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Tokyo and Kanto Colloquial Japanese: 16 Words and Endings

JLPT N4JLPT N3casualTokyo speech16 cards · 東京・関東の話し言葉

Standard Japanese is based on Tokyo speech, but Kanto has its own casual flavour. These 16 cards — 11 words and 5 grammar endings — include 〜じゃん, 〜だべ, 〜っす, かたす (tidy up), 超, かったるい and the Edo-era べらぼう. All casual; 13 at JLPT N3 and 3 at N4.

Hover or tap a card for the example sentence.

  • 01JLPT N4

    〜じゃん

    ~jan

    isn't it (Tokyo/Yokohama)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    この店、安くていいじゃん！

    This place is cheap and good, right!

  • 02JLPT N3

    〜だべ

    ~dabe

    right? (Kanagawa / north Kanto)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    明日も暑いだべ。

    It'll be hot again tomorrow, right?

  • 03JLPT N3

    かたす

    katasu

    to tidy up (Kanto = katazukeru)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    机の上、かたしておいて。

    Tidy up the desk, will you?

  • 04JLPT N3

    ちがくて

    chigakute

    not that (colloquial bend of chigau)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    ちがくて、そういう意味じゃないの。

    No no, that's not what I meant.

  • 05JLPT N3

    〜っす

    ~ssu

    clipped desu (junior/sporty)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    お疲れっす！先輩、今日もすごかったっす。

    Good work! Senpai, you were awesome today too.

  • 06JLPT N3

    うざい

    uzai

    annoying (from Tama area)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    広告が多すぎてうざい。

    There are so many ads it's annoying.

  • 07JLPT N3

    おっかない

    okkanai

    scary (east Japan)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    あの犬、おっかない顔してるね。

    That dog has a scary face.

  • 08JLPT N3

    しょっぱい（顔）

    しょっぱい · shoppai (kao)

    lame / sorry-looking (Kanto slang)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    負けてしょっぱい顔すんなよ。

    Don't make that sorry face just because you lost.

  • 09JLPT N4

    〜んち

    ~nchi

    someone's place (= no uchi)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    今日、俺んちでゲームしない？

    Wanna play games at my place today?

  • 10JLPT N4

    超

    ちょう · chou

    super (Tokyo youth favorite)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    これ、超うまいんだけど！

    This is like, super good!

  • 11JLPT N3

    〜さ

    ~sa

    filler ending (Tokyo)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    昨日さ、渋谷で偶然先輩に会ってさ。

    So yesterday, I ran into my senpai in Shibuya...

  • 12JLPT N3

    べらぼう

    berabou

    outrageous (old Edo flavor)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    このうなぎ、べらぼうにうまいね。

    This eel is outrageously good.

  • 13JLPT N3

    かったるい

    kattarui

    sluggish / tiresome (Kanto)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    暑くて何もかもかったるい。

    It's so hot everything feels like a chore.

  • 14JLPT N3

    まったり

    mattari

    chilled-out / mellow

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    休日はカフェでまったりします。

    On days off I chill at a cafe.

  • 15JLPT N3

    〜くない？

    ~kunai?

    don't you think...? (youth rising tone)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    この曲、よくない？

    This song's great, don't you think?

  • 16JLPT N3

    ウケない

    ukenai

    falls flat (joke)

    casualTokyo speech
    Example

    そのダジャレ、全然ウケないよ。

    That pun totally falls flat.

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