Japanese Slang page: 1 | 2 |

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Japanese low-go or Japanese slang,is a bit different than English or probably all Western slang, in that there are no "swear words" in Japanese.

However, using low-go in an inappropriate situation would be considered rude.

For example, it would be inappropriate to use low-go when you first meet someone.

Also, it would be considered rude to use low-go with one's superiors.

But amongst friends low-go is very common and lots of fun.

Here are some commonly heard ways of making low-go expressions in Japanese.

1. Change the endings of your sentences (desu yo -> yo -> zo).

2. And there are special adjective forms (nai -> nee),

3. Some words should only be used by guys (gohan -> meshi).

4. Other words are contracted in low-go somewhat similarly to 'cannot' --> 'can't' in English.

5. Certain particles can be left out.

An example:

Use it or lose it!
　　　
1. Change the endings of your sentences (desu yo -> yo -> zo). Just used for emphasis:

よ：　そうよ (that's right!)。　でんわよ (phone!)。　いくよ (I'm going!)。　もうじかんだよ (it's time!)。　すわるよ (I'll sit)。

ぞ：　やるぞ (I'll do it)。　かつぞ (I'll win)。　たべるぞ (I'll eat)。　とったぞ (I took some!)。　きいたぞ (I heard!)。(mostly used by guys)

ね：　そうだね (that's right)。　もってきてね (bring it)。　かいてね (write it)。　よんでね (read it)。　さいたね (it's blooming)。

な：　そうやな (that's right)。　あついな (it's hot)。　おいしいな (it's delicious)。　きれいだな (it's pretty)。　おかしいな (that's wierd)。

2. And there are special adjective forms (nai -> nee),

きれいじゃないーー＞きれいじゃねえ

しらないーー＞しらねえ

やらないーー＞やらねえ

こわくないーー＞こわくねえ

うごかないーー＞うごかねえ

3. Some words should only be used by guys (gohan -> meshi).

4. Other words are contracted in low-go somewhat similarly to 'cannot' --> 'can't' in English.

もっているーー＞もってる

きいているーーきいてる

やってはだめーーやっちゃだめ

きたらいけないーー＞きちゃいけない

たべましたーー＞たべたーー＞たべちゃった

5. Certain particles can be left out.

わたしがいくよーー＞わたしいくよ。

それをやっておいてもらえますかーー＞やっておいてくれる？