Matt Fargo (12 page)
Authors: Dirty Japanese: Everyday Slang From "What's Up?" to "F*%# Off!"
Titles
Family
keishō
Thanks to Karate Kid, everybody knows that adding “san” to Daniel’s name makes him “Mister Daniel.” But did you know that there are a bunch of other titles you can add to people’s names—and not just respectful ones either, but slang ones to use with your friends?
SENSEI
Generally used for teachers, or someone who has otherwise been a beacon of knowledge in one’s life.
SAN
Pretty much the equivalent of “Mister,” it maintains professional distance.
SAMA
“Sir/Madam.” Only for highly polite situations, or when you’re being ironic.
KUN
An affectionate ending for a friend’s name, usually a male friend who is the same age or younger than you.
CHAN
More affectionate and cuter that “kun,” and therefore often used with girls, but with boys as well, when they are being cute.
CHIN
This is a slangier version of “chan.”
TAN
And even slangier version of “chan.”
PON
A silly ending for a friend’s name, kind of dorky and fun.
kazoku
Family is what it’s all about—especially in Japan, where the family unit still retains a subtle semblance of cohesiveness. When speaking about or to your own family, it’s normal to use slang titles like “my old lady” or “the geezer”—but be sure to use respectful names like “father” and “mother” when speaking about other people’s families.
Father
otōsan
otōsan
What does your father do for a living?
otōsan wa donna shigoto shite irundesuka
otōsan wa donna shigoto shite irundesuka
Dad
papa
papa
My dad’s been married three times.
papa wa sankai mo kekkon shite iru
papa wa sankai mo kekkon shite iru
Old man, geezer
oyaji
oyaji
My old man was a lush.
uchi no oyaji wa aruchū datta
uchi no oyaji wa aruchū datta
oyaji gyagu
a “geezer pun.” In Japan, bad puns are referred to as
“geezer puns,” as the chief culprits are usually old men.
“geezer puns,” as the chief culprits are usually old men.
Mother
okāsan
okāsan
Do you look more like your father or your mother?
otōsan to okāsan no dotchi ni nite irundesuka
otōsan to okāsan no dotchi ni nite irundesuka
Mom
mama
mama
I miss my mom’s cooking.
uchi no mama no teryōri ga natsukashikute
uchi no mama no teryōri ga natsukashikute
Old lady
ofukuro
ofukuro
My old lady used to be pretty hot, back in the day.
ore no ofukuro nanka wakai koro wa chō bijin datta
ore no ofukuro nanka wakai koro wa chō bijin datta
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