Gestures These are really easy to remember so you can learn this stuff first. . "Me" pointing to one's nose or touching the nose. "Listening" nodding one's head up and down this should not be mistaken with a "yes" gesture. It means that one is listening, not necessarily agreeing. "Negative" fanning one's hand back and forth in front of the face as if to nod "no" with the hand or fan away flies. "Modesty or embarrassment" covering the mouth with a hand, usually by women. "Anger" pointing the index fingers up from the temples - mimicking a devil with horns. "Fighting" cris-crossing the index fingers or tapping the index fingers together. "Money" forming a circle with the thumb and index fingers together - similar to what is sometimes used in the West to mean "OK". "Eating" holding an imaginary rice bown in the left hand while pretending to shovel rice into the mouth with chopsticks with the right hand. "Drinking" mimin the wrist action of taking a drink from a small sake cup. "Come here" waving the hand in a back and forth motion with the fingers pointed downwards. Pronunciation You should at least look at this section. This is an important part of learning Japanese, because you don't want to try to tell some one that there nice and end up calling them a hore! PRONUNCIATION Japanese is quite phonetic and when spelled with the English alphabet, pronunciation is not a problem if you look at the word carefully and pronounce all the letters. Some vowels are held longer than others and you should be careful because the meanings of the words change. For example OBASAN means aunt and OBAASAN means grandmother. Also, mostJapanese words have equal emphasis stressed on each syllable. For example, HI-RO-SHI-MA is pronounced with equal emphasis on each of the four syllables; not HI-ro-SHI-ma. The pronunciation of vowels is as follows: A......"AH" AS IN FATHER I......."EE" AS IN MACHINE U......"OO" AS IN JUNE E......"EH" AS IN SET O......"OH" AS IN GO In the Japanese language, there is no "L" and so the Japanese have a very difficult time with any English words containing the letter L. The Japanese "R" is the closest and this is why you might hear rabu for the English word, love. The sound "b" also replaces the English sound for "v". Basic Japanese Words These are words that everyone starts out learning, and is suggested that you learn these basics first. English Japanese Greetings How do you do? Hajime-mashite How are you? O-genki-desu-ka? Good morning Ohayo gozai-masu Good afternoon Kon-nichi-wa Good evening Komban-wa Good night Oyasumi-nasai Good-bye Sayo-nara Phrases Thank you Arigato or Domo arigato You're welcome Do-itashi-mashite Excuse me Sumi-masen I'm sorry Gomen-nasai Please (When offering something) Do-zo Please (When requesting something) Kudasai Do you understand? Wakari-masu-ka? Yes Hai No Ii-e What is this? Kore-wa nan-desu-ka? How much? Ikura-desu-ka? Where is the toilet? Toire-wa doko-desu-ka? Numbers One Ichi Two Ni Three San Four Shi Five Go Six Ro-ku Seven Na-na Eight Ha-chi Nine Kyu Ten Ju One Hundred Hya-ku One Thousand Sen Basic Japanese phrases These are phrases that you will most likely use and are more down to earth and realistic than some of the other ones I have. ^_^ English Japanese Common Japanese phrases Wow! Wa Sugoi! Is that true? Ah so desu ka? good... I na... How are you? O genki desu ka? How are you (informal)? Genki Kai? I have caused you to wait? O matase itashimashita I have lost all manners? Shitsurei shimasu See you later? Ite kimas I've come home Ta raima I love you with all my heart Kokoro kara ai suru Would you like to play Go? watashi to igo wo shimasenka Nice to meet you. hajimemashite Good luck ganbatte kudasai Do you want to restart our game? yarinaoshi tai desuka? Thank you for the game. It was fun. game wo issho ni sitekurete arigatou. tanosikatta desu. Please type "done" again. mouichido "done" to utte kudasai Just a moment please chotto matte kudasi It is ok/no problem iidesuyo I am sorry. I know very little Japanese. I didn't understand what you said sumimasen. nihongo wo sukoshi shika shirimasen. anata ga itta kotoga wakari masen deshita. Business like phrases PLEASE, as in "Please go ahead" DO ZO THANK YOU VERY MUCH A RI GA TO GO ZA I MA SU YOU'RE WELCOME DO I TA SHI MA SHI TE "I hope for your continued good support" YO RO SHI KU I'M LEAVING (HOME) I-I TE KI MA SU I'M HOME TA DA I MA MY NAME IS WA TA SHI NO NA MA E WA ... NICE TO MEET YOU HA JI ME MA SHI TE HOW ARE YOU? O GEN KI DE SU KA? I'M SORRY GO MEN NA SA I I UNDERSTAND HAI, WA KA RI MA SU I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IIE, WA KA RI MA SEN HOW MUCH? I KU RA DE SU KA? WHAT TIME? NAN JI DE SU KA? "May I begin?" or "I humbly receive" (at meals only) I TA DA KI MA SU "Thank you for the meal" GO CHI SO SA MA CHEERS! KAN PAI ! PRESIDENT SHA CHO COMPANY KA I SHA OFFICE JI MU SHO HUSBAND SHU JIN WIFE O KU SAN (another person's wife) KA NA I (your wife) CHILD KO DO MO REST ROOM O TE A RAI STATION E KI AIRPORT KU KO HOTEL HO TE RU BANK GIN KO STORE O MI SE MONEY O KA NE To the funny farm (where life is sweet & everything is so merry….) Ok the way out there stuff… some of these will prove to others that you're a foreigner ( also good to teach your enemies & watch them get totally embarrassed) La la land What is the meaning of my bellybutton? Ohesotte nani? Get ready to meet your ashamed ancestors! Anata no gosenzo sama ni kao o awase rare masuka! That was different. Sozo ijo no mono deshta. It was like drops of water boring into my skull. Suiteki de atama ni anao akararete iru yona kokoromochi deshta. I loved the part where the whole family disemboweled themselves. Kazoku sorrote no seppuku ga yokatta. Their deaths perfectly expressed my deepest desires. Watashi no nozomi dori no shinikata deshta ne. Police! Arrest this pervert! Omawarisan! Chikan o tska-mate! I am at the corner of two nameless streets! Nanashi no nihon no michi no kado ni imasu! He looks as grand and immobile as Mount Fuji. Okikute ugokasenai Fujisan mitai da. (To be used at Sumo contests.) Shame! Public Humiliation! Ahoka! Sodai gomi! (To be shouted at baseball players when they err.) I am too barbaric to eat a Japanese breakfast. Nihonshoku o tabesukete inai yabanjin desu. I have many evil thoughts. Osoroshii kangae nimo osoware mas. How honorably shrimp struggle as they choke to death! Ebi no idaina saigo desu! You are as beautiful as spring's first cherry blossom. Anata wa haru ichiban no sakura no yoni utsukushii. Which poet is your favourite? Dare ga suki desuka? Do you mind if I sit in your lap? Anata no hiza ni suwattemo yoroshii deshoka? I see you work for the largest bank on the planet. Sekai ichi no ginko ni otsutome desune. Who killed the old dude? Was it you guys? Dare ga ano jiji magetan da yo? Omè-ra? Don't be so depressing! C'mon let's dance! It's your birthday! Sonna ni nekura ni natte 'nai de! Odorõ ze! Tanjõ jan! Get away from me, you hick! Chikayo'nnai de yo! Kono imobéda! He's working as a pimp in Tokyo. Tokyo de himo no seikatsu o shite'ru. Don't worry! We can use these fake bills! Shimpai suruna yo! Kono niseatsu tsukaeru ze! I didn't know Ken was a pimp! Wild! Ore Ken ga himo da nante, shiranakatta ze! Yaru jan! I was so embarassed! They caught granny shoplifiting! Shinu hodo hazukashii yo! Obã-chan mambiki shite're toki tsukamatchatte sã! No way man! I'm not doing no killing! Ore daremo chirasané ze! Kõdan ja né yo! Be careful of pushy pimps. Shitsukoi kyatchiman ni wa ki o tsukero yo. I don't want to do on a date with such a nerdy girl. Kuradishonaru gyaru nante déto shitaku nai. Say what?! Where is the eel farm? Unagi no nojo wa doko desu ka? Do you mind if I kick this squid? Kono ika o kette mo kamaimasen ka? Don't play in the kiln. (phrase courtesy Brendan Murphy) Kama de asobu na. My goat is ill, can you help him? Watashi no yagi wa byoki de, tasukeru koto ga dekimasu ka? There are two chickens in the garden. Niwa niwa, niwa niwatori ga imasu. Please bring me the blue food. Aoi tabemono o kudasai. That monkey is too heavy. Sono saru wa omosugimasu. Do not lick that frog. It is hallucinogenic. Sono kaeru o nameru na. Genkaku o okosaseru. If you eat this plant, you will explode. Kono dokuso o tabereba, bakuhatsu shimasu. (note: the following volumes are gathered from Keichan's Doki-Doki J-Town. The fallowing also contain vulgar language so please read responsibly!) Slang Volume 1 The first edition of Japanese Slang. Contains 30 basic phrases that will give you some background in J-Speak. Term: "Hakoiri Musume" Definition: Over-protected daughter. Use It: Say this to the parents of the girl you want to date. Term: "Kono-Yaro" Definition: Screw You! Use It: Very carefully. Term: "Uso Baka Una" Definition: You're Lying! Use It: When your lover says "I couldn't find a phone". Term: "Gubi-Gubi" Definition: The sound made when drinking. Use It: To indicate to others you're a tad bit drunk. Term: "Teme kono-yaro" Definition: You Dirty Dog! Use It: On your cheating lover. Term: "Kaigi" Definition: Talking too much. Use It: To refer to the gossiping one in your circle of friends. Term: "Sabetsu" Definition: I wanna be different! Use It: When you find yourself following too many trends. Term: "Sobetsu Kai" Definition: Enjoying being together. Use It: Right before a kiss. Term: "Ushiroyubi" Definition: An outcast. Use It: A superb name for your ex. Term: "Amerika no onnanoko ga suki" Definition: Do you like American girls? Use It: When flirting. *You can substitute otokonoko(boy) for onnanoko(girl). Term: "Gaki" Definition: Shorty! Use It: The supreme insult to a guy's manhood. Term: "Ima Shiyo" Definition: Let's do it now! Use It: When you want someone bad. Term: "Odwara Hyojo" Definition: Let's delay it a bit! Use It: When you don't want someone bad. Term: "Taian" Definition: Waiting for a lucky day. Use It: When your lover wants to wait. Term: "Gaijin Kusai" Definition: Stink like a foreigner. Use It: If you hear this, use the next line as a comeback. Term: "Nande sonna koto dekiru no" Definition: How could you! Use It: When someone says something that really bugs ya. Term: "Tabako Kureru" Definition: Can I have a cigarette? Use It: A good way to go up and start a conversation. Term: "Biru wo nomimashoka" Definition: Let's have a beer. Use It: Another way to start a conversation. Term: "Moto chikaku ni oide" Definition: Come closer to me. Use It: Definitly keeps the conversation flowing. Term: "Damate" Definition: Shut up! Use It: Definitly ends the conversation. Term: "Ishin denshin" Definition: Understanding each other's heartfelt feelings! Use It: When it's true love. Term: "Aishiteruyo" Definition: I love you! Use It: Only when you truly mean it. Term: "Ippai Aishiteruyo" Definition: I love you soooo much! Use It: To put a little more emphasis on I love you. Term: "Aishiteruyo zutto ippai" Definition: I love you soooo much forever! Use It: Before you ask someone to marry you. Term: "Kekkon ishite kureru" Definition: Will you marry me? Use It: You'll need it if you say the last phrase. Term: "Jodanyo" Definition: Just Joking! Use It: A good way to get out of something you didn't mean. Term: "Kuso" Definition: Damn! Use It: If someone says Just Kidding, but you thought they were serious. Term: "Dame dayo" Definition: You shouldn't have said it then! Use It: A harsher way of letting someone know you didn't like the joke. Term: "Namennayo" Definition: Don't joke around with me! Use It: Even harsher. Term: "Shinjimae" Definition: Go to hell! Use It: The harshest! Slang Volume 2 Contains some longer phrases that may require some prior knowledge of the Japanese language. Term: "Nampa Shita" Definition: A hot-spot to flirt. Use It: When describing where you want to hang out on Friday. Term: "Kai Zen" Definition: Nothing is ever good enough. Use It: To relay the attitude of the princess you've been dating. Term: "Kakoii" Definition: A hottie. Use It: Yell it at the cute guy singing Karaoke. Term: "Kawaii" Definition: A cutie. Use It: Whisper it in the ear of a sweet girl. Term: "Kamatoto" Definition: Acting a bit too innocent. Use It: To describe the playboy who acts like a virgin. Term: "Kankyo Zukuri" Definition: Getting creative. Use It: When throwing something unusual into the mix. Term: "Okagesamade" Definition: God's got my back. Use It: When you're taking some big risks- AKA being a wild thing. Term: "Sairiyo" Definition: Recycling the past. Use It: When an ex brings up old news in a fight. Term: "Sawayaka" Definition: Satisfying sensual pleasure. Use It: As a compliment. Term: "Akogare" Definition: Doing without. Use It: When you aren't getting any. Term: "Aka Chochin" Definition: The red light district. Use It: To describe where you finally got some. Term: "Dame Oshi" Definition: Make damn sure! Use It: When you want to be absolutely positively sure. Term: "Iki Gai" Definition: Glad to be alive! Use It: When you almost get caught cheating. Term: "Hansei" Definition: Don't get caught. Use It: When you decide to cheat again. Term: "Uchi No Kaisha" Definition: Don't screw with my buddies. Use It: To let others know you've got your friend's back. Term: "Tsumaranai Mono" Definition: Keep that worthless thing! Use It: As parting words with your ex's new lover. Term: "Kandan Kai" Definition: Let's chat. Use It: A good way to go up and start a conversation. Term: "Kei Haku Tan Sho" Definition: Light, Skinny, Short, and Tiny. Use It: To describe your dream girl. Term: "Kikkake" Definition: Poser. Use It: To describe the 'wanna-be' you know. Term: "Shiran Kao" Definition: Keeping a straight face. Use It: As in- 'How can you keep a straight face, I know your lying'. Term: "Aiso Warai" Definition: Watch out for fake faces. Use It: As a warning for the last two phrases. Term: "Agetsurau" Definition: Constantly finding fault. Use It: To describe a picky person. Term: "Atari Mae" Definition: It goes without saying! Use It: When someone asks 'Do you love me'. Term: "Chusei Shin" Definition: Extremely loyal. Use It: To describe your best buddy. Term: "Danson Johi" Definition: Men before women. Use It: Don't ever say this! Term: "Gijiroku" Definition: Being Flexible. Use It: To describe a non-exclusive relationship. Term: "Hara No Mushi" Definition: A gut feeling. Use It: When you just know something isin't right. Term: "Iroke" Definition: Female charms. Use It: To describe the way the cutie was flirting with you. Term: "Juken Jigoku" Definition: A trip through hell. Use It: When refering to a bad relationship. Term: "Kuchi Kome" Definition: Gossip. Use It: To express hearsay. Slang Volume 3 Almost all of the phrases in this section are new to Keichan's Doki-Doki J-Town and weren't included in past slang volumes. Term: "Awaseru Kao Ga Nai" Definition: To be extremely ashamed. Use It: After you have really screwed up. Term: "Watari Ni Fune" Definition: Saved the day! Use It: When you jumped in at the right moment. Term: "Onobori San" Definition: Country Bumpkin Use It: To describe someone from the sticks. Term: "Happo Bijin" Definition: Trying to please everyone. Use It: To describe a two faced person. Term: "Kao Ga Hiroi" Definition: To be widely known. Use It: If you say a name and everyone knows who it is, use this phrase. Term: "Ashi Wo Arau" Definition: Start over. Use It: When you've decided to clean up your act. Term: "Nakitsura Ni Hachi" Definition: When it rains, it pours. Use It: When you've been getting a lot of bad breaks. Term: "Haippari Dako" Definition: Mr. or Ms. Popularity. Use It: To describe the one everyone wants to know. Term: "Tatsu Tori Ata Wo Nigosazu" Definition: End it on a good note. Use It: When the break up was clean. Term: "Onaji Ana No Mujina" Definition: Partners in crime. Use It: To describe your best bud. Term: "Neko Mo, Shakushi Mo" Definition: Everyone and his brother. Use It: To tell everyone how many people your ex slept with. Term: "Mizu Shoubai" Definition: A shady business. Use It: To refer to a girl you've seen working at a love hotel. Term: "Suna Wo Kamu You" Definition: A dull life. Use It: To talk about life without a good lover. Term: "Onaji Kama No Meishi Wo Kutta" Definition: Been through a lot together. Use It: When your lover & you have lasted through it all. Term: "Kouin Ya No Gotoshi" Definition: Time Flies. Use It: When you're having fun. Term: "Onna San Nin Yoreba Kashimashii" Definition: Women gossip too much! Use It: Don't use this one either. Term: "Ni No Ashi Wo Fumu" Definition: Having second thoughts. Use It: A good way to let others know you're hesitant. Term: "Ishin Deshin" Definition: Wordless understanding. Use It: When you are literally finishing someone's sentences. Term: "Mizu Ni Nagasu" Definition: Forgive and forget. Use It: When you decide to let bygones be bygones. Term: "Uri Futatsu" Definition: Two peas in a pod. Use It: To describe the the cutest couple you know. Term: "Takane No Hana" Definition: Out of your league. Use It: To describe the princess at the bar. Term: "Ana Ga Attara Hairitai" Definition: I want to crawl in a hole and die. Use It: When everyone laughs at your new dance moves. Term: "Ushirogami Wo Hikareru Omoi" Definition: Feeling supreme reluctance. Use It: When your contemplating getting on the dance floor again. Term: "Abata Mo Ekubo" Definition: Pimples look like dimples. Use It: When love is blind. Term: "Mushi No Iki" Definition: Almost dead. Use It: When you know the relationship has gone south. Term: "Hachi No Su Wo Tsutsuita You" Definition: Unbelievibly chaotic and frenzied. Use It: To describe the scene at Tokyo's new night club. Term: "Chan Pon" Definition: Ka-Boom! (as in an explosion) Use It: If you're mixing some very lethal drinks. Term: "Baka Wa Shinanakya Naoranai" Definition: Once a fool, always a fool. Use It: We all know someone like this. Term: "Asameshi Mae" Definition: A piece of cake! Use It: When someone asks you if you have a chance with the cute girl. Term: "Ju Nin Toiro" Definition: Different strokes for different folks. Use It: When defending your kinky side! Slang Volume 4 Due to the extremely strong nature of this volume, I request that if you are not 18 years of age, you do not enter. Thanks! Term: "Yariman" Definition: Slut! Use It: Very cautiously. Term: "Da-chu No" Definition: Dutch Pose (A pose meant to show off your breasts). Use It: When taking photos. Term: "Kosho Benjo" Definition: Public toilet. Use It: To describe someone who will let anyone use them. Term: "Anata Ga Hoshii" Definition: I want you. Use It: Very often- Ha Ha. Term: "Kizushite" Definition: Kiss me. Use It: Use this one often too. Term: "Anata Wa Ichiban" Definition: You're the best. Use It: When you've decided you'd like to keep this lover in bed a little longer. Term: "Tottemo Kimochii" Definition: That feels really good. Use It: At the right moment. Term: "Iku! Iku!" Definition: Ummm... I am having a climax. Use It: You'll know when. Term: "Koko Ni Kizushite" Definition: Kiss me right here. Use It: When pointing to a specific spot. Term: "Mo Owari" Definition: Finished already?!. Use It: With a guy who jumps the gun. Term: "Kande" Definition: Bite me. Use It: If you're kinky. Term: "Hinin Shite" Definition: Will you use protection? Use It: When you aren't ready for babies. Term: "Motto Hayaku" Definition: Faster! Use It: In the heat of the moment. Term: "Motto Fukaku" Definition: Deeper! Use It: With the phrase before this one. Term: "Kini Itta" Definition: Was it good for you? Use It: After a few hours of lovin'. Term: "Yokkata Wa" Definition: It was superb! Use It: As a reply to the last phrase. Term: "Mo Ikkai" Definition: Wanna do it again? Use It: If you're ready for more! Term: "Iroppi" Definition: You're sexy. Use It: As a pick up line. Term: "Me Wo Tojite" Definition: Close your eyes. Use It: During foreplay. Term: "Kirei Na Karada" Definition: You've got a hot body. Use It: As a wonderful compliment. Term: "Chigan Sutairu Wo Tameshitai" Definition: Let's try a new posistion. Use It: If the lovin' isin't so good anymore. Term: "Bakku De Shiyou" Definition: Let's try doggy style. Use It: When you really want to have fun. Term: "Shikkusu Nain De Shiyou" Definition: Let's try sixty nine. Use It: I don't think you need me to tell you when to use this. Term: "Sono Shitagi Suteki Ne" Definition: Those are nice undies. Use It: When you can actually see them. Ha Ha. Term: "Kofun Shite Kichatta" Definition: I'm getting horny. Use It: When... Well... You know when. Term: "Konya Atte" Definition: Be with me tonight. Use It: When you wanna get some. Term: "Anata To Netai" Definition: I want to sleep with you. Use It: As a more direct approach. Term: "Ookii Ne" Definition: It's big, isin't it. Use It: A great male ego booster. Term: "Chotto Chisai Ne" Definition: It's a little small, huh. Use It: A great male ego deflator. Term: "Hinin Suru No Wasurechatta" Definition: I forgot to use a condom. Use It: And you'll be in big trouble buddy! MORE JAPANESE IS ALWAYS BEING ADDED SO KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR NEW POSTINGS! Brought to you by: FAX