailor Moon]:
"Tsukino Usagi" although it is a name literally means Rabbit of
the Moon.
U
Umi
Sea. [Captain Harlock, Queen Emeraldas, GE 999]: "Hoshi
no umi" translates as "Sea of stars", one of the most beautiful
metaphors I ever encountered in a series.
Un
Yes, yeah, uhuh. Used in informal speech. See also Hai.
Ureshii
Happy, glad. It is often used on its own as an
exclamation to indicate that the speaker is happy.
Urusai
Noisy, loud.. Used on its own (often yelled) the
speaker indicates that there is too much noise and demands implicitly silence.
So the English translation of Urusai would be: "Silence!"
Usagi
Rabbit. [Sailor Moon]: Sailor Moon's real name is Tsukino Usagi
which means "Rabbit of the Moon". This explains the multiple
references to rabbits troughout the anime and manga.
Uso
Impossible!, It can't be!, Literally: a lie! This expression is
used when the speaker cannot believe his or her eyes or ears. See also "Baka
na". However, it
can also mean what it literally is: a lie so "Uso da"
translates as That is a lie. So the correct translation depends on the
context.
Usotsuki
Liar.
W
Watashi
I. Neutral, can be used by both men and women.
Y
Yappari!
Just as I thought! I knew it! Often used as an
exclamation to oneself or to others when the speaker's suspicions prove to be
correct.
Yatta!
All right! Expression of victory. Used when a
certain action or plan has succeeded although there was at the start some doubt
that it would.
Yokatta
I'm glad, Phew. Expression of relief. Mostly used when
the speaker was worried about someone or something and everything turns out to
be OK.
Yoroshiku
Hi
/ Nice to meet you. Informal greeting
when people meet for the first time. A more formal variant is Hajimemashite.
Youma
A
(malevolent) ghost. Often used in Sailor
Moon series