250+ Anime Words and Phrases to Speak Like a True Aficionado
The language learning community is divisive on whether you can learn Japanese from anime. On one hand it’s an incredibly fun and versatile medium, with tons of options for everyone, and on the other, it uses many stylized forms of conversation, so you risk not learning “real” Japanese like you’d hear on the streets.
Whatever you think about this issue, there’s no doubt that anime has some very fun turns of speech. Whether you’re looking to learn Japanese through anime, or you want to be able to watch Japanese anime without subtitles, this post has you covered.
Contents
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Anime Genre Names
From a space-adventuring superhero fighter to the wholesome relationship between a boy and the tiny girl who’s replaced his hand, there’s an anime out there for you. Whether you like romance, adventure, horror or something else entirely, here are some of the most common Japanese anime genres, and how to say them in Japanese:
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| アクション | あくしょん | Akushon | Action |
| ビーエル | びーえる | Biieru | BL (Boys' Love) |
| コメディ | こめでぃ | Komedii | Comedy |
| 現代 | げんだい | Gendai | Contemporary/Modern |
| サイバーパンク | さいばーぱんく | Saibaa Panku | Cyberpunk |
| ダークファンタジー | だーくふぁんたじー | Daaku Fantajii | Dark Fantasy |
| ドラマ | どらま | Dorama | Drama |
| エッチ | えっち | Ecchi | Ecchi (Suggestive Content) |
| 空想 | くうそう | Kuusou | Fantasy |
| ギャグ | ぎゃぐ | Gyagu | Gag/Comedy |
| グロ | ぐろ | Guro | Gore |
| ハーレム | はーれむ | Haaremu | Harem |
| 変態 | へんたい | Hentai | Hentai (Pervert/Adult) |
| 歴史 | れきし | Rekishi | Historical |
| ホラー | ほらー | Horaa | Horror |
| 異世界 | いせかい | Isekai | Isekai (Otherworld) |
| 時代物 | じだいもの | Jidaimono | Jidaimono (Period Drama) |
| 女性 | じょせい | Josei | Josei (Young Woman) |
| 子供向け | こどもむけ | Kodomomuke | Kodomomuke (Child-Oriented) |
| 魔法 | まほう | Mahou | Magic |
| メカ | めか | Mecha | Machines/Robots |
| ミステリー | みすてりー | Misuterii | Mystery |
| サイコロジカル | さいころじかる | Saikorojikaru | Psychological |
| ロマンス | ろまんす | Romansu | Romance |
| SF | えすえふ | Esu Efu | Science Fiction |
| 青年 | せいねん | Seinen | Seinen (Young Man) |
| 青春 | せいしゅん | Seishun | Seishun (Youth) |
| 少女 | しょうじょ | Shoujo | Shoujo (Young Girl) |
| 少年 | しょうねん | Shounen | Shounen (Young Boy) |
| スライスオブライフ | すらいすおぶらいふ | Suraisu Obu Raifu | Slice of Life |
| 宇宙 | うちゅう | Uchuu | Space |
| スペースオペラ | すぺーすおぺら | Supeesu Opera | Space Opera |
| スポーツ | すぽーつ | Supootsu | Sports |
| スチームパンク | すちーむぱんく | Suchiimu Panku | Steampunk |
| 超自然 | ちょうしぜん | Chou Shizen | Supernatural |
| サスペンス | さすぺんす | Sasupensu | Suspense |
| スリラー | すりらー | Suriraa | Thriller |
Honorifics and Titles
Reader-chan, if you watch anime, you’ll soon become very well-versed in honorifics and special titles of status. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll hear:
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ちゃん | ちゃん | Chan | Used for girls / Younger female |
| へいし | へいし | Heisha | Soldier / Military personnel |
| こうはい | こうはい | Kouhai | Junior (referring to someone younger or less experienced) |
| くん | くん | Kun | Used for boys / Younger male |
| 牧師 | ぼくし | Kyoukai | Reverend / Minister |
| 様 | さま | Sama | Honorable (used to show respect to someone of higher status) |
| さん | さん | San | Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. |
| 先輩 | せんぱい | Senpai | Senior (referring to someone older or more experienced) |
| 師匠 | ししょう | Shishou | Master / Mentor |
| たん | たん | Tan | Affectionate suffix (used for cute characters or by close friends) |
| 店長 | てんちょう | Tenchou | Store Manager / Shopkeeper |
Pronoun Use in Anime
Japanese pronouns have some unique qualities that set them apart from English. The way you refer to yourself and others can have layers of complexities that you might not expect. Here are important ones to note:
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| あなた | あなた | Anata | Commonly used for "you" when addressing someone of equal or lower status, or for someone you don't know well. |
| お前 | おまえ | Omae | Informal and can be rude, used when addressing someone of equal or lower status, often used between friends or rivals. |
| あんた | あんた | Anta | Casual and familiar form of "you", used between close friends or people with a strong bond. |
| おたく | おたく | Otaku | Referring to someone else as an "otaku" can be playful or teasing, but it can also be impolite or offensive depending on the context. |
| 僕 | ぼく | Boku | Used by boys and young men, humble and polite way to say "I". |
| 俺 | おれ | Ore | Used by boys and men, more assertive and less formal way to say "I". |
| 私 | わたし | Watashi | Neutral and polite way to say "I", used by both males and females, appropriate in formal or casual situations. |
| アタシ | あたし | Atashi | Feminine way to say "I," mostly used by females and feminine males. |
| 私 | わたくし | Watakushi | A formal and haughty way to say "I," implying a certain level of distance or superiority. |
| 姉 | あね | Ane | Older sister" pronoun, used by girls and young women when referring to their own older sisters. |
| 兄 | あに | Ani | Older brother" pronoun, used by boys and young men when referring to their own older brothers. |
| 妹 | いもうと | Imouto | Younger sister" pronoun, used by boys and young men when referring to their own younger sisters. |
| 弟 | おとうと | Otouto | Younger brother" pronoun, used by girls and young women when referring to their own younger brothers. |
| 彼 | かれ | Kare | He" or "boyfriend" pronoun, used to refer to someone's boyfriend or a male third-person pronoun. |
| 彼女 | かのじょ | Kanojo | She" or "girlfriend" pronoun, used to refer to someone's girlfriend or a female third-person pronoun. |
| 彼ら | かれら | Karera | They" pronoun, used to refer to a group of males or a mixed-gender group. |
| 彼女たち | かのじょたち | Kanojo-tachi | They" pronoun, used to refer to a group of females. |
| みんな | みんな | Minna | Everyone" or "you all" pronoun, used to address a group of people in a casual and friendly way. |
| 皆さん | みなさん | Minasan | Everyone" or "ladies and gentlemen" pronoun, used to address a group of people in a polite and respectful way. |
Character Type Terms
A dere is a character archetype, describing a character that exhibits contrasting emotions or behavior. So what’s a tsundere? Find out below, along with a number of other character types it would be wise to know before you fall head-over-heels with that sweet-seeming yandere.
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| クーデレ | くーでれ | Kuudere | Character who is at first cool and unapproachable, but later as he gets to know you well enough, becomes lovey-dovey |
| デレデレ | でれでれ | Deredere | Character who is constantly lovey-dovey and affectionate |
| ダンデレ | だんでれ | Dandere | Character who is dandy and reserved but lovey-dovey to only certain people reserved |
| オタク | おたく | Otaku | Obsessive fan/geek |
| バカ | ばか | Baka | Fool |
| 美少女 | びしょうじょ | Bishoujo | Beautiful young girl |
| 美少年 | びしょうねん | Bishounen | Beautiful young boy |
| キャラクター | きゃらくたー | Kyarakutaa | Character |
| ヒロイン | ひろいん | Hiroin | Heroine |
| ヒーロー | ひーろー | Hiirou | Hero |
| 悪役 | あくやく | Akuyaku | Villain |
| 腐女子 | ふじょし | Fujoshi | Female fan of boys' love |
| 腐男子 | ふだんし | Fudanshi | Male fan of boys' love |
| シリアス | しりあす | Shiriasu | Serious (character or tone) |
| コメディ | こめでぃ | Komedii | Comedy (genre or character type) |
| ロリ | ろり | Rori | Lolita (young-looking character) |
| ショタ | しょた | Shota | Shota (young-looking boy character) |
| バトル | ばとる | Batoru | Battle (genre or character type) |
| 学生 | がくせい | Gakusei | Student |
| 先輩 | せんぱい | Senpai | Senior (referring to someone older or more experienced) |
| 後輩 | こうはい | Kouhai | Junior (referring to someone younger or less experienced) |
| オネエ | おねえ | Onee | Effeminate male character |
| お嬢様 | おじょうさま | Ojousama | Rich, refined young lady |
| ツッコミ | つっこみ | Tsukkomi | Straight man in a comedy duo |
| ボケ | ぼけ | Boke | Funny man in a comedy duo |
Common Anime Words and Phrases
These are words and phrases you’ll almost definitely hear while watching anime!
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 仇 | あだ | Ada | Enemy / Rival |
| 愛 | あい | Ai | Love |
| 愛してる | あいしてる | Aishiteru | I love you |
| あなたを信じてる | あなたをしんじてる | Anata o shinjiteru | I believe in you |
| アラアラ | あらあら | Ara ara | (Feminine expression of mild scolding or surprise) |
| あれ？ | あれ？ | Are? | Huh? |
| ありがとう | ありがとう | Arigatou | Thank you |
| ありがとう、助かった | ありがとう、たすかった | Arigatou, tasukatta | Thank you, you saved me |
| びっくり | びっくり | Bikkuri | Surprise |
| 力 | ちから | Chikara | Power / Strength |
| 力を解放する | ちからをかいほうする | Chikara o kaihou suru | Releasing my power |
| 大丈夫 | だいじょうぶ | Daijoubu | It's okay |
| 大好き | だいすき | Daisuki | I like it very much |
| だからさ | だからさ | Dakara sa | That's why |
| だめだめ | だめだめ | Dame dame | No way |
| どういたしまして | どういたしまして | Dou itashimashite | You're welcome |
| どういう意味？ | どういういみ？ | Dou iu imi? | What does that mean? |
| どうしたの？ | どうしたの？ | Doushita no? | What's wrong? |
| どうぞ | どうぞ | Douzo | Here you go/Please |
| どうぞお大事に | どうぞおだいじに | Douzo odaiji ni | Take care of yourself |
| えっ | えっ | E | Huh |
| ええと、実は… | ええと、じつは... | Eeto, jitsu wa | Um, actually... |
| 二人で頑張ろう | ふたりでがんばろう | Futari de ganbarou | Let's do our best together |
| がんばれ | がんばれ | Ganbare | Hang in there/Do your best |
| 頑張って | がんばって | Ganbatte | Do your best |
| ごちそうさま | ごちそうさま | Gochisousama | Thanks for the meal |
| ごめんなさい | ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | I'm sorry |
| はい | はい | Hai | Yes |
| はい、分かりました | はい、わかりました | Hai, wakarimashita | Yes, I understand |
| 本当に？ | ほんとうに？ | Hontou ni? | Really? |
| いいえ | いいえ | Iie | No |
| いいえ、何でもありません | いいえ、なんでもありません | Iie, nandemo arimasen | No, it's nothing |
| いただきます | いただきます | Itadakimasu | Let's eat (before a meal) |
| 行ってきます | いってきます | Ittekimasu | I'm off/See you later (when leaving) |
| 行ってらっしゃい | いってらっしゃい | Itterasshai | Take care (when someone leaves) |
| かっこいい | かっこいい | Kakkoii | Cool |
| 乾杯 | かんぱい | Kanpai | Cheers |
| 勝った | かった | Katta | I won |
| かわいい | かわいい | Kawaii | Cute |
| かわいいですね | かわいいですね | Kawaii desu ne | It's cute, isn't it? |
| 気をつけて | きをつけて | Ki o tsukete | Stay well |
| 希望 | きぼう | Kibou | Hope |
| 希望を捨てない | きぼうをすてない | Kibou o sutena | I won't give up hope |
| 嫌い | きらい | Kirai | Hate |
| 綺麗 | きれい | Kirei | Beautiful |
| きっと大丈夫 | きっとだいじょうぶ | Kitto daijoubu | It'll be alright |
| こんにちは | こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello/Good afternoon |
| これでおしまい | これでおしまい | Kore de oshimai | That's the end |
| これからよろしく | これからよろしく | Kore kara yoroshiku | I'm counting on you from now on |
| きゃー！ | きゃー！ | Kyaa! | Eek! (Squeal) |
| まあまあ | まあまあ | Maa maa | It's okay |
| 負けた | まけた | Maketa | I lost |
| また会いましょう | またあいましょう | Mata aimashou | Let's meet again |
| また明日 | またあした | Mata ashita | See you tomorrow |
| もう我慢できない | もうがまんできない | Mou gaman dekinai | I can't take it anymore |
| 仲間 | なかま | Nakama | Close friend |
| 何ですか？ | なんですか？ | Nan desu ka? | What is it? |
| 何だろう | なんだろう | Nandarou | I wonder what it is |
| 何で？ | なんで？ | Nande? | Why? |
| 何でもないよ | なんでもないよ | Nandemo nai yo | It's nothing |
| 何これ？ | なにこれ？ | Nani kore? | What's this? |
| なるほど | なるほど | Naruhodo | I see |
| おばあちゃん | おばあちゃん | Obaachan | Grandma |
| おばあさん | おばあさん | Obaasan | Grandmother |
| お坊っちゃま | おぼっちゃま | Obocchama | Young master |
| お大事に | おだいじに | Odaiji ni | Get well soon |
| お元気で | おげんきで | Ogenki de | Take care |
| おはよう | おはよう | Ohayou | Good morning |
| お姫様 | おひめさま | Ohimesama | Princess |
| お祝い | おいわい | Oiwai | Celebration |
| お邪魔します | おじゃまします | Ojama shimasu | Excuse me for disturbing |
| おじいちゃん | おじいちゃん | Ojiichan | Grandpa |
| おじいさん | おじいさん | Ojiisan | Grandfather |
| お嬢様 | おじょうさま | Ojousama | Young lady/Miss |
| おかえりなさい | おかえりなさい | Okaerinasai | Welcome back |
| おめでとう | おめでとう | Omedetou | Congratulations |
| おもしろい | おもしろい | Omoshiroi | Funny/Interesting |
| お姉ちゃん | おねえちゃん | Oneechan | (Familiar) Older sister |
| お姉さん | おねえさん | Oneesan | (Respectful) Older sister |
| お願い | おねがい | Onegai | Please |
| お願いだから | おねがいだから | Onegai dakara | Please, I'm begging you |
| お願いします | おねがいします | Onegaishimasu | Please/Do me a favor |
| お兄ちゃん | おにいちゃん | Oniichan | (Familiar) Older brother |
| お兄さん | おにいさん | Oniisan | (Respectful) Older brother |
| お誕生日おめでとう | おたんじょうびおめでとう | Otanjoubi omedetou | Happy birthday |
| お楽しみ | おたのしみ | Otanoshimi | Looking forward to it |
| お手伝いいたしましょう | おてつだいいたしましょう | Otetsudai itashimashou | Let me help you |
| お疲れ様 | おつかれさま | Otsukaresama | Thank you for your hard work |
| おっと | おっと | Otto | Oops |
| おやすみ | おやすみ | Oyasumi | Good night |
| さようなら | さようなら | Sayounara | Goodbye |
| 戦士 | せんし | Senshi | Warrior |
| 戦友 | せんゆう | Senyuu | Battle companion |
| 勝利 | しょうり | Shouri | Victory |
| それは違う | それはちがう | Sore wa chigau | That's not right |
| それじゃあ、行ってきます | それじゃあ、いってきます | Sorejaa, itte kimasu | Well then, I'm off (when leaving) |
| すごい | すごい | Sugoi | Amazing |
| すごくかっこいい | すごくかっこいい | Sugoku kakkoii | Really cool |
| すごく楽しかった | すごくたのしかった | Sugoku tanoshikatta | It was really fun |
| すみません | すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me |
| ただいま | ただいま | Tadaima | I'm back |
| 戦い | たたかい | Tatakai | Battle |
| 敵 | てき | Teki | Enemy |
| 友達 | ともだち | Tomodachi | Friend |
| 友達を守る | ともだちをまもる | Tomodachi o mamoru | Protecting my friends |
| とっても嬉しい | とってもうれしい | Tottemo ureshii | I'm very happy |
| 闘志 | とうし | Toushi | Fighting spirit |
| うん、分かった | うん、わかった | Un, wakatta | Yes, understood |
| うるさい | うるさい | Urusai | Annoying |
| うるさいですね | うるさいですね | Urusai desu ne | It's annoying, isn't it? |
| 嘘でしょ | うそでしょ | Uso desho | You must be kidding |
| うわー！ | うわー！ | Uwaa! | Wow! |
| わあ、すごい！ | わあ、すごい！ | Waa, sugoi! | Wow, amazing! |
| わーい、楽しい！ | わーい、たのしい！ | Waai, tanoshii! | Yay, it's fun! |
| わーい！ | わーい！ | Waai! | Hooray! |
| 分かりません | わかりません | Wakarimasen | I don't understand |
| 分かります | わかります | Wakarimasu | I understand |
| 分かった | わかった | Wakatta | I got it |
| やったー！ | やったー！ | Yattaa! | Hooray! |
| よかった | よかった | Yokatta | I'm glad |
| よくやった | よくやった | Yoku yatta | Well done |
| よろしくお願いします | よろしくおねがいします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Nice to meet you |
| 夢 | ゆめ | Yume | Dream |
| 勇気 | ゆうき | Yuuki | Courage |
| 勇者 | ゆうしゃ | Yuusha | Hero |
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Famous Anime Catchphrases
Who said that line? These often meme-d anime catchphrases pop up on the internet pretty often. You might be familiar with them even if you’ve never watched an anime!
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation | Anime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| キルしてやる | きるしてやる | Kiru shite yaru | I'll kill you! | "Black Lagoon" |
| オレはここだ | おれはここだ | Ore wa koko da | I am right here. | "One Punch Man" |
| 私が正義だ！ | わたしがせいぎだ！ | Watashi ga seigi da! | I am justice! | "Kill la Kill" |
| かめはめ波！ | かめはめは！ | Kamehameha! | (Special attack name) | "Dragon Ball" series |
| お前はもう死んでいる | おまえはもうしんでいる | Omae wa mou shindeiru | You are already dead. | "Fist of the North Star" |
| だが断る | だがことわる | Daga kotowaru | But I refuse. | "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" |
| 燃えよ、燃えよー！ | もえよ、もえよー！ | Moe yo, moe yo! | Burn, baby, burn! | "Attack on Titan" |
| オラオラオラオラ！ | おらおらおらおら！ | Ora ora ora ora! | Hey hey hey hey! | "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" |
| だってばよ！ | だってばよ！ | Dattebayo! | Believe it! | "Naruto" |
| アハハ、何てこった | あはは、なんてこった | Ahaha, nante kotta | LOL, what a mess | "Gurren Lagann" |
| ゴミくず野郎 | ごみくずやろう | Gomikuzu yarou | You piece of trash | "Naruto" |
| ワクワク | わくわく | waku-waku | (Expression of excitement) | "Spy x Family" |
| 信じてよ | しんじてよ | Shinjite yo | Believe in me | "Neon Genesis Evangelion" |
Anime Battle Cries
Get into the fighting spirit as you learn these anime battle cries. Rah!
| Japanese (with audio) | Furigana | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ばかやろう！ | ばかやろう！ | Baka yarou! | You fool! |
| 必殺技！ | ひっさつわざ！ | Hissatsu waza! | Special move! |
| いざ、勝負！ | いざ、しょうぶ！ | Iza, shoubu! | Now, the battle begins! |
| 覚悟しろ！ | かくごしろ！ | Kakugo shiro! | Prepare yourself! |
| 勝つんだ！ | かつんだ！ | Katsunda! | Win! |
| 斬る！ | きる！ | Kiru! | Slash! |
| 負ける気がしねぇ！ | まけるきがしねぇ！ | Makeru ki ga shinee! | I don't feel like losing! |
| 未来を守るため！ | みらいをまもるため！ | Mirai o mamoru tame! | To protect the future! |
| 見せてやる！ | みせてやる！ | Misete yaru! | I'll show you! |
| 仲間を守る！ | なかまをまもる！ | Nakama o mamoru! | I'll protect my friends! |
| 逃がさない！ | にがさない！ | Nigasanai! | I won't let you escape! |
| 俺の勝ちだ！ | おれのかちだ！ | Ore no kachi da! | I won! |
| さあ、やるぞ！ | さあ、やるぞ！ | Saa, yaruzo! | Come on, let's do it! |
| それでも俺は… | それでもおれは… | Sore demo ore wa... | Even so, I... |
| 戦え！ | たたかえ！ | Tatakae! | Fight! |
| 突撃 だー！！ | とつげきだー！！ | Totsugeki daa!! | Charge!! |
| 闘志を燃やす！ | とうしをもやす！ | Toushi o moyasu! | Ignite the fighting spirit! |
| 絶対に許さない！ | ぜったいにゆるさない！ | Zettai ni yurusanai! | I will never forgive! |
Whether you’re a seasoned otaku or just starting your anime journey, these anime words and phrases will unlock a deeper understanding of the fun and sometimes insane world of anime Japanese.
And One More Thing...
If you love learning Japanese with authentic materials, then I should also tell you more about FluentU.
FluentU naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. You'll learn real Japanese as it's spoken in real life.
FluentU has a broad range of contemporary videos as you'll see below:
FluentU makes these native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts. Tap on any word to look it up instantly.
All definitions have multiple examples, and they're written for Japanese learners like you. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.
And FluentU has a learn mode which turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples.
The best part? FluentU keeps track of your vocabulary, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You'll have a 100% personalized experience.
Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
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