Japanese · 14 phrases
Exclamations
Dropped your phone, missed the train, heard shocking gossip? These are the reflexes — itai for pain, uso and maji-ka for disbelief, shimatta for "oops, I blew it," and the eternal groan of mendokusai. Grandma-safe, universal, and the fastest way to sound like you actually live here.
ビビる bibiru bee-BEE-roo Freaked out / spooked / rattled げっ ge' GEH Ugh / yuck / oh no いてえ itee (itai) ee-TEH Ow! / Ouch! / That hurts! マジ maji MAH-jee Seriously / for real / no joke マジか maji ka MAH-jee kah For real?! / Are you kidding me?! めちゃくちゃ mechakucha MEH-chah-koo-chah A total mess / all messed up (or: super, as an intensifier) 面倒くさい mendōkusai men-DOH-koo-sigh What a pain / can't be bothered / such a hassle しまった shimatta shee-MAHT-tah Damn / oops / oh no, I blew it たっけえ takkee (takai) tahk-KEH Damn, that's expensive! / highway robbery うそ uso OO-so No way! / You're kidding! / That can't be true! 畜生 chikushō chee-koo-SHOH Dammit! / God damn it! ゲロ gero GEH-ro Puke / to hurl くそ kuso KOO-so Damn! / Crap! / Shit! 何だよ nanda yo NAHN-dah yo What the hell / what's your problem