We’ll introduce you to some popular Japanese slang expressions. Try using them in casual conversations or chats with your Japanese friends!
Just remember: slang is best suited for casual situations, so be careful when using these expressions in formal or professional settings.
This article covers Japanese slang from 2023. For newer expressions, check out our Japanese Slang Dictionary 2025.
Sympathy & Reactions
1. それな / わかる
[so re na / wa ka ru] ≒ Exactly / I know / I feel you
「それな」 is one of the most commonly used slang expressions among young people in Japan. It’s used when you strongly agree with what someone has just said.
「わかる」 literally means “I understand,” but in casual conversation, it can also mean “I know how you feel” or “I totally get it.”
A: 仕事行きたくないわ…
I don’t want to go to work…
B: それな〜 / わかる〜
I know, right? / I feel you.
2. まじ？ / がち？
[ma ji / ga chi] ≒ Seriously? / For real?
Both expressions are used when you’re surprised by something or find it hard to believe.
A slightly more neutral way to express the same reaction is 「ほんとに？」, meaning “Really?”
These expressions are often written in hiragana in casual messages.
A: 彼女にフラれちゃったよ…
I got dumped by my girlfriend…
B: え、がち？
Wait, seriously?
3. いいね / あり
[i i ne / a ri] ≒ Sounds good / I’m into it
「いいね」 means “Sounds good” or “Nice.” The “Like” button on social media is also called 「いいね」 in Japanese.
「あり」 is a casual way of saying that something is acceptable, appealing, or worth considering. Depending on the context, it can mean something like “I’m down for that” or “That’s definitely an option.”
A: 今週末お寿司食べに行かない？
Do you want to go out for sushi this weekend?
B: いいね！ / あり！
Sounds good! / I’m down!
Adverbs
1. めっちゃ / めちゃくちゃ / めちゃ
[me ccha / me cha ku cha / me cha] ≒ Very / Really / Super
「めっちゃ」 is an extremely common casual expression meaning “very” or “really.” Although it’s especially common among younger people, it’s widely used by people of different ages in casual conversation.
「めちゃ」 is a shortened form and is also frequently used in casual speech and online chats.
A: 見て！昨日かわいい服買ったんだ〜
Look! I bought some cute clothes yesterday.
B: めっちゃかわいい！
So cute!
2. かなり
[ka na ri] ≒ Quite / Pretty / Considerably
「かなり」 is similar to 「めっちゃ」 in that it emphasizes degree, but it sounds more neutral and can be used in a wider range of situations.
A: 彼が明日遅刻しないか心配だね…
I’m worried he might be late tomorrow…
B: かなり不安…
Yeah, I’m pretty worried…
3. わんちゃん
[wa n cha n] ≒ Maybe / There’s a chance
「わんちゃん」 comes from the English phrase “one chance.” In Japanese slang, it’s used when you think there is at least some possibility that something might happen.
It can be written in either hiragana or katakana.
A: 私たち終電に乗れるかな？
Do you think we can catch the last train?
B: わんちゃん乗れる！
Maybe! There’s still a chance!
Adjectives
1. えぐい
[e gu i] ≒ Insane / Brutal / Amazing
「えぐい」 can have both positive and negative meanings depending on the situation.
When used positively, it can express amazement, similar to “That’s insane!” or “That’s incredible!” When used negatively, it can describe something extreme, harsh, or shocking.
A: 大谷選手のサインもらったよ！！
I got Ohtani’s autograph!!
B: それはえぐい！
That’s insane!
2. よき
[yo ki] ≒ Good / Nice
「よき」 comes from an older form of Japanese related to 「良い」, meaning “good.”
Today, 「よき」 is also used casually, particularly online and among younger speakers, as a playful way of saying something is good or nice.
A: 先生へのプレゼントはネクタイでいいかな？
Do you think a tie would be a good present for our teacher?
B: よき。
Sounds good.
3. やばい
[ya ba i] ≒ Crazy / Amazing / Oh no
「やばい」 is one of the most versatile slang expressions in Japanese. It can have either a positive or negative meaning depending on the context and tone.
When something is surprisingly good, 「やばい」 can mean “Amazing!” or “That’s crazy!” When something goes wrong, it can mean “Oh no!” or “This is bad!”
A: ねえ！このバッグ半額だって！
Look! This bag is half price!
B: やば！
That’s crazy! [positive]
A: あ！宿題忘れた…
Oh no! I forgot my homework…
B: やば！
That’s bad! [negative]
4. エモい
[e mo i] ≒ Emotional / Nostalgic / Sentimental
「エモい」 comes from the English word “emotional” combined with the Japanese adjective ending 「い」.
It’s used to describe something that evokes a strong emotional, nostalgic, or sentimental feeling.
What kinds of things might feel 「エモい」?
- Visiting the elementary school you attended many years ago
- Watching the sunset over the sea
- Hearing a song that reminds you of a particular time in your life
Verbs
1. ググる
[gu gu ru] ≒ To Google / Google it
「ググる」 comes from Google (グーグル) combined with the Japanese verb ending 「る」. It simply means “to Google something.”
A: これ、なんていう花？
What kind of flower is this?
B: ググるわ。
I’ll Google it.
2. ディスる
[di su ru] ≒ To diss / To disrespect
「ディスる」 comes from the English word “disrespect” combined with the Japanese verb ending 「る」.
It’s used when someone insults, criticizes, or makes fun of another person.
A: 君の手料理は意外と美味しいね（笑）
Your cooking is surprisingly good!
B: ディスってる？
Are you dissing me?
3. ジワる
[ji wa ru] ≒ It gets funnier the more you think about it
「ジワる」 comes from 「じわじわ」, meaning “gradually” or “little by little.”
It’s often used when something doesn’t make you laugh immediately but becomes funnier the more you think about it.
A: 亀の散歩してるあの人、うちの上司じゃない？
Isn’t that person walking a turtle our boss?
B: え、ジワる
Wait… that gets funnier the more I think about it.
Nouns
1. パリピ
[pa ri pi] ≒ Party person / Partygoer
「パリピ」 is derived from the English phrase “party people” (パーリーピーポー).
It generally refers to someone who loves parties, clubs, festivals, or other lively social events. It can also be used playfully to describe someone with a flashy, outgoing lifestyle.
A: 俺、今日も明日もクラブ行くわ
I’m going clubbing today and tomorrow.
B: パリピじゃん
You’re such a party animal.
2. インスタ映え / 映え
[i n su ta ba e / ba e] ≒ Instagrammable / Photogenic
「インスタ映え」 combines 「インスタ」, short for Instagram (インスタグラム), and 「映え」, which refers to something looking especially attractive or impressive.
The shorter 「映え」 is also commonly used on its own.
A: このカフェすごくおしゃれだね！
This cafe is so stylish!
B: 「映え」だね
Totally Instagrammable.
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