Gen Z Japanese: Decode the Language of the New Era

Welcome to the linguistic revolution of Gen Z Japanese! This dynamic guide unveils the language shifts and innovative expressions that define communication among the new era. Journey through the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Japanese discourse, exploring how this evolving language mirrors the cultural pulse and connectivity of the younger generation.

Popular Slang

These are additional popular slang terms and expressions frequently used in casual or online conversations among younger Japanese speakers:

1. それな？ (Sorena?): To express agreement or acknowledgment, similar to saying “Exactly,” “Right?” or “Is that it?”
2. うける (Ukeru): It means “funny” or “hilarious.” It’s used to describe something that’s amusing or entertaining.
3. わろた (Warota): Derived from “笑った” (waratta), the past tense of “笑う” (warau, “to laugh”). Used to express that something was so funny that it made the speaker laugh.
4. 草 (Kusa):The usage of “草” (kusa, meaning “grass”) as an internet slang term for laughter or amusement in Japanese online culture has an interesting origin.In online forums or chat rooms, when someone finds something funny, they may type “ww” or “www” to represent laughter. This comes from the Japanese word for laughter, “笑う” (warau), pronounced like “wara-wara” or “wara” when repeated. Over time, this repetitive “wara” sound got shortened to “草” (kusa), which visually resembles grass.
5. ワンチャン (Wanchan): Short for “ワンチャンス” (wanchansu), expressing a possibility or chance, similar to “maybe” or “there’s a chance.”
6. 〜しか勝たん (〜 shika katan): 夏しか勝たん (Natsu shika katan) means “Only summer wins.” It implies that summer is the best or most enjoyable season.
7. あざっ (Aza): A casual abbreviation of “ありがとう” (arigatou), which means “thank you.” Used informally among friends.
8. まじで？ま？ガチで？ (Maji de? Ma? Gachide?): “まじで” (Maji de) means “really” or “seriously.” “ま?” (Ma?) is a shortened. “ガチで” (Gachi de) translates to “for real?” or “seriously?” in English. It’s derived from the word “ガチンコ” (gachinko), which means “serious” or “earnest.” 
9. りょ (Ryo): “りょ” is used as a part of the pronunciation for “了解” (りょうかい), which means “understanding” or “comprehension” in English.
10. やば！レベチ (Yaba! Rebechi): “やば（い）” (Yaba(i)) means “awesome,” “amazing,” or “incredible.” “レベチ” (Rebechi) is a slang term derived from “レベルが違う” (Reberu ga chigau), meaning “on a different level.”
11. あり (Ari): “あり” (Ari) means “sounds nice.”
12. つら (Tsura)・ぴえん (Pien): These express sadness or hardship. “つら” (Tsura) means “tough” or “difficult,” while “ぴえん” (Pien) represents a sad or distressed feeling. “つらい” is an I-adjective, but it’s commonly said as “つら” (tsura).”

I-Adjectives

1. やばい (Yabai): It can mean various things depending on the context. It’s often used to express that something is amazing, cool, dangerous, or intense. It’s a versatile slang term used to convey a strong emotion or situation.
2. エグい (Egui): This term is used to describe something extreme, intense, or hardcore. It can refer to something impressive, but it can also be used for something unpleasant or harsh.
3. エモい (Emoi): This term is derived from “emo,” short for emotional. It’s used to describe something as emotional, sentimental, or touching. It often refers to something that evokes strong emotions, typically in a positive or heartfelt way.
4. キモい (Kimoi): This is a slang term used to describe something as gross, disgusting, or creepy. It’s used to express discomfort or revulsion towards something unpleasant.
5. むずい (Muzui): It means “difficult” or “hard.” It’s often used in casual conversations to express that something is challenging or tough to deal with.