Modern Japanese Slang Terms You'll Actually Use in 2026
Last updated: January 8, 2026
Are you planning a trip to Japan or studying Japanese and want to impress the locals with your language skills? Have you ever wanted to learn Japanese slang and casual expressions that aren't typically covered in textbooks? You're in the right place. I'm going to walk you through the slang terms that Japanese people are actually using right now in 2026, from everyday phrases you'll hear on the street to internet slang that dominates Twitter and TikTok.
What makes Japanese slang different
The Japanese language has multiple levels of formality built into its grammar. When you learn Japanese in a classroom, you're mostly learning polite forms. But slang throws a lot of that out the window.
Japanese slang words evolve incredibly fast, especially online slang. Terms that were popular five years ago might make you sound outdated now. Social media platforms like Twitter (X), TikTok, and LINE have accelerated how quickly new slang spreads among Japanese speakers.
One interesting thing about Japanese slang is how much of it comes from abbreviations, wordplay, and borrowed English words twisted into something new. You'll see this pattern throughout the terms I'm covering.
Essential everyday Japanese slang words
Let's start with the slang you'll hear constantly in casual conversations.
- Yabai (やばい) is probably the most versatile slang word in modern Japanese. Originally, it meant "dangerous" or "risky," but now it describes basically anything intense. Someone might say "yabai" about an incredibly delicious meal, a terrible situation, an attractive person, or an exciting event. The meaning depends entirely on context and tone. Is yabai a swear word? Not really. It's casual and you wouldn't use it in formal business settings, but it's completely acceptable among friends and in casual situations.
- Maji (マジ) means "seriously" or "really." You'll hear this constantly. "Maji de?" (マジで？) means "Seriously?" or "Really?" People use it to emphasize that something is true or to express surprise. "Maji yabai" combines both terms for "seriously crazy/intense/amazing."
- Uzai (うざい) describes something or someone annoying. It comes from "urusai" (うるさい) which means noisy or annoying, but uzai is the slang version. You might use it to describe a persistent mosquito, an obnoxious person, or spam emails.
- Dasai (ダサい) means uncool, lame, or unfashionable. This slang term is used to describe someone whose style is outdated or something that looks tacky. "Ano fuku dasai" means "Those clothes are lame."
- Kimoi (キモい) is short for "kimochi warui" () and means gross, creepy, or disgusting. It can be used to describe someone who gives you the creeps or something physically disgusting.
Japanese internet and text slang
Online communication has created its own ecosystem of Japanese slang. Can Japanese internet and text slang terms be offensive or inappropriate to use in certain situations? Absolutely. Just like in English, context matters a lot.
- Kusa () literally means "grass," but it's the Japanese equivalent of "LOL" or "lmao." Why grass? Because "wwwww" (the Japanese equivalent of typing "hahaha") looks like blades of grass. So people started just saying kusa instead. You'll see this all over Japanese Twitter and YouTube comments. Sometimes people even say "kusa haeru" () which literally means "grass is growing" but means "that's hilarious."
- Otsu () comes from "otsukaresama" (お疲れ様), a phrase meaning "good work" or "thanks for your effort." Online, people shortened it to just the kanji . It's used to thank someone or acknowledge their effort in a casual, quick way.
- Gachi (ガチ) means "serious" or "for real." It comes from "gachinko" (ガチンコ), which refers to a serious sumo wrestling match. When someone says "gachi de" (ガチで), they mean "I'm being completely serious." You might also hear "gachi koi" () which describes someone who's genuinely, seriously in love with an idol or celebrity (Not just a casual fan).
- Kusa fukahi () means "laughter unavoidable" or "can't help but laugh." It combines kusa with fukahi (Unavoidable) for emphasis. You'll see this in comments on funny videos.
- Orz or OTL represents a person kneeling down in defeat or disappointment. Look at it sideways: the O is the head, r or T is the arms and body, and z or L is the legs. This text-based emoticon crossed over from English internet culture but is widely used by Japanese speakers now.
Youth slang and gen z terms
Younger Japanese people have their own slang that older generations might scratch their heads at.
- Paripi (パリピ) comes from "party people" and describes someone who loves to party and have fun. It can also be used to describe the party scene itself. "Paripi na yatsu" means "that person is a party animal."
- Chiru (チル) comes from the English word "chill" and means to relax or hang out. "Chiru suru" means "to chill out." You might hear someone say they're going to chiru at a cafe or at home.
- Rii (リー) or Rikai () means "I understand" or "I get it." Young people often just say "rii" as a quick acknowledgment in texts.
- Emo (エモ) comes from "emotional" and describes something that hits you in the feelings. It's used for nostalgic moments, touching scenes in anime, or aesthetically pleasing things that evoke emotion. "Emo sugiru" means "too emotional" or "this hits different."
Buzzwords and recent trends in 2025
Every year, Japan nominates buzzwords that captured the cultural moment. Here are some terms that have been trending recently.
- Egumi (エグみ) literally refers to a harsh or bitter taste, but as slang it describes something intense, extreme, or overwhelming. "Egui" (エグい) is the adjective form. You might use it to describe an incredibly difficult video game boss or an intense work schedule.
- Otetsutabi (おてつたび) combines "otetsu" (Helping hand) and "tabi" (Travel). It refers to a style of travel where you help out at local businesses or farms in exchange for accommodation. This trend has grown popular among young Japanese people looking for authentic experiences.
- Ehoeho (エッホエッホ) mimics the sound of rhythmic effort or working hard. It became a buzzword through social media and represents the sound of putting in work or grinding.
Slang from anime and pop culture
Anime has influenced Japanese slang tremendously, and vice versa. If you watch anime, you've probably heard some of these already.
- Sugoi (すごい) technically isn't slang since it's a standard word meaning "amazing" or "incredible," but the way it's used casually as an exclamation is worth noting. "Sugoi!" by itself is like saying "Wow!" or "That's awesome!"
- Kawaii () means "cute" and while it's a standard Japanese word, the way it's used in youth culture and online goes beyond just describing cute things. Everything from fashion styles to behavior to food gets called kawaii.
- Suki () means "like" or "love." You'll hear this constantly in casual speech. "Suki da" means "I like it/you." The slang usage comes from how casually young people throw it around compared to more formal expressions of affection.
- Nani () just means "what," but the way it's used as an exclamation in anime has made it recognizable even to non-Japanese speakers. "Nani?!" expresses shock or confusion.
Regional slang and dialects
While standard Tokyo Japanese dominates media and education, regional slang adds flavor to the language.
- Akan (あかん) is Kansai dialect (Osaka, Kyoto area) for "no good" or "not allowed." In standard Japanese, you'd say "dame" (だめ), but akan is the Kansai version. You'll hear this in comedy shows since many comedians come from the Kansai region.
- Meccha (めっちゃ)** also comes from Kansai dialect and means "very" or "extremely." It's spread beyond the region and you'll hear it used throughout Japan now. "Meccha oishii" means "super delicious."
- Chau (ちゃう)** is another Kansai term meaning "different" or "wrong." In standard Japanese, you'd say "chigau" ().
English slang used in Japanese
Japanese has borrowed tons of English words, but they often get used in unexpected ways.
- Tension (テンション) in Japanese doesn't mean stress or nervousness like in English. It means excitement or energy level. "Tension takai" () means someone has high energy or is excited.
- Cunning (カンニング) in Japanese specifically means cheating on a test, while in English it just means clever or sly.
- Claim (クレーム) means complaint in Japanese, not a statement of ownership like in English.
- Naisu (ナイス) comes from "nice" and is used to say "good job" or "well done." You'll hear this constantly in sports and gaming contexts.
These false friends can trip you up, so pay attention to how English words get repurposed in Japanese slang.
Learning Japanese slang effectively
If you want to learn Japanese slang and use it naturally, you need exposure to how real Japanese speakers actually talk. Reading manga, watching Japanese YouTubers, following Japanese Twitter accounts, and listening to casual conversations in Japanese shows will teach you way more than any textbook.
Pay attention to context. The same slang word can be friendly in one situation and rude in another. Notice who uses which terms and when.
Start with the safer, more common terms like yabai, maji, and sugoi before experimenting with edgier slang. As you get more comfortable with Japanese culture and the language, you'll develop a better sense of what's appropriate.
One thing I'd recommend is actually keeping a slang journal. When you encounter a new slang term, write down where you saw it, how it was used, and what it seemed to mean. Over time, you'll start seeing patterns and understanding the nuances.
Also, remember that slang evolves constantly. What's trendy in 2025 might sound outdated by 2026. Following Japanese social media and staying connected to Japanese pop culture helps you keep up with these changes.
Anyway, if you want to actually use these terms while consuming real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up slang and vocabulary instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles. Makes learning from authentic content way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.
Slangs are cool, but don't overuse them!
Learning slang should complement your regular Japanese studies. You still need proper grammar, formal language for professional situations, and a solid vocabulary foundation. Use these slang terms when appropriate, but don't force them. Native speakers can tell when someone's trying too hard to sound casual. Let slang enter your speech naturally as you become more comfortable with the Japanese language overall. If you're not sure about its usage, try to learn more about the context by consuming more media.
If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period.
Slangs are cool, but try to prioritize appropriateness!