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Authors: Dirty Japanese: Everyday Slang From "What's Up?" to "F*%# Off!"

BOOK: Matt Fargo
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Goodbye
sayōnara
When it comes to parting phrases, there are also any number of variations on the traditional sayōnara.
Buh-bye
bainara
See ya
hon jā ne
Later
mata nē
Smell you later (tough guy way of saying “bye”)
aba yo
Hey!
oi!
In British English, “oi” is a slightly impolite word used to get people’s attention. In Japanese, oi is a slightly impolite word used to get people’s attention. Go figure. Other attention grabbers:
Look!
hora
Hey, kid…
na kimi
Come here a sec.
chotto oide
I want to have a word with you.
hanashi ga arundakedo
Myself
jibun
One of the great things about Japanese is the variety of personal pronouns you can assume. The main three ways to say “I” are:
I (feminine/polite)
watashi
I’m Nancy!
watashi wa nanshī dēsu
I (boyish)
boku
I’m studying as hard as I can to get into college!
boku wa isshō kemmei juken benkyō o yatte māsu
I (manly)
ore
I totally look like Mel Gibson, don’t I?
ore tte meru gibuson ni nitenē

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