Watakushi - me

A very formal version of "me," also a very old version.

Boku - me

Young males usually use this, or, like Utena, females who want to appear masculine.

Ore - me

Very masculine version, used among males. Carries a rough connotation.

Atashi - me

Feminine version of "me." I use this because I'm too lazy to pronounce the extra "w."

Sessha - me

An older version of the world, means "humble one." Kenshin uses this.

Anata - you

Most commonly used form, often used in surveys or newpapers. However, using this with people you don't know can be insulting. Anata is also a term wives call their husbands as an endearment.

Omae - you

A form of "you" that has further connotations of familiarity, more so than "anata." Thus, it can either be endearing when used between two close people, or very insulting. (I had a bad experience with this... I knew no Japanese, and was trying to figure out which part of "Omae wo korosu" meant "kill." I guessed "omae" and asked a nice Japanese lady about it. She was utterly horrified and said it was a very bad word. Oops.)

Kimi - you

Usually used between males. Males also use it to refer to people under their authority, or to refer to their girlfriends. (Hrm... Methinks that sounds vaguely priggish.)

Kisama - you

Another very familiar form of "you" that is highly insulting. Usually in anime, it's used to call other people bastards or as a curse.

~sama

An ending with the connotation of extreme respect. Usually it's used with royalty (Relena-sama) or in real life, with customers (okyaku-sama) or on mail envelopes (Tanaka-sama).

~chan

An ending normally used with children (Se-chan, short for Setsuna) or between very close friends. The "~chan" ending is usually used with female children or between female close friends. However, in some shows, girls will refer to their boyfriends using "~chan" (Mamoru in Sailor Moon becomes Mamo-chan). Sometimes bosses will refer to the office ladies using this, which is a point of contention, since it implies condescension.

~kun

An ending usually used with male children (Se-kun, if Setsuna is a guy). It's also used for males you think are very cute, usually younger than you or lower on the social ladder.

~sensei

A means of address used with teachers, doctors, and in Japanese fandom, with mangaka (manga artists).

~senpai

Use for someone older than you are, but not too much older (i.e. someone about the age of an older sibling). See "senpai" for a more thorough definition.

~hime

An ending that means "princess." I.e. Mononoke-hime.

Hajimemashite - pleased to meet you

More literally, "for the first time." Used during introductions or when meeting new people. See "Douzo yoroshiku" for more detail.

Douzo yoroshiku - pleased to meet you

More literally means "please treat me kindly" or "please take care of me." To be more polite, say, "Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu." It's often used during introductions (see when Heero is introduced to Relena's school): "Hajimemashite, watashi wa Any-name-here desu. Douzo yoroshiku." Translates to: Pleased to meet you. My name is Any-name-here.

Konnichiwa - good afternoon/hello

The "wa" in konnichiwa is actually "ha" in Japanese, pronounced "wa."

Konbanwa - good evening/hello

Ditto with the "wa" here.

Moshi moshi - hello

Used to answer the telephone.

Oyasumi nasai - good night (polite)

Between familiars, just "oyasumi." Unlike in English, this is only used before going to bed.

Sayounara - goodbye (polite)

"Sayounara" is used more often when you don't expect to see the person again for a long time.

Shitsurei shimasu - goodbye (very polite)

Usually we use this when entering or exiting a teacher's office. Literally, it means "losing respect" or "impoliteness." You also use this instead of "Sayounara" when saying bye to a teacher or a superior.

Ja, mata ashita - see you tomorrow/bye (casual)

Often it's shortened to "Ja, mata," which is something like "Later!" or just "ja ne" or "ja." Used between friends and equals.

Arigatou gozaimasu - thank you (polite)

To be very polite, you can say "doumo arigatou gozaimasu." People also use "arigatou" or "doumo arigatou" (Domo arigatou, Mr. Roboto, anyone?). "Doumo" is the truncated form used between equals.

Douitashimashite - you're welcome

Douzo - please

Not in the sense of "please do the dishes for me" or "pretty please with a cherry on top," but rather in the "please come in" sense. Can be said when ushering people in doors, pulling chairs for people, gesturing for people to start eating type things.

Gomen nasai - sorry (informal)

Despite common misperceptions (myself initially included), "gomen nasai" is informal, used between familiars. "Gomen" is said for short.

Sumimasen - sorry (formal)

Use this with teachers, bosses, and other superior people. To be really sorry (goodness, what did you do?), say, "Doumo sumimasen."

Moushiwake arimasen - I'm sorry (very formal)

When you are really really sorry to someone high above you. To be even more polite, you can use "Moushiwake gozaimasen."

Onegai shimasu - please (polite)

This is the please for "pretty please do this for me." Just "onegai" among friends.

Omedetou gozaimasu - congratulations

Used for weddings, graduations, new jobs, anything of the sort. "Omedetou" for shorts. If you want to say "Happy New Year," use "akemashite omedetou gozaimasu." Similarly, "happy birthday" is "otanjyoubi (just tanjyoubi for informal situations) omedetou gozaimasu."

Chichi - father

This is used to refer to your own father in front of other people. I've also noticed that Quatre calls his dad "Chichi-ue," which literally translates into "father up." I assume it's a term of extreme respect for your own father.

Okaa-san - mother

Like "otou-san," used to refer to other people's mothers or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Okaa-chan" or "Kaa-chan."

Haha - mother

Used to refer to your own mother in front of other people. Not sure if "Haha-ue" is ever used.

Onii-san - big brother

Used to refer to other people's big brothers or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Onii-chan" or "Nii-chan." It can also be used to address males around the age of an older brother when you don't know their name.

Ani - big brother

Used to refer to your own big brother in front of other people. I think "Ani-ue" is used sometimes, not sure though.

Onee-san - big sister

Used to refer to other people's big sisters or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Onee-chan" or "Nee-chan." I think it can also be used to address females around the age of an older sister when you don't know their name.

Ane - big sister

Used to refer to your own big sister in front of other people. I guess "Ane-ue" could be used too.

Otouto - little brother

Used to refer to your own little brother in front of other people. Use "Otouto-san" for other people's little brothers. When you address your own little brother, you usually use his name.

Imouto - little sister

Used to refer to your own little sister in front of other people. Use "Imouto-san" for other people's little sisters. When you address your own little sister, you usually use her name.

Oji-san - uncle; sir

When used as "sir," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward a middle-aged man from a younger person.

Oba-san - aunt; ma'am

When used as "ma'am," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward a middle-aged woman from a younger person.

Ojou-san - daughter; miss

When used as "miss," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward younger women, I'm guessing. Duo calls Relena this in the beginning.

Senpai - elder; senior

The senpai/kohai relationship in Japan is one between an older person and a younger person at school or at work. The older person usually takes care of the kohai and guides him through scary times, while the kohai is expected to perform well to increase his senpai's stature. Since Teen and I are in the same school (and have been for forever... she's following me everywhere!), I'm her senpai, and she's my kohai. Although I don't hold her to the performing-well-to-raise-my-stature thing. And she usually feeds me, instead of the other way around -_-;;.

Bakayarou - idiot

Stronger than baka, a bit like "bastard." Duo is quite fond of this one.

Chikushou - beast; brute; damn

Damnit.

Dame - no good; must not

"Dame, dame!" is basically "don't do that!" or "you can't do that!"

Ecchi - perverted

This is actually the Japanese pronunciation of "H," short for "hentai."

Hanasu - (to) release

"Hanashite" is the informal way of saying "please let me go," but when yelled by a shoujo in the clutches of a dirty male, means something like, "Get your hands off of me!"

Hen - strange; change

If you are "hen," you are pretty darn weird.

Hentai - pervert; perverse

X-rated stuff here, kiddies.

Itai - hurts; painful

Usually used as an exclamation in anime. "Itai!" basically means "ouch!"

Kuso - feces; excrement

In other words, shit.

Shimatta - damn it!

I've also seen it defined as "shit." I have a theory that it's a version of ~te shimau, which, when tacked onto verbs, indicates completion or regret. Shimatta would be the informal past tense version, and the regret bit does work. Kind of. Maybe. Who knows?

Tamaranai - unbearable

When you've just about had it.

Tasukeru - (to) help

"Tasukete" is the informal way of saying "please help." Usually it's used with "Dareka tasukete!!" which means "someone help!!"

Tsumaranai - boring; uninteresting; worthless

Urusai - noisy

More often used in anime as an exclamation meaning "shut up."

Uso - lie

When spit out as "Uso!" someone is accusing you of lying or being a liar. Or both. And just as a random tidbit, "uso wo tsuku" is "to tell a lie."

Yameru - stop; give up

More often seen as "yamete" or "yamero." "Yamete" is the informal way of saying "please stop," although when yelled out by a woman in peril, probably means "Damnit, stop you jerk!" "Yamero" is the imperative form. For those of you who never took grammar, it's a command telling you to stop.

Kanashii - sad; sorrowful

Usually in songs it's "kanashimi," which is "sadness."

Kawaii - cute

Usually squealed by school girls over some Sanrio product. Kawaii culture is very big in Japan, but that's another topic all together.

Kawaisou - pitiful; pathetic

Mostly non-condescending. If I had many finals, I would be very "kawaisou." I think it translates more into "oh you poor thing."

Koi - love

This is "love" with all the romantic and sexual implications. "Koi wo suru" is the verb form. "Koibito," a common form, means "lover," and can be used as a term of endearment. Literally, it translates into "love person."

Kokoro - heart; mind; spirit

Quatre has an "uchuu no kokoro," which translates into something like "heart/spirit of space/universe."

Kowai - scary; fearsome

I.e. "yikes!"

Mamoru - (to) protect

Very popular! Common theme in j-pop songs and shoujo manga.

Sabishii - lonely

Ohhh, poor baby.

Shinjiru - (to) believe

"I believe in you" would be "Anata wo shinjiru." It's also often heard as "shinjite," which is the informal way of saying "please believe" or "please have faith."

Subarashii - wonderful; splendid; excellent

The more all-around version of "sugoi" and "suteki."

Sugoi - amazing; terrible; wonderful

Said about something that is scarily wonderful, like someone's extremely high grades.

Suki - like

The oft-used declaration of love, especially in shoujo. "Suki nan desu" and "suki da" and "suki desu" are all variations.

Suteki - lovely; great; nifty (well, I added that)

Usually only girls use "suteki" to describe, among other things, cute guys.

Tsuyoi - strong

What your boyfriend most likely wants to be.

Yasashii - gentle

What you want your boyfriend to be.

Yume - dream (noun)

"Yume no naka ni" is "in (the speaker's) dreams." Very common, especially in Escaflowne.

Ara - sigh

Actually, more of an expression of surprise. My Japanese teachers (who are very cute) say it when they're startled. Oomoto-sensei said it was something like "Oh my goodness!" in English.

Daijoubu - safe; OK

Can be used as a question to ask if someone's ok, as a reply, as in "I'm ok" or "Everything's ok."

Dare - who

"Dareka" is somebody, "daredemo" with an affirmative verb is everybody, "daremo" with a negative verb is nobody.

Demo - but

Often used at the beginning of a sentence.

Doko - where

"Otearai wa doko desu ka" means "where is the bathroom?"

Eeto - um (more informal)

Another way to buy time while stuck in a conversation! This is more informal than "ano."

Ganbaru - (to) persist; (to) hold on

Often in the form "ganbatte kudasai," which is "please hang on," "ganbatte," the more casual form of "ganbatte kudasai." It actually means something like "go you" or "keep it up" kind of. Hard to translate in English. If I could only type Chiense...

Hayai - fast

More often seen as "hayaku," which turns it into an adverb. When "hayaku" is used by itself, it's usually as a command to get your feet moving.

Hontou - really; true

"Hontou ni" means "truly" or "really."

Ii - good

"Ii yo!" means "Good!" or kind of "yay!"

Ja - well; well then

Used when you're about to make a conclusion, unlike the noncommittal "saa."

Maa - well; just; oh!

Can also be an expression of annoyance.

Masaka - impossible

A fun exclamation amounting to "No way!"

Matsu - (to) wait

A common version is "chotto matte kudasai," or "please wait a little." This can be shortened to "chotto matte" or just "chotto" if you're feeling out of breath.

Mochiron - of course

A statement of confidence. "Are you good at math?" "Mochiron!"

Mou - already; again

Also can be used as an expression of annoyance.

Nani - what (informal)

"Nandesuka" is the more polite way to ask "what?"

Saa - well; well now

A reply used when you are hesitant of unsure. Duo likes this one.

Shikashi - but

Very similar to "demo." I suspect but do not know that "shikashi" is more informal than "demo."

Sorekara - after that; and then

Another useful conjunction.

Soshite - and; and then

More like "and." It strings sentences together willy-nilly (fun word!) while "sorekara" indicates a more logical progression.

Sou - so

"Sou sou sou" is used as an affirmative or to confirm something said. "Sou desu ne" means you're confirming something or just saying "um." "Sou desu ka" means a contemplation of new information, or "Is that so?"

Totemo - extremely; very

Used in front of adjectives. "Totemo yasashii" would be "very gentle."

Wakaru - (to) understand

Other forms: wakatta (past tense, informal); wakatte (informal version of please understand); wakarimashita (past tense, formal); wakarimasu (present tense, formal).

Jisatsu - suicide

Actually, I haven't heard this in anime, but I thought it'd fit for GWing. So many attempts of it in the series, after all...

Korosu - (to) kill

So "omae wo korosu" means "I'm going to kill you." This is a very fun phrase to slip into casual conversation. That is, if, like me and Teen, you don't mind people thinking you're a crazy idiot.

Ryoukai - comprehension; "roger"

The little grunted response given to orders.

Sekai - the world; the globe; the earth

This is opposed to the colonies.

Sensou - war; battle

Self-explanatory? See "Heiwa" and "Kakumei" to do a nifty Marimaia spiff. "Sensou, heiwa, kakumei" and then the Japanese gets too complex for me.

Shinu - (to) die

Happy thoughts... "Shinigami," then, is "death god." "Kami" is the usual term for "god."

Tatakau - (to) fight

The boys use this term a lot.

Teki - enemy

Remember Heero in Epyon going nuts? He saw a lot of these. Shinji in EVA is also quite fond of this word.

Uchuu - universe; space

I.e. the colonies. It's uchuu vs. sekai!

Doujinshi - fan-produced manga

Probably the closest analogy would be fanfiction, except in Japan, doujinshi is often sold for money. "Circles" are groups of artists who draw doujinshi (Clamp used to be a circle), and some doujinshi artists (like Clamp) grow popular enough to produce manga.

Jousei - lady's comics

The female equivalent to seinen manga, jousei manga are often racier than shoujo (scary thought! I've seen some pretty racy shoujo stuff...) and are aimed toward the office lady population.

Manga - comics

Like "anime," though manga refers to mostly any type of comics in Japan, in fandom, it usually means Japanese comic books.

Otaku - geek; fan; nerd

It doesn't just apply to anime/manga, but to anything. Normally, "otaku" has a negative connotation in Japanese; however, it seems to have a more neutral one in fandom. Online, people also brag a bit about being otaku, suggesting that it might be one of those otaku-pride/geek-pride things.

Seinen - young man

As a classification of manga or anime, seinen has a much more realistic bent than shounen. It's probably also more graphic. I haven't read many of these, if any at all. I'd guess that Sanctuary is an example of seinen manga.

Shoujo - young girl

Also used to classify anime and manga. Shoujo manga/anime is usually oriented toward younger or teenaged girls, with a typical emphasis on cuteness and sweet romances. However, it can encompass anything from the gothic horror of Angel Sanctuary and X to the adult issues in Mars to the humor in Hana Yori Dango. Probably the main difference is shoujo's emphasis on emotions and human relationships.

Shounen - young boy

Like shoujo, shounen is also used to classify anime and manga. Shounen anime/manga tends toward action and fights as opposed to the emotions of shoujo.

Yaoi - abbreviation for "yama-nashi, ochi-nashi, imi-nashi"

Basically, "no climax, no resolution, no meaning." Although it started out as an acronym describing "plot, what plot?" stories centered around male-male sex, it's evolved into a term that tends to cover the entire males with males genre online. "Shounen ai," literally "boy's love," is another way to refer to it, with the distinction being that yaoi focuses more on the sexual relationship while shounen ai focuses more on the emotional side. And being the purely apolitical people we are (haha), we will not go into the entire yaoi argument thing.

Yuri - not sure. Technically, something like "lily" or "tremor"

I actually don't know the real meaning behind this. Maybe it, like yaoi, is an acronym. Right now it's being used in the anime/manga fandom online as a genre of female-female relationships. I'm not sure if there's a term like "shoujo ai" specifying the graphicness of the portrayal.