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cursing.in curse like a local

Japanese · At the Izakaya

一気

ikki

EEK-kee · /ikki/

Chug! Chug! / down it in one!

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"in one breath"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

The chugging chant — "ikki! ikki!" clapped in rhythm to make someone down their drink in one. Fun in spirit but genuinely frowned upon and even dangerous: ikki-nomi coercion has killed students, campuses ban it, and pressuring a non-drinker is real "alcohol harassment" (aru-hara). Recognize it; think twice before joining the chant.

Heard in the wild

一気!一気!って煽られた。

They egged me on chanting 'chug! chug!'

Where it lands

Nationwide; controversial / discouraged

Quick answers

What does "一気" mean?
In Japanese, "一気" means "Chug! Chug! / down it in one!". Literally it's "in one breath". The chugging chant — "ikki! ikki!" clapped in rhythm to make someone down their drink in one. Fun in spirit but genuinely frowned upon and even dangerous: ikki-nomi coercion has killed students, campuses ban it, and pressuring a non-drinker is real "alcohol harassment" (aru-hara). Recognize it; think twice before joining the chant.
Is "一気" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "一気"?
Say it "EEK-kee" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ikki.

Related in Japanese

おっす ossu OHSS 'Sup / yo (rough male greeting) 乾杯 kanpai kahn-PYE Cheers! / Bottoms up! おごって ogotte o-GOHT-teh You're buying / treat me / your round ドンマイ donmai dohn-MYE No worries / shake it off / tough luck, forget it うまい umai / umee oo-MYE Delicious! / So good! / Nailed it! 二日酔い futsuka-yoi foots-kah-YOH-ee Hangover

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "A rude toast".

how to say "A rude toast" →

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