Translation guide
A guide to expressing Internet slang in Japanese, covering common terms, abbreviations, and communication styles used online.
Common slang words and phrases used in Japanese online communities, social media, and messaging.
Literally 'grass', used to indicate laughter, equivalent to 'lol'. Derived from the way 'www' (from 笑う warau, to laugh) looks like grass.
That video is seriously funny lol
Represents laughter, similar to 'lol'. The number of 'w's can indicate intensity. Pronounced as 'warau' or just read as 'w'.
Did you see that comment? lol
Past tense of 笑う (warau), meaning 'I laughed'. Used similarly to 'lol' or 'that made me laugh'.
That reply made me laugh
Abbreviation of お疲れ様 (otsukaresama), meaning 'good work' or 'thanks for your effort'. Used casually online.
Thanks for uploading the video
Slang for 'account', from the English word. Used in contexts like social media or game accounts.
I got my account banned
Commonly used abbreviations in Japanese internet communication, often derived from longer phrases or English loanwords.
Abbreviation of 詳しく (kuwashiku), meaning 'details please' or 'tell me more'.
Tell me more about that
Abbreviation of ワクテカ (wakuwaku tekateka), expressing excitement and anticipation, similar to 'can't wait' or 'so excited'.
So excited for tomorrow's concert
Abbreviation of ググれカス (gugure kasu), meaning 'just Google it, you idiot'. Rude, used to tell someone to search for themselves.
This is very informal and can be offensive. Use only with close friends or in joking contexts.
Just Google that, idiot
Abbreviation of リアル充実 (riaru jūjitsu), meaning someone who has a fulfilling real life, often used to describe people with active social lives or relationships.
Abbreviation of ネット充実 (netto jūjitsu), meaning someone who is fulfilled by their online life, opposite of リア充.
I'm fulfilled online so I don't go out
Japanese-style emoticons (kaomoji) used to express emotions in text, often more elaborate than Western emoticons.
Kaomoji are widely used in Japanese online communication to convey tone and emotion. They are read as part of the text, not pronounced.
Today was fun (^_^)
I'm sad (T_T)
Terms describing online behaviors or states, such as lurking, trolling, or being addicted.
Verb meaning 'to lurk' (read-only member), from ROM (Read-Only Memory). Used when someone only reads posts without participating.
I've been lurking for a while
Noun meaning 'troll' or 'trolling', referring to someone who disrupts online communities. The verb form is 荒らす (arasu).
The forum is being trolled
Literally 'second-year middle school disease', referring to cringey, edgy behavior typical of early teens, often seen online.
Terms used to describe types of people online, such as newbies, heavy users, or specific personalities.
General term for 'beginner' or 'newbie'. Often abbreviated as 初心 (shoshin) in online games.
I'm a beginner, please be kind
Literally 'ruined person', used for someone who is extremely addicted to something, especially games or the internet.
Refers to an old-timer or veteran in an online community, someone who has been around since the early days.
Many Japanese internet slang terms are highly informal and may be inappropriate in formal settings or with strangers. Use them only in casual online interactions with friends or in communities where such language is accepted.
When reading internet slang aloud, abbreviations like 'kwsk' are usually pronounced as the full word (詳しく), while emoticons are not pronounced but understood from context.
あいつリア充だな
That guy has a great real life, huh
Slang for someone addicted to online games, literally 'net game ruin person'. Implies neglecting real life.
He's addicted to online games
その厨二病なセリフやめて
Stop with those edgy lines
廃人プレイやめられない
I can't stop this hardcore gaming
I'm a long-time fan