Updated May 12, 2024 by testing

I know why you’re here…You watched too much anime didn’t you!? And now you have a dream. A dream where you want to watch anime without subtitles. Hate to break it to you but every weeb already had that dream and let’s just say Duolingo doesn’t work that well. But never fear, my cutie otaku!

For I AM HERE! If you get that reference, I salute you, and no, not everything is a JoJo Reference. This time, I’m gonna give you some essential Weeb Words that every anime fan wants to learn. You might hear them in almost all of your favorite anime so it might be really familiar to you.

I’m also gonna add some Kanji, that way you can even write it. Just don’t go on the streets screaming some random Japanese words. Enough of that! Without further ado, I give to you the Commonly Used Words in Anime!

 

COMMONLY USED JAPANESE WORDS BY OTAKUS

 

1. Aite / 相手 (Opponent)

So what does every anime MC need? Yes, an enemy and that’s exactly what Aite means. Aite literally means opponent in English. If you want an example it’s like Goku and Frieza. Frieza is Goku’s Aite. And lastly, my Aite is Math. 

 

2. Akuma / 悪魔 (Demon)

This one is pretty easy too. What are the things that Tanjiro always fights? That’s right, Demons! So Akuma is Demon in English. You might get it confused with Oni but Oni means Ogre or something like that. So if your Aite is Math then your Math Teacher is the Akuma.

 

3. Arigatou / ありがとう(Thank You)

So what do you say to fate when you pass that test you didn’t study for? Yup, you gotta say Thank You! Now when you go to a ramen shop you can say your thanks properly. Just try as much as possible saying it with a Japanese accent. If not, you’ll become the Ramen.

 

4. Baka / バカ (Stupid)

This is probably a Tsundere’s favorite line! Trust me, I’ve watched a lot of Romance Anime and them saying Baka while blushing never stops to make my heart skip a beat. Don’t make that face, I’m a Tsundere kind of guy, now move on to the next word, Baka!

 

5. Bakemono / 化物 (Monster)

If Baka was what every Tsundere said, then Bakemono is what every enemy says after they see that the MC is overpowered. Bro, Anos Voldigoad is the very symbol of this word. Now, whenever your mom catches you stealing from her, you can just scream “Bakemono!” in a dramatic manner. It won’t get you out of trouble, but at least she’ll be confused while smacking you.

 

6. Chotto / ちょっと (A little)

CHOTTO MATTE! Now you know what Chotto means and I think you can figure out what Matte is in English. It’s just “Wait a little!”. So before your mom goes in for the kill with the slipper scream “CHOTTO MATTE!” so that she’ll get more confused.

 

7. Daijobu / 大丈夫 (Fine)

Not everything is Daijobu, my beautiful weebs. If everything was Daijobu then we would have flying cars. You know, my captions will get weirder as this blog goes on so if you’re fine then let’s go!

 

8. Daisuki / 大好き(I like you so much)

Ohohohoho, I know you know this! In every confession scene in anime you hear this word and now you can use it! When you want to confess to a Japanese person or a fellow weeb just say this in their face. And who knows they might say Baka! Okay, I won’t force my fantasies on you guys anymore.

 

9. Doujinshi / 同人誌 / (Self-Published Work)

Some of you might know this word from some rather interesting sources. But I purposely added this to make everything clear. Even though I am a man of culture, Doujinshi basically means self-made works. It can be manga, light novels, art and other things like that. So now we have clarity and not just look stupid saying this word.

 

10. Hikikomori / ひきこもり (NEET or Socially Withdrawn Person)

Okay, for one word it really has some long Kanji and translation. Basically, Hikikomori are all those Isekai MCs. From Kazuma in Konosuba to Rudeus in Mushoku Tensei, they are basically Hikikomori. To make it more clear, Hikikomori are people who shut themselves away from society.

 

11. Husbando / 夫 (Husband)

If you didn’t figure out what Husbando meant, I’m sorry you need to go back to primary school. If we guys have Waifus then girls gotta have some Husbandos. I clearly classify myself as a Husbando. Yes, I’m that confident!

 

12. Imouto / 妹 (Little Sister)

Don’t say this in front of their faces, they’ll just cringe at you. There is no such thing as those Little Sisters just like in anime. If you’re a little sister, I regret to inform you that no matter what, you’ll never be Imouto material. Just kidding, don’t kill me.

 

13. Itai / 痛い (Pain)

This is what they say in every horror anime and it really is dreadful to hear them screaming this word. Oooof, I’m getting PTSD just remembering some of those moments. Imagine, you screamed Chotto Matte and your mom smacked you and then just screamed Itai. That way you’ll directly be sent to a hospital. Or maybe an Asylum.

 

14. Josei / 女性 (Woman)

Josei just means Woman. It’s one genre in anime which is suited for Women above 18 years old. I must admit it sounds like a cool name for a daughter. Just remove the “i” at the end and then you’ll instantly become a Mexican man.

 

15. Kami-sama / 神様 (God)

Never forget to put the “sama” at the end. It’s all about the respect! Kami-sama means God in English and you might hear it in a few shows, especially if it has supernatural aspects.

 

16. Kawaii / かわいい (Cute)

Yes, my fellow men and women of culture! This is the word we have been searching for. Kawaii! The word that every weeb has ingrained into their memory since the beginning of time. EMBRACE ITS GLORY!

 

17. Kouhai / 後輩 (Junior)

Kouhai is basically the opposite of Senpai. Every senpai must have a cute Kouhai. Man, I wish I had a cute Kouhai, and if Kami-sama is gracious please let them be a Tsundere. Okay, I’m sorry. This time I’ll really stop.

 

18. Makaseru / 任せる (Entrust)

What does a good Senpai say when his Kouhai is entrouble? Yeah bro, if you wanna be cool then Makaseru is the right thing to say! It means “leave it to me” or “entrust”. That way you’ll surely get some points.

 

19. Megane / 眼鏡 (Glasses)

In the wise words of a great sage from the anime called Beyond the Boundary, Glasses makes everyone cuter! AND I COMPLETELY AGREE! A plus in cuteness, smartness, and the way they look at you. Call an ambulance because I might need to go to the hospital after you take my heart.

 

20. Minna / みんな (Everyone)

You might hear this a lot when there’s a scene with a group in it. Minna means everyone and there’s always that character in the group who always says this. They might be the leader or just sound cute saying this. Imagine Goku in a cute voice.

 

21. Moe / 萌え (Strong Feelings For A Fictional Character)

Yes, you don’t have to say it. This is Me and I am this word. I know you also have some Moe in you. Every weeb has this, it is our spirit.

 

22. Nakama / 仲間 (Fellow / Ally)

Luffy says this a lot and it’s a really beautiful word. Nakama! Imagine having your own Nakama who fights with you through thick and thin. All that’s left is to eat a devil fruit and eat 5 tons a day.

 

23. Nani / 何 (What)

Of course, everyone knows this word. You can’t call yourself a true weeb if you don’t. NANI????? I know you heard a voice while reading that. That’s when you know you’ve truly become one of us.

 

24. Ne / ね (Hey)

Imagine your waifu/husbando saying that to you. Oooof I think my heart’s about to explode. And you can also say this while you’re angry. Ne? Just means “Hey” by the way, nothing deep.

 

25. Oishii / おいしい (Delicious)

You know I consider myself a cook too. You hear Oishii a lot, especially when there’s food. Why? Because it means Delicious! You can use this to compliment a chef’s cooking, especially when you’re on a trip in Japan.

 

26. Omae wa Shindeiru / お前は死んでる(You Are Dead)

In the title it says WORD but why is there an entire phrase here? How could I not include this? One of the most iconic phrases in all of anime. It’s usually paired with Nani in the end and is the pinnacle of weeb lines!

 

27. Onee-chan / お姉ちゃんちゃん (Big Sister)

You might get confused with the other one but this means big sister. Onee-chan = sister and Onii-chan = brother. Hmmmm, should I just become a teacher after this?

 

28. Onegai / おねがい (Please)

Now we’re learning to be polite. It’s really important in Japanese Culture to be polite and this word will help you in a lot of circumstances. Just don’t use it randomly and say “Onegai Omae wa Shindeiru”.

 

29. Onii-chan / お兄ちゃん (Big Brother)

Who usually says this? You got that right! An Imouto. Imouto with Megane who says Onii-chan is not real. You’re dreaming! Get out of that Genjutsu my lovely weeb!

 

30. Otaku / オタク (Geek)

You know what this is. IT IS YOU!!!!!!

 

31. Ryoukai! / 了解！(Roger that!)

It’s not Youkai but Ryoukai. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up you can say it properly. Ryoukai just means “roger that”. It’s good to use if you wanna be snappy. But again, just don’t use it everywhere.

 

32. Seinen / 青年 (Youth)

Seinen is basically the counterpart of Josei. If Josei is for women above 18, then Seinen is for men. It’s also an anime, manga, and light novel genre that is made for men that age. Examples are Berserk, Vagabond, and Chainsaw Man.

 

33. Senpai / 先輩 (Upperclassman)

Remember that Senpai word in Kouhai? Well it just means upperclassman. Senpai are usually people a rank or year above you and it’s a good way to address them. You have to hear Iroha Isshiki say this word. Trust me, this is something you should watch NOW!

 

34. Shinigami / 死神 (Grim Reaper)

Ryuk from Death Note is one example of a Shinigami. They’re essentially Grim Reapers or Death Gods. If you encounter one in real life, you better pray it gives you a notebook with powers.

 

35. Shoujo / 少女 (Girl)

Shoujo is the light version of Josei. Shoujo means girl and is commonly used as a genre made for girls below 18. Shows just like Ouran Highschool Host Club is a great example of a Shoujo anime.

 

36. Shounen / 少年 (Boy)

If Seinen is the counterpart of Josei, the Shounen is Shoujo’s. A genre made for boys below the age of 18. My Hero Academia, One Piece, and Naruto are all Shounen anime.

 

37. Sugoi / すごい (Wow)

Sugoi has a lot of uses. It can be used as “very” but it’s commonly associated with the word “wow”. Now what’s the correct phrase to say now? You don’t know? It should be “Sugoi, Author-san!” MWAHAHAHAHA.

 

38. Sumimasen / すみません (Excuse Me)

This is another important word to use when you’re visiting Japan. For example you fart in the train, you’re not gonna say “Sugoi”, right? You just gotta say Sumimasen and hope you won’t die from embarrassment.

 

39. Tomodachi / 友達 (Friend)

What don’t you have? That’s right! TOMODACHI. I’m kidding, don’t sue me. Tomodachi basically means “Friend”. You might hear this in a lot of Slice of Life anime. But guess what? Slice of Life anime is nothing like real life.

 

40. Tsundere / ツンデレ (Someone who has a cold front but is actually soft inside)

YES MY FAVORITE WORD! Tsundere are mostly people who act like they have stone-cold hearts but are actually fluffy and nice on the inside. They’re the best waifus and you can’t change my mind. That is what exactly makes them cute. COME ON, FIGHT ME!

 

41. Ureshii / 嬉しい (Happy)

What do I feel after I finally wrote about Tsundere? Yes I feel this exact word, Ureshii. Ureshii means Happy and it’s a pretty nice word to say. You gotta prolong the ending a bit though to make people feel your energy. Ureshiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~

 

42. Urusai / うるさい (Shut Up)

This is what I would say to you if you say Tsunderes aren’t the best waifu. You must shut up! You have no say in this, your opinion doesn’t matter. You usually hear Urusai when characters are in an argument or a fight.

 

43. Uso / うそ (Lie)

Why doesn’t your opinion matter? Exactly, because it’s an Uso. Uso means Lie and you hear this when a character does something unbelievable or won’t accept the truth after an incident. It’s a really dramatic word most of the time.

 

44. Waifu / ワイフ (Wife)

Okay, I’m gonna break the 4th wall a bit (Not like I didn’t do it in the entire blog). Comment your favorite waifu and let’s have a debate on who’s the best one. Of course, the meaning is really easy. It means wife and is usually used when claiming a fictional character as best girl.

 

45. Weeb / ウィアブー (Someone’s who’s obsessed with Japanese Culture)

This is us. We are weebs. No excuses, accept who you are. Come my fellow weeb, let us bathe in the glory of anime!

 

46. Yabai / やばい (Bad / Terrible)

Characters usually say this when they’re in a pinch or in trouble. They would repeat it around 20 times in their mind before moving. Next time you’re in a bad situation just think of Yabai a lot and maybe someone will magically save you.

 

47. Yameru / 辞める (Stop)

Yameru means Stop in English. If a truck is about to hit you just scream Yameruuu!! Maybe you’ll get Isekai-d, who knows? I mean, I’ve never been hit by a truck.

 

48. Yandere / ヤンデレ (Someone who’s so in love they become crazy)

Guys, I’m good with Tsunderes. Yanderes are in a whole other league. These people will love you to the point they are so obsessed with you and kill anyone they get jealous with. I’m good at being punched by a Tsundere. I’ll give this one to you guys.

 

49. Yare Yare / やれ やれ (Good Grief)

This is what I was thinking when I thought about Yanderes. Yare Yare means Good Grief but surprisingly Yare Yare is much easier to remember than its English counterpart. This is me trying to think of more jokes.

 

50. Yatta! / やったー！(Hooray!)

This is literally me right now that the blog is about to end. Imagine writing about 50 Japanese words and thinking of jokes. I guess I am a joke. LIFE’S A JOKE! HOORAY!

 

51. Yokai / 妖怪 (Ghost / Spirit)

I might have gotten a bit crazy on that last word but now I’m back to my old self. Yokai means Ghost or Spirit and is a big part of Japanese Folklore. So if you’re into the paranormal then this is a pretty useful word for you!

 

CONCLUSION / 結論

See? I even added the Kanji for the conclusion! Praise me, peasant! 

With that in mind, these are all of the Common Words that every weeb should know! It’s not gonna help you watch anime without subtitles but at least you’ll know what the characters are saying even for a bit. That’s it from me, if you want more content like this let us know in the comments.

TSUNDERES BEST WAIFUUUUUUS!