Japanese

What Does Chou Mean in Japanese? 超 Meaning, Slang Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you watch anime, Japanese YouTube videos, or casual conversations, you may hear sentences such as: 超かわいい！ Chō kawaii! That is super cute! このゲーム、超面白い。 Kono gēmu, chō omoshiroi. This game is really fun. Learner I learned that 超 means “to exceed.” Why does it mean “super” in these sentences? Kodak That original meaning gives us the answer! 超 has the core image of “going beyond the normal limit.” In casual Japanese, it strengthens the following word and often means “very,” “really,” “super,” or “extremely.” In this article, you will learn: ① what 超 (chō / […]

Totemo vs Meccha: Difference Between とても and めっちゃ in Japanese

Hello, I’m Kodak. Japanese has several words that can translate as “very,” “really,” or “super.” Two expressions you will hear often are とても (totemo) and めっちゃ (meccha). このケーキはとてもおいしいです。 Kono kēki wa totemo oishii desu. This cake is very delicious. このケーキ、めっちゃおいしい！ Kono kēki, meccha oishii! This cake is so good! Learner Both sentences mean almost the same thing. Why should I learn two different words? Kodak Because the difference is not only how strong the feeling is. The biggest difference is tone and situation. とても is neutral and widely usable. めっちゃ is casual, lively, and emotionally expressive. Quick answer […]

What Does 調子はどう (Chōshi wa Dō) Mean? Usage, Replies & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. A Japanese friend looks at you and asks: 調子はどう？ Hiragana: ちょうしはどう Romaji: chōshi wa dō? Meaning: How are things? / How are you feeling? / How is it going? You may think the question is simply another way to say “How are you?”. But then you hear it in other situations: 仕事の調子はどう？ How is work going? 勉強の調子はどう？ How are your studies going? 足の調子はどう？ How is your leg feeling? 新しいパソコンの調子はどう？ How is the new computer working? Learner Does 調子はどう ask about my health, my progress, my performance, or whether a machine works? How can the […]

What Does Hazukashii Mean in Japanese? 恥ずかしい Meaning, Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. You make a mistake in front of everyone. Someone compliments you. You wear an outfit that attracts attention. You remember something foolish you did years ago. In all of these situations, a Japanese speaker may say: 恥ずかしい！ Hazukashii! I’m embarrassed! / This is embarrassing! That makes the word look simple—but English uses several different words for the feeling. 恥ずかしい (hazukashii) ⇒ embarrassed ⇒ ashamed ⇒ shy or self-conscious ⇒ bashful ⇒ embarrassing or shameful Learner Those English words are not the same. How can one Japanese word mean all of them? Kodak Because 恥ずかしい focuses […]

What Does Tennen Mean in Japanese? 天然・天然ボケ Meaning & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. You may already know that 天然 (tennen) literally means natural. 天然水 — natural water 天然ガス — natural gas 天然素材 — natural material 天然パーマ — naturally curly hair But then you hear someone say: あの子、天然だよね。 Ano ko, tennen da yo ne. That person is such a natural airhead, isn’t she/he? Learner How did “natural” become a word for someone’s personality? Kodak The personality meaning is shortened from 天然ボケ (tennen boke). It describes someone who says or does something unexpectedly funny or slightly off-target without planning the joke and often without realizing why other people are laughing. […]

What Does Yasashii Mean in Japanese? 優しい Meaning, Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. One of the first Japanese compliments many learners hear is: 優しいですね。 Yasashii desu ne. You are kind. At first, 優しい (yasashii) seems to be a simple translation of English kind. 優しい (yasashii) ⇒ kind ⇒ gentle ⇒ caring ⇒ considerate ⇒ soft or mild Learner I thought yasashii meant “easy.” Does it mean “kind” or “easy”? Kodak It can mean both—but the kanji is different. 優しい means kind, gentle, or considerate. 易しい means easy or simple. They sound exactly the same, so context tells you which meaning is intended. Quick answer 優しい (yasashii) describes […]

How Are You in Japanese? 15 Natural Phrases, Meanings & Replies

Hello, I’m Kodak. Many beginner textbooks teach the following expression as the Japanese equivalent of “How are you?”: お元気ですか？ O-genki desu ka? Are you well? / How have you been? It is correct—but it is not the only choice. Japanese speakers may also ask: 元気？ You doing well? 最近どう？ How have things been lately? 調子はどう？ How are you feeling? / How is it going? 体調はどう？ How is your physical condition? 具合はどう？ How are you feeling? / How is the affected part or problem? 大丈夫？ Are you okay? Learner Why are there so many ways to ask one […]

What Does Shindoi Mean in Japanese? しんどい Meaning, Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. You finish climbing a long staircase. Your legs feel heavy, your breathing is faster, and you want to sit down. A Japanese speaker may say: しんどい……。 Shindoi… This is exhausting. / I’m worn out. But then you hear the same word in completely different situations: 仕事がしんどい。 Work is tough. 風邪でしんどい。 I feel awful because of a cold. 人間関係がしんどい。 My relationships are emotionally draining. 推しが尊すぎてしんどい。 My favorite is so precious that I can’t handle it. Learner Does しんどい mean “tired,” “sick,” “difficult,” or “emotionally overwhelmed”? Those English translations seem very different. Kodak They are connected […]

How to Reply to お元気ですか (Ogenki Desu Ka): 30 Natural Answers

Hello, I’m Kodak. You have just met a Japanese teacher, former coworker, host family member, or friend after some time apart. They smile and ask: お元気ですか？ Hiragana: おげんきですか Romaji: o-genki desu ka? Meaning: Are you well? / How have you been? Learner I know the question means “How are you?”, but what should I actually say back? Is はい、元気です enough? Should I say お元気です? And how do I ask “and you?” Kodak The safest polite answer is: はい、おかげさまで元気です。〇〇さんはいかがですか？ “Yes, I’m doing well, thank you. How about you?” But your best reply changes depending on your condition, your relationship, […]

What Does Genki Mean in Japanese? 元気 Meaning, Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you have studied even a little Japanese, you have probably heard 元気 (genki). It appears in beginner textbooks, everyday conversations, anime, messages from friends, and common phrases such as 元気ですか？ (Genki desu ka?). Learner My textbook says 元気 means “healthy,” but subtitles sometimes translate it as “energetic,” “fine,” or even “cheerful.” Which meaning is correct? Kodak All of them can be correct! 元気 does not describe only physical health. Its core image is “the inner vitality that keeps your body and mind active”. That is why the best English translation changes with the situation. […]