For those who watch anime with English subs (or any language apart from Japanese) then you definitely will understand what I’m talking about. Phrases like 助けて (Tasukete) meaning “help me” may sound familiar to you.
So here I’ve written the top 70 most common Japanese phrases that I’ve seen and heard in anime all the time:
Greetings and Farewells
First off, let’s start with the basics, greetings and farewells in Japanese.
- Good Morning = おはようございます(ohayōgozaimasu) or sometimes I even here おはよう (ohayō) for short
- Thank you = ありがとうございました (arigatōgozaimashita)
- Good Afternoon = こんにちは (kon’nichiwa) Or can also be applied to the word “Hello” too
- Good Night = おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai)
- Good bye = さようなら (sayōnara)
- Hey! = おい (Oi)
Slang/Insult
- Stupid/Fool = ばか (baka)
- Shut Up = うるせえ (urusee)
- No way! = いやだ (iyada)
- Bastard = てめえ (temē)
- Sh*t = くそ (kuso)
Threat
- You wanna die? = しにてえ の か (shinitee no ka)
- Cut it out! = 切り取る (kiritoru)
- I’ll kill you = あなたを殺します (anata o koroshimasu)
- What did you say? = なん だ と (nandato)
- Shut up and watch! = 黙って見て (damatte mite)
- Don’t say anything stupid = バカなことなんて言わないで (bakanakoto nante iwanaide)
Romantic
- Hold my hand = テワツナイデ (te wa tsunaide)
- Kiss me = キスして (kisushite)
- You’re cute = あなたはかわいいです(anata wa kawaīdesu)
- I like you = 私はあなたが好きです (watashi wa anata ga sukidesu)
- I love you = わたしは、あなたを愛しています (watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu)
- Do you trust me = あなたは私を信頼しますか (anata wa watashi o shinrai shimasu ka)
- You’re cute, aren’t you = かわいい ね (Kawaii ne)
Family Related
- Mom = おかあさん (okāsan)
- Dad = おとさん (oto-san)
- Grandpa = おじいちゃん (ojīchan)
- Grandma = おばあちゃん (O bāchan)
- Older Brother = おにいさん (O nīsan)
- Older Sister = おねえさん (O nēsan)
- Younger Brother = おとうと (Otōto)
- Younger Sister = いもうと (Imōto)
Other
- What? = 何 (nani)
- Sorry = ごめんなさい (gomen’nasai)
- Awesome! = すげえ (sugee)
- I thought so = やっぱりね (yappari ne)
- Let’s eat = いただきます(Itadakimasu)
- What are you trying to say? = なにがいたんだ (nani ga itanda)
- What does it mean? = どういう意味ですか (dōiu imidesu ka)
- Are you alright? = だいじょうぶですか (daijōbudesu ka) or sometimes I hear 大丈夫 (daijōbu) for short
- I’m fine = 大丈夫です(daijōbudesu)
- Wait a minute = ちょっと待って (chottomatte)
- Taking a bath right now = 今入浴する (ima nyūyoku suru)
- Let’s go = 行こう (yukō)
- I want to become a good person = いい人になりたい (Ī hito ni naritai)
- We did it! = やった (yatta)
- You’re too late = あなたは遅れすぎだ (anata wa okure sugida)
- Leave me alone = 私をほっといて (watashi o hottoite)
- Everything’s gonna be okay = すべて大丈夫になるでしょう (subete daijōbu ni narudeshou)
- I can’t believe it = 信じられない (Shinjirarenai)
- Interesting = 面白い (omoshiroi)
- I win = かつ (katsu)
- It’s risky = やばい (yabai)
- Without a doubt = 確かに (tashikani)
- Really? = 本当に (hontouni)
- Haven’t seen you around for a while = ひさぶり です ね (hisaburi desu ne)
- What a pity = お気の毒に (O kinodoku ni)
- Go away = どこかに行って (doko ka ni itte)
- Calm down = おちついて(ochitsuite)
- You’ve got to be kidding me = 私をからかっている (watashi o karakatte iru)
Famous Anime Catchphrases *BONUS*
- Believe it = それを信じる(sore o shinjiru)
Or だってばよ(datteba yo) as Naruto says in the anime
Anime = Naruto Shippuden
- Let’s go home = 家に帰りましょう (Ie ni kaerimashou)
Anime = Tokyo Ghoul
- I’m curious = きになります (ki ni narimasu)
Anime = Hyouka
- I’m going to be the pirate king! = 私は海賊王になるでしょう (Watashi wa kaizoku-ō ni narudeshou)
Anime = One Piece
- How unpleasant = 冬海デス (fuyukai desu)
Anime = Kyoukai no Kanata
- Would you please bear my child? = 私の子供をもうけてください(Watashi no kodomo o mōkete kudasai)
Anime = Inuyasha
- Who are you calling short? = 誰と呼んでいますか (dare to yonde imasu ka)
Anime = Full Metal Alchemist
- I’m all fired up now! = 私はすべてだめになりました (watashi wa subete dame ni narimashita)
Anime = Fairy Tail
- Just a guy who’s a hero for fun = 楽しみのためのヒーローであるだけの人 (tanoshimi no tame no hīrōdearu dake no hito)
Anime = One Punch Man
- You can’t do a double suicide alone = 二人で自殺することはできません (futari de jisatsu suru koto wa dekimasen)
Anime = Bungou Stray Dogs
Thank you so much for reading! Comment down below any common phrases I may have missed or your favorite anime that may also use these same exact phrases.
These 100100 most common Japanese phrases anime are already converted to Kanji, with Hiragana and Romaji spelling so you can follow manga series and animated series better. Sometimes it implies something not good or dangerous. Sometimes used to scold people who are too good, for example helping others but hurting themselves.