Japanese slang quiz
Want to sound like a local? Let’s see if you know this essential Japanese slang (not found in your textbook).
Ten words you’ll hear in Tokyo izakaya, on LINE and in every group chat in Japan. Each one comes in a real sentence. Pick what it means.
10 slang wordsbeginner to advancedabout 2 minutesno sign-up
このラーメン、ヤバい！
What does it mean here? Tap an answer to start.
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Free pack
The Japanese slang pack
22 words locals really say and textbooks leave out. Each card comes with audio, an example and when it’s safe to say.
- 22 cards
- Beginner to advanced
Free · no card
What’s inside
22 words
- ヤバいyabaiMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- マジでmaji deMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- ウケるukeruMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- エモいemoiMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- ガチgachiMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- ドタキャンdotakyanMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- 推しoshiMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- 詰んだtsundaMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- 陰キャinkyaMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- 映えるbaeruMeaning hidden until you get the pack
Japanese slang quiz
The 10 slang words in this quiz
Here’s what each one means in Japan, with the sentence it came in.
ヤバいyabai
BeginnerInsane, crazy (good or bad)
このラーメン、ヤバい！ This ramen is insanely good!
With friendsマジでmaji de
BeginnerSeriously? For real?
マジで？明日休みなの？ Seriously? You’re off tomorrow?
With friendsウケるukeru
BeginnerHilarious
それ、ウケる！ Ha, that’s hilarious!
With friendsエモいemoi
IntermediateMoving, nostalgic in a good way
この曲、エモいね。 This song really gets to me.
With friendsガチgachi
IntermediateDead serious, full on
彼、ガチで怒ってた。 He was seriously angry.
With friendsドタキャンdotakyan
IntermediateA last-minute cancellation
友達にドタキャンされた。 My friend cancelled on me at the last minute.
With friends推しoshi
IntermediateYour favourite (idol, character, member)
私の推しはこのメンバー。 This member is my favourite.
With friends詰んだtsunda
AdvancedDone for, no way out
財布忘れた、詰んだ。 I forgot my wallet. I’m done for.
With friends陰キャinkya
AdvancedThe quiet, introverted type
私、陰キャだからパーティーは苦手。 I’m the quiet type, so parties aren’t my thing.
With friends映えるbaeru
AdvancedTo look great in photos, Instagrammable
このカフェ、めっちゃ映える。 This café looks amazing in photos.
With friends
Questions
Is this slang still used?
Yes. Every word here is in everyday use, and each answer says where it’s safe: fine at work, with friends, or best avoided. A few sound younger than others, and the answer tells you which.
Why does the quiz show a sentence?
Slang changes meaning with context, so each word comes in a real sentence. Pick the translation that fits. The first three are common, the last three need more of an ear.
What do I get if I unlock the 12?
A free deck with all 22 words, added for you when you finish setting up: the 10 from the quiz (the ones you missed first, each with its example), then the 12 new ones. Every card has audio and comes back for review just before you’d forget it.
Do I need to read kana or kanji?
No. Every word shows romaji too, so you can play before you read a single kana. The sentences are in Japanese script, each with an English line.
Can I say these to my boss?
Mostly not. Slang is for friends, and Japanese is strict about who you’re talking to. Each answer says where it’s safe. Dotakyan is the one you’ll hear at work too.