I am in charge of private lessons at TCJ and also teach Japanese to foreign students at a metropolitan high school.

Previously, I wrote an article introducing What Does the Term “Yabai,” as Used by Japanese Young People, Mean? I have even more interesting words that I would like to share with you. This time, we will explore real conversations I’ve actually heard and the youth slang used by high school students. Youth slang refers to the words young people use, so if you’re an adult, just keep them in mind as, “Oh, these words exist these days!” for your general knowledge. Please note that these slang terms might fall out of use in the near future, as this information is accurate as of September 2024.

In gym class, students are practicing basketball. One student makes an amazing shot, receiving cheers from their classmates, including “エグい(Egui)!” or “エグ(Egu)!!”

A high school girl approaches one of her friends with a smile on her face.

A: どうしたの？彼氏でもできた？(Doushitano? Kareshi demo dekita?)
– What happened? Did you get a boyfriend or something?

B: ちがうちがう！推しのライブチケットが当たったの！(Chigau chigau! Oshino raibu chiketto ga atattano!)
– No, no! I got a ticket for a concert of that artist I’m a big fan of!

A:えー！やばっ！(Ehh! Yaba!)
– Wow! Really!?

B: 二日間も当たったんだよ。エグいでしょ！(Futsukakanmo atattandayo. Egui desho!)

– Also, I got it for two days! Isn’t it crazy?

As you can see in these examples, “エグい(egui)” can mean amazing, very impressive, or a nice play, like in Scenario 1. It can also express extreme happiness or delight, as shown in Scenario 2. When I asked Student B, she said, “Winning the concert ticket is ‘やばい(yabai)’ (extremely happy), and getting to go for two days makes her even happier (エグい).” It means more than “やばい” she says.

The dictionary defines “エグい” as a strong sensation that feels like a prickling or stinging in the throat. The noun form, “えぐみ(egumi),” is one of the words used to describe taste, specifically referring to an unpleasant bitterness. Nobody has figured out how the original meaning transformed into a positive one. Could it be because it’s stimulating and leaves a strong impression? Who knows?

The term “しんどい(shindoi),” commonly used in everyday conversation, can refer to the following examples:

・年を取ると階段をのぼるのがしんどい。(Toshi wo toru to kaidan wo noborunoga shindoi.)
– As you get older, it becomes harder to climb stairs.

・体育の授業で5キロ走ってしんどい。(Taiiku no jugyou de 5 kiro hasitte shindoi.)
– We ran 5 km in gym class, and I’m exhausted.

The word “しんどい” originally refers to something hectic or tiring that you don’t want to do. However, I was surprised to find out that it is now used among younger generations to mean “so good” or “amazing” to the point of being overwhelming.

・笑いすぎてしんどっ！(Warai sugite shindo!)

– I’m so exhausted from laughing too much!

・推しの新曲しんどｗ(Oshi no shinkyoku shindo wara)

– My favorite artist’s new song is overwhelming!

・この漫画、面白すぎてしんど〜い！(Kono manga, omoshirosugite shindo-i!)

– This manga is so good that it’s hard to handle!

Just like these examples, “しんどい” is now used in a positive sense to describe something that is too funny, extremely happy, or so good.

“わらえな(waraena)” is a shortened form of “わらえない(waraenai),” used when a situation is so bad that you can’t even laugh or joke about it.

・テスト勉強してない。わらえな。(Tesuto benkyou sitenai. Waraena.)
– I haven’t studied for the test. It’s not funny at all.

・先生に呼び出された。わらえな。(Sensei ni yobidasareta. Waraena.)
– My teacher called me out. I can’t joke about it.

・彼氏に別れたいと言われた。わらえな。(Kareshi ni wakaretai to iwareta. Waraena.)
– He told me to break up with him. I can’t laugh about it.

Similar to “えぐ” or “しんど,” young people often truncate or shorten words, like saying “バイト(baito)” instead of “アルバイト(arubaito”: part-time job)”. Some even go as far as saying just “ba” among friends. This trend of shortening words likely stems from the need for quicker communication on social networks. It’s not just limited to young people; it’s a sign of the times we live in.

As you can imagine from the sound, this word originates from the English word “バッド(bad).” It can also be written in hiragana as “バット/ばっと(batto)” or “バッド/ばっど(baddo).” One theory suggests that it was derived from the panic state experienced during a drug trip, known as a “bad trip.”

・Switch壊れたから、バットだわ。(Switch kowareta kara, batto dawa.)
– My Switch is broken, and I’m feeling really bad.

・バイトの店長に怒られた。マジでバッド入るわ。(Baito no tenchou ni okorareta. Majide baddo hairuwa.)
– I got scolded by my boss at my part-time job. Seriously, I’m feeling down.

・給料日まで10日もある。金なくてばっと。(Kyuuryoubi made 10 nichi mo aru. Kane nakute batto.)
– I still have 10 more days until my payday, which is bad because I don’t have any money.

It is used to convey meanings such as “shock,” “worst state,” or “feeling down.” While it is commonly used in conversation, it is also frequently seen in tweets and expressions of frustration on social media.

High school girls are talking about their boyfriends.

A: 彼氏の食べ方が汚くて蛙化。もう無理
(Kareshi no tabekata kitanakute kaeruka. Mou muri.)
– I got the ick when I saw my boyfriend eating so messily. I just can’t deal with it anymore.

B: わかる〜。うちのも、バレーボールをしてる時はかっこいいのに、バスケしてるのを見て蛙化〜
(Wakaru~. Uchi no mo, bare-booru wo shiteru toki wa kakkoii noni, basuke shiteru no wo mite kaeruka~)
– “ know exactly what you mean. My boyfriend looks amazing when he plays volleyball, but when he plays basketball… total ick.

“蛙化現象(kaeru ka genshou : frog-ization phenomenon)” is a psychology term coined by clinical psychologist Fujisawa in 2004. It describes the phenomenon where, upon realizing that the person you like is also attracted to you, you suddenly develop negative feelings toward them. The concept has become popular among Gen Z and is now used to describe situations where even small behaviors of the person you like can make you lose interest or feel turned off.

The word that is going viral among Gen Z, which emerged last year as the opposite term, is “蛇化現象(Hebi ka genshou)”.

・彼氏の歯に海苔がついてたんだけど、母性がくすぐられた〜！蛇化！
(Kareshi no ha ni nori ga tsuitetandakedo, bosei ga kusugurareta! Hebika!)
– My boyfriend had a piece of seaweed stuck in his teeth, but it was kind of endearing—Hebika!

・いつも遅刻する彼女、かわいい。蛇化！
(Itsumo chikokusuru kanojo, kawaii. Hebika!)
– She’s always late, but she’s cute. That’s totally Hebika!

If you’re in love with someone, no matter what they do or wear, you find them cute, attractive, and endearing. They give you butterflies, and you feel such affection that you can forgive anything.

Now there’s another term that’s gone viral on social media, called “キング化(kingu ka),” which refers to finding everything about someone you like amusing. “キング(Kingu)” comes from the English word “king.” Kings are meant to be treated well and revered, so even their quirks or odd behaviors are viewed positively. For example, “The way he runs is kind of weird, but it’s not a problem. If anything, it’s hilarious,” or “His outfit may be lame, but that just makes him even funnier.”

Personally, this is a word I’m not sure I understand the usage of, called “ワンチャン(wanchan)”.

・ワンチャンAくんに会えるかも！
(wancahn A kun ni aerukamo!)
– I might have a chance to meet A-kun.

・今から新宿に行こうと思ってる。ワンチャン渋谷も。
(Imakara Shinjuku ni ikouto omotteru. Wanchan Shibuya mo.)
– I’m thinking of going to Shinjuku now. Maybe I’ll head to Shibuya if it’s possible.

・あいつって、ワンチャンBちゃんのこと好きじゃない？
(Aitsutte, wanchan B chan no koto sukijanai?)
– Doesn’t he kinda like B-chan?

・C「カラオケ行かね？」(Karaoke ikane?)
D「ワンチャンあり！」(Wanchan ari!)
– C: Want to go karaoke? D: There’s a chance it could happen!

The term “ワンチャン” originates from “one chance,” referring to the idea of “perhaps” or “maybe.” It implies possibility and suggests that there might be a chance or that options are available. Whether the possibilities are low or high, or if you’re just hoping, it encompasses a wide range of nuances, making it important to understand the context.

Originally, it was used as a mahjong term, meaning that if you seize the one-time chance, there’s a possibility to make a comeback. I only knew “ワンチャン” (meaning “one chance”) as a mahjong term, but now I feel like I’ve caught up with the times.

What did you think? Are there any terms you already knew? 

Did you know them by “ワンチャン”? Trends tend to fade as you learn new slang—that’s “バッド”. Anyway, the way terms like “蛙化” and “蛇化” were named is “しんど” because it’s fascinating.

Did I sound like a teenager to you? Youth slang, or trendy words, changes every day; some may have already fallen out of use. Let’s enjoy the evolution of language!

You’ll encounter many of these youth slang and trendy words in Japanese anime and video games. I assume many Japanese learners are interested in those words that you see on a daily basis. Please feel free to ask your teachers about any words you want to learn! We will teach you the nuances and usages of each thoroughly.

『現代用語の基礎知識 2024』 (Fundamental Knowledge of Contemporary Terms 2024) by Jiyukokuminsha, (2024)　p.102-111.

『新明解 国語辞典 第五版』 (Shinmeikai Japanese Dictionary, 5th Edition) by Kanedaichi Kyousuke, Sanseido, (2003)

『若者言葉の研究 SNS時代の言語変化』 (Study of Youth Language: Linguistic Changes in the Age of SNS) by Horio Yosuke, (2022)

Reference URL
Reference Cooperation Database
https://crd.ndl.go.jp/reference/detail?page=ref_view&id=1000305941

『女子が恋愛過程で遭遇する蛙化現象』(Encountering the Frogization Phenomenon in the Process of Romance) by Fujisawa Shinsuke, Proceedings of the Japanese Psychological Association, (2004)
https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=200902260863580220