25 ESSENTIAL Japanese Words for EVERYDAY Conversation

You'll hear these 25 Japanese words pretty much every day in Japan - so it's worth knowing them. We wander through Tokyo for the day, using them in natural situations and discuss what they mean and how they're used. (Featuring Natsuki & his late Xmas presents).


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[AbroadinJapan]

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: What one Japanese word do you think is worth knowing?
I thought I’d kick off 2020 with something educational, given how I know everyone likes to have bold New Year’s resolutions - often around learning a language. So before some of that motivation rapidly starts to fizzle out, here’s 25 Everyday Japanese Words worth knowing. You’ll notice how we avoided hello, thank you, sorry, etc. as they’re so commonly found, we wanted to steer clear of them and showcase some words and expressions you may not have heard before (beginners never seem to hear Mendoukusai for example, even though I hear someone around me say it almost every single day).
Only after I finished editing this did I realise how ridiculous some of this stuff was though - I mean that whole section with the sausages is ripe for parody. AND THEN there’s the questionable alcoholic beverage at the end. Still, hopefully along the way you learned some new words and if this video proves popular, we’ll certainly look at making a language learning series in the coming months. Preferably without the sperm liquor next time.

[mateuszz]

Chris: gives beer to friend as gift

*Proceeds to drink it in the next scene*

What a great gift! 😂

[rustycage]

The chemistry between these two is off the charts.

[GarrettHarer]

I loved this collection of words! Here's everything typed out in case anyone else wants to add them to their notes. Thank you, Chris and Natsuki!
1) Kirei - きれい
“Pretty”, beautiful or tidy


2) Uso - 嘘
“Lies!” or “No way!”
Uso deshou (You’re lying, right?)


3) Saikou - 最高
“It’s the best” or Lit. The Most
When you’re overwhelmed by something being so amazing


4) Chicchai - ちっちゃい
“Tiny” (in a cute/adorable way)


5) Natsukashii - 懐かしい
“That takes me back” or Lit. Nostalgic


6) Isogashii - 忙しい
“I’m busy” or occupied


7) Harahetta - 腹減った
“I’m starving”
(Formal version is “onaka suita”)


8) Mendoukusai - めんどうくさい
“It’s bothersome” or “It’s a lot of effort”
(Used when you feel like quitting on something)


9) Dekai - でかい
Huge or gigantic
(Big is “Ookii”)


10) Umai - うまい
“Delicious” or really tasty
(“Umai” is more casual than “Oishii”)


11) Mezurashii - 珍しい
“It’s rare” or unusual


12) Nemui - 眠い
“I’m sleepy” or drowsy


13) Samishii - 寂しい
“Lonely” or sad


14) Atsui - 熱い
“Hot” or heated
(Shortened to Atsu! for “Ouch”)


15) Itai - 痛い
“It’s painful” or sore
(Shortened to Ita! For “Ouch”)


16) Majide - まじで
“Seriously” or “You’re not joking?”


17) Hontouni - 本当に
“Really” or truly


18) Tsumaranai - つまらない
“Boring” or tedious
(Often shortened to "Tsumannai" in speech)


19) Dasai - ダサい
“Uncool” or unfashionable


20) Kakkoii - かっこいい
“Cool” or attractive
(Not typically used to describe situations like we with “cool” in English)


21) Urusai - うるさい
“Noisy” or annoying


22) Sugei - すげい
“Incredible” or amazing
(Masculine form of “Sugoi”)


23) Mazui - まずい
“Disgusting” or awful
(Never say it near whoever made dinner)


24) Muzukashii - 難しい
“It’s difficult” or complicated
(The common & polite way of saying “not possible”)


25) Tsukareta - 疲れた
“I’m exhausted” or worn out
(Typically expressed at the end of a work day)

[isabelforsyth]

Note from Japanese girl:
“Hara hetta “(I’m starving) is mainly used by men and has immature and crude sound to it.
Most mature people and women say “Onaka hetta “

Also, “Oishii” (delicious) is very common among female and adult even though he said no one uses it. Normally we say “meccha oishii” ( very tasty).
“Umai” has immature sound to it, but it’s still very common way of saying especially among young generation. Do not recommend saying it in official occasion or if you want to talk in a feminine way.

Overall Great video!!
I personally use “majide”, “hontoni “, “Yabai”, “natsukashii”, “Oishii”, “Mendokusai”, “Muzukashii “, “Dasai”, “Kakoii”, a lot .
I agree that all words in the video are very useful in real daily life!

[sighfu]

I don’t know why but this somehow popped on my head:
What if Natsuki has all along just been a native English actor who Chris hired for one of his videos long ago. Like he became so invested in the role he transformed into the Natsuki we know today, but in real life he’s actually James Saikou, international secret spy and actor extraordinaire.

[teahoneyhoney]

This is the closest video we have of Natsuki and Ryotaro in one room

[dragosb]

These will come in handy while Im watching anime like a loser at 3AM and everytime I'll hear a familiar word I'll be like "Yes, I know that one, Im basically fluent!"

[its_seabass]

This is one of the most underrated language learning videos. All of the information is useful and clearly presented. Also the way he presents everything as a seamless story rather than one word after another makes it more enjoyable. It reminds me of the techniques from the book i'm reading (which chris recommended) called "you can have an amazing memory", which i'm guessing he may have gotten inspiration from.

[deni]

I like when chris switches back and forth between normal conversation and directly looking and talking to the camera, makes me feel like I'm watching malcolm in the middle again

[VlogsarmyRohitThapaVlogs]

*Me arrives to Japan*
Cab Driver : Where do you wanna go ?
Me :" majide", “hontoni “, “Yabai”, “natsukashii”, “Oishii”, “Mendokusai”, “Muzukashii “, “Dasai”, “Kakoii”
Cab Driver:
*Pulls out chopsticks*

[moonster]

Me: repeat every the word as he says it

Also me after 1 hr: *FORGETS EVERYTHING*

[ReplayStation]

Best way to learn Japanese: Have a Natsuki.

[sorathetroll]

Great video! and I think the most useful Japanese word would be "kimoi" or "yabai" as 90% of Japanese people say them every day :/

[renceilaya]

In filipino, "Umai" hass the opposite of the meaning in Japanese. It means "fed up already eating that specific food" 😂

[romario]

Natsuki is a treasure (Chris as well hehe). His way of expressing himself is so unique. "Grammatically incorrect but understandable ". Gleat vidleo.

[kazootora]

1:00 Kirei - Pretty / beautiful or tidy
1:33 uso - your lying/ no way! 
2:00 saiko - its the best / lit. the most
2:17 Chicchia - tiny (in a cute/adorable way)
2:58 Natsukashii - that takes me back / Lit. Nostalgic
3:26 Isogashii - im bussy / Occupied
3:40 Harahetta - Im starving
4:00 Mendoukusai - Its bothersome / its a lot of effort
4:29 dekai - Huge / Gigantic
4:47 Umai - Delicious / really tasty
5:19 Mezurashii - It's rare / unusual
5:54 Nemui - Im sleepy / Drowsy
6:18 samishii - Lonely / Sad
6:52 Atsui - Hot / Heated
7:06 Itai - Its painful / Sore
7:21 Majide - seriously / You're not lying?
7:42 Hontouni - Really / truly
7:59 Tsumaranai - Boring / Tedious
8:27 Dasai - Uncool / Unfashionable
8:36 Kakkoii - Cool / Attractive
9:10 Urusai - Noisy / Annoying
9:56 Sugei - Incredible / Amazing
11:03 Mazui - Disguqting / Awful
11:37 Muzakashii - Its difficult / Complicated
12:34 Tsukareta - Im exhausted / Worn out

I hope this is useful :D

[comotovi]

Not only is it a great video but it also made me realize something - i think Natsuki would make a good actor. Super natural in these sketches, and with his energetic personality i think he'd be great on stage. He should try it, and i think that'd make a great video project/series too, Chris :)

[Draz-]

This is such a better format than just mouthing off phrases all by yourself in a studio.

[thewriters]

When Natsuki says LETS GO!! I always get them positive vibes, ive learned alot from Natsuki ASO,