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Japanese Slang for Beginners — Free PDF and Flashcards

If you’re learning Japanese, this page works like a study sheet: clear entries, quick context, and a format that’s easy to review in short sessions.

If you’re ready to sound a little less textbook and a little more like an actual human in conversation, you’re in the right place. Scroll to the bottom of this article for the free printable Japanese slang for beginners vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable Japanese slang for beginners flashcards.

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ExpressionReadingMeaningExampleTranslation
ツッコミつっこみstraight-man response; retort彼のボケに、すぐツッコミを入れた。I quickly made a retort to his joke.
ツッコミどころつっこみどころsomething worth pointing out or reacting toこの話、ツッコミどころが多いね。This story has a lot of things to point out.
ツレつれfriend; companion今日はツレと映画を見に行く。I'm going to see a movie with a friend today.
ツンデレつんでれcold at first but secretly affectionate彼女はツンデレな性格だ。She has a tsundere personality.
てかtekaor rather; I meanてか、もう帰ろう。I mean, let's go home already.
テキトーてきとーcasual for 'careless' or 'roughly'テキトーにやっていいよ。You can do it roughly.
デブでぶfat person; chubby personデブって言われて傷ついた。I was hurt when I was called fat.
テンアゲてんあげsuper excited; hyped upライブ前でテンアゲだ。I'm super hyped before the concert.
テンサゲてんさげsuper down; bummed outテストが悪くて、今日はテンサゲだ。I did badly on the test, so I'm really bummed out today.
テンションてんしょんmood; energy level; vibe今日はテンションが高い。My energy is high today.
ドキドキどきどきheart pounding; nervous excitement初デートでドキドキした。I was nervous on my first date.
ときめくときめくto feel excited; to have your heart race新しい恋にときめいている。I'm excited about my new romance.
ドジどじclumsy; blunderまたドジをしてしまった。I made another blunder.
トロいとろいslow; sluggish; dim-wittedそんなにトロいと間に合わないよ。If you're that slow, you won't make it in time.
ドンマイdonmaidon't worry about it; never mindミスしてもドンマイ。Don't worry if you make a mistake.
ナイスないすnice; good jobナイス、よくできたね。Nice, you did well.
ナウいなういold slang meaning 'trendy' or 'in style'この服、ちょっとナウいね。These clothes are kind of trendy.
ナンパなんぱpicking someone up; hitting on someone駅前でナンパされた。I got hit on in front of the station.
ネタねたjoke; bit; material for a post or storyこの写真、SNSのネタになる。This photo will make good social media material.
ネタバレnetabarespoilerネタバレしないで。Don’t spoil it.
ノリのりvibe; how someone goes along with thingsこのグループはノリがいい。This group has a good vibe.
ノリがいいのりがいいeasygoing; good at going with the flow彼はノリがいいから、一緒にいて楽しい。He goes with the flow, so he's fun to be with.
ノリが悪いのりがわるいnot into it; not going with the flowそんなときにノリが悪いことを言わないで。Don't say something that kills the mood at a time like that.
ハイテンションはいてんしょんsuper energetic; very hyped彼女は朝からハイテンションだ。She has been super hyped since this morning.
バイブスばいぶすvibes; mood; energyこの店、バイブスがいいね。This place has good vibes.

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