Categories
Core Slang
31 entries
Internet / SNS
14 entries
Youth Slang
7 entries
Anime & Manga
1 entries
Dialect
0 entries
All Entries (Recently Updated)
See all 46 entries →1
よっ よっ
The ultimate minimal male greeting — just one syllable
Casual
2
やばい やばい
The ultimate all-purpose slang — can mean anything from "amazing" to "terrible"
Casual
3
ワロタ わろた
Internet-speak for 'I laughed' — the predecessor to 草 (kusa), born on 2ch forums.
Casual
4
ワンチャン わんちゃん
"Maybe" / "there is a chance" — from "one chance," now means any slim possibility
Casual
5
ウケる うける
"That is hilarious" — the classic laugh reaction, especially "ウケるんだけど！"
Casual
6
上から目線 うえからめせん
Talking down to someone — acting superior when you have no right to
Casual
7
積ん読 つんどく
Buying books and letting them pile up unread — one of the most famous "untranslatable Japanese words"
Neutral
8
使えない つかえない
"Useless" / "incompetent" — a harsh way to call someone worthless at their job
Casual
9
豆腐メンタル とうふめんたる
Someone who's mentally fragile — their mind crumbles like tofu at the slightest pressure.
Casual
10
テイクアウト ていくあうと
Wasei-eigo for buying food or drinks to go — sounds like English but isn't quite how native speakers say it
Neutral
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What's the Japanese Equivalent of 'What's Up'?
Why there's no direct Japanese translation for 'what's up' — and what people actually say instead.
2026-03-05
How Natural Do Jujutsu Kaisen Character Names Sound to Native Japanese Speakers?
A native Japanese speaker breaks down whether the names in Jujutsu Kaisen are common, rare, or completely made up.
2026-03-01
Manga / Anime Words That Real Japanese People Don't Actually Use
Words you hear in anime all the time but will get you weird looks if you use them in real life.
What is YabaiDict?
A guide to real Japanese — slang, casual expressions, and everyday phrases that textbooks won't teach you. Every entry is written and reviewed by native speakers living in Japan, not translated by someone who studied Japanese in college.
Most "Japanese slang" content online is either outdated lists or AI-generated fluff with zero nuance. We keep this dictionary current, honest, and actually useful. If a word sounds dated, makes you look like an old man, or will get you weird looks — we'll tell you.
Made in Japan
Written by native speakers who live and breathe this language every day
Actually current
Updated regularly with new slang as it emerges
Real context
When to use it, when not to, and how it actually sounds