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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
天然てんねんnaturally airheaded; ditzy in a cute way彼女は天然で、みんなに愛されている。She is naturally airheaded, and everyone loves her.
尊いとうといprecious; so adorable it’s overwhelming赤ちゃんの笑顔が尊い。The baby's smile is precious.
推しoshifavorite idol, character, or person you support私の推しはこのアイドルです。My favorite is this idol.
推し活oshikatsusupporting your favorite idol, character, or creator今日は推し活でグッズを買った。Today I bought merchandise for my favorite.
炎上enjouonline backlash; getting flamedその発言でSNSが炎上した。That comment caused backlash on social media.
王道おうどうclassic; standard; best-known choice王道のストーリーが好きだ。I like classic storylines.
甘えん坊あまえんぼうa clingy or spoiled person弟はちょっと甘えん坊だ。My younger brother is a little spoiled.
かみamazing; godlikeamazing; godlike
空気が読めないくうきがよめないcan't read the room空気が読めないcan't read the room
空気読めくうきよめRead the room!空気読めRead the room!
kusalol; laughingその話、草。That story is lol.
記憶ないきおくないI don't remember anything; blacked out記憶ないI don't remember anything; blacked out
詰みtsumibeing screwed; game overテスト前日に寝坊して、もう詰みだ。I overslept the day before the test, so I’m totally screwed.
詰んだtsundaI'm screwed; it's over宿題を忘れて詰んだ。I forgot my homework, and I’m screwed.
逆ナンぎゃくなんwhen a woman picks up a man; reverse pickup昨日、逆ナンされたんだ。A woman picked me up yesterday.
鉄板てっぱんa sure thing; a classic favoriteこの店のラーメンは鉄板だよ。The ramen at this shop is always a safe bet.
陰キャいんきゃshy, introverted person彼はちょっと陰キャっぽい。He seems a little shy and introverted.
陽キャようきゃoutgoing, extroverted person彼は陽キャで、いつも元気です。He's an outgoing person and always energetic.
非リアhiriānot socially active; not part of the popular scene僕は非リアだから、週末は家にいる。I’m not a social butterfly, so I stay home on weekends.
飲みニケーションのみにけーしょんdrinking together as a way to socialize or networkうちの会社は飲みニケーションが多い。My company does a lot of socializing over drinks.

Free Japanese Slang for Beginners PDF and Flashcard Downloads

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