Happy Sunday Japanophiles, Herewith the 39th issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter — your Weekly Dose of Japan!

Today, we’re simply going through some Anime vocabulary:

Anime Kotoba 101

こんにちは、アニメファンの皆さん！

We’ll be looking at anime words and phrases that capture the unique emotions, drama, and humor of anime.

These words are not only frequent in your favorite shows but also capture aspects of Japanese culture.

You’ll find vocabulary, context, and some classic scenes to help you see these words in action! Let’s get started! 🌸

10 Anime Words You Need to Know

1. かっこいい (Kakkoii)

Meaning: Cool, awesome, stylish.

Example Sentence: 「わぁ、本当にかっこいい！」(Waa, hontou ni kakkoii!) – "Wow, you’re so cool!"

Context: Used in scenes where a character does something impressive, like saving the day or making a grand entrance.

Scene Description: Think of a character stepping in with a powerful pose or wearing an outfit that catches everyone’s eye. Kakkoii is the word for those "cool factor" moments.

2. 大丈夫 (Daijoubu)

Meaning: Okay, all right, safe.

Example Sentence: 「大丈夫？しっかりして！」(Daijoubu? Shikkari shite!) – "Are you okay? Hang in there!"

Context: Often used by one character showing concern for another who’s injured or sad.

Scene Description: Picture a protagonist kneeling next to their friend who’s just been in a battle, checking on them to see if they’re okay.

3. バカ (Baka)

Meaning: Idiot, fool (teasing or scolding).

Example Sentence: 「バカ！そんなこと言わないで！」(Baka! Sonna koto iwanaide!) – "Idiot! Don’t say things like that!"

- Context: Popular with characters who are embarrassed or trying to hide their feelings.

- Scene Description: This is classic tsundere dialogue – the character blushes, calls the other person baka, and looks away to hide their feelings.

4. 先輩 (Senpai)

Meaning: Senior, upperclassman.

Example Sentence: 「先輩、あの…ちょっといいですか？」(Senpai, ano… chotto ii desu ka?) – "Senpai, um… do you have a moment?"

Context: A junior seeking advice or support from their senior.

Scene Description: The junior fidgets nervously before speaking, eyes wide with respect. In anime, senpai is always a person to look up to!

5. がんばれ (Ganbare)

Meaning: Do your best! Hang in there!

Example Sentence: 「がんばれ！君ならできる！」(Ganbare! Kimi nara dekiru!) – "You can do it! I believe in you!"

Context: Often yelled to inspire a friend or teammate in tough times.

Scene Description: A friend watches as their companion tries to overcome a challenge, cheering them on with ganbare! as they grit their teeth and give it their all.

6. お兄ちゃん (Onii-chan)

Meaning: Big brother, said affectionately.

Example Sentence: 「お兄ちゃん、おかえり！今日のこと聞いて！」(Onii-chan, okaeri! Kyou no koto kiite!) – "Welcome back, big brother! You’ve got to hear what happened today!"

Context: A younger sibling showing affection or excitement to their older brother.

Scene Description: This phrase is often said by younger siblings as they excitedly run up to their big brother, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention.

7. よろしく (Yoroshiku)

Meaning: Nice to meet you; please take care of me.

Example Sentence: 「よろしくお願いします！友達になりたいです！」(Yoroshiku onegaishimasu! Tomodachi ni naritai desu!) – "Nice to meet you! I want to be friends!"

Context: Commonly used when meeting someone new or asking for help.

Scene Description: One character, with a polite bow, eagerly introduces themselves, hoping to make a good impression on their new friend.

8. ありがとう (Arigatou)

Meaning: Thank you.

Example Sentence: 「本当にありがとう。君がいてくれてよかった。」(Hontou ni arigatou. Kimi ga ite kurete yokatta.) – "Thank you so much. I’m so glad you were here."

Context: Used when a character shows heartfelt gratitude.

Scene Description: A character expresses their thanks to a friend who’s supported them, with warmth and sincerity in their voice.

9. かわいい (Kawaii)

Meaning: Cute, adorable.

Example Sentence: 「あの猫、すごくかわいい！」(Ano neko, sugoku kawaii!) – "That cat is so cute!"

Context: Used when seeing something or someone especially cute, like a pet or a friend.

Scene Description: Picture someone rushing to pet an adorable cat, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they exclaim kawaii!.

10. おつかれさま (Otsukaresama)

Meaning: Good job; thank you for your hard work.

Example Sentence: 「みんな、おつかれさま！今日は頑張ったね。」(Minna, otsukaresama! Kyou wa ganbatta ne.) – "Great job, everyone! We worked hard today."

Context: Said to acknowledge someone’s hard work, often after a big event or practice session.

Scene Description: A character thanks their friends after a long day of training, with a warm smile and sense of camaraderie.

Anime Quote of the Week

"がんばれ、ナルト！夢を諦めるな！" 

(Ganbare, Naruto! Yume o akirameru na!) – "Don’t give up on your dream, Naruto!" 

This line captures the spirit of ganbare used as motivation in Naruto. It’s the type of scene where characters push each other to be their best!

Mini Grammar Corner: Adjectives and Honorifics

I-Adjectives: Words like kakkoii (cool) and kawaii (cute) are i-adjectives in Japanese, meaning they end in "i" and can be conjugated directly. To say something is “not cool” or “not cute,” we’d say "かっこよくない" (kakkoyokunai) or "かわいくない" (kawaikunai).

Honorifics: "Senpai," "onii-chan," and "yoroshiku" are words that convey respect or affection. Japanese honorifics add depth to relationships and convey subtle social nuances.

Practice Section: Fill in the Blanks

Can you fill in the missing words based on this week’s vocab?

1. 「君なら_______！」 (You can do it!)

2. 「______！何も言わないで！」 (Idiot! Don’t say anything!)

3. 「今日は_______！」 (Great job today!)

Answers: 1. がんばれ (Ganbare) 2. バカ (Baka) 3. おつかれさま (Otsukaresama)

ありがとうございました！ 

Thanks for reading!

Practice these phrases, listen for them in your favorite anime, and have fun using them.

That’s all folks!

Let me know if you enjoyed this simple anime run-through :)

Have a great Sunday!