Japanese Slang for Gen Z: Speak Like a Local

If you only learn Japanese from textbooks, you might find yourself completely lost in a conversation with young Japanese people. Just like English, Japanese is evolving rapidly, driven by social media and internet culture. Here is a guide to some of the most common slang terms used by Gen Z in Japan today.

1. Kusa (草)

In English, we say “LOL.” In Japan, people used to type “www” to represent laughter (as it looks like wavy lines of grass). Eventually, people just started using the Kanji for “Grass” (草 - Kusa) to mean “that’s hilarious.”

2. Egui (えぐい)

Originally meaning “harsh” or “nasty,” it is now used to mean something “incredible” or “insane,” in either a good or bad way. It’s similar to “sick” in English.

3. Emashii (エモい)

Derived from the English word “Emotional.” It describes a feeling of nostalgia, melancholy, or a profound aesthetic vibe. A sunset over a Tokyo alleyway is “Emo-i.”

4. Manji (卍)

Used by high schoolers to mean “I’m pumped” or “Let’s go!” It has no religious meaning in this context; it’s purely about energy and hype. (Note: Be careful with the visual, as it looks like a swastika, which is also a Buddhist symbol in Japan).

Slang for Oshare, meaning stylish or fashionable.

Conclusion

Slang is the heart of living language. While you should use Keigo in formal situations, knowing these terms will help you understand the “real” Japan on social media.