Romaji Guide


How to interpret those 'funny words' I am known to use...  (In my fics!)

A quick Romaji Guide!
Here is some of the Romaji I use most often, and their English counterparts.  BTW, if you know better, PLEASE tell me!  I make absolutely no claim that this information is 100% accurate, as I have gleaned it from a number of sources!  And as in English, words can have entirely different meanings depending on usage.   This is an ongoing project, so if I've forgotten any, or you'd like to see one listed, just let me know!


	In Japan, Family Names are first when a person is being referred to or listed, unless
	by someone very familiar with them.  Ex: 'Ranma Saotome' would be 'Saotome Ranma'.

	'-san', '-sama', '-kun', '-chan' - Honorifics; used to indicate the level of familiarity and 
	respect between people. '-san' and '-kun' are casual, '-sama' indicates fairly high respect.
	'-chan' is either casual or affectionate, and is used most often between girls, adults and 
	children, or even as a 'jab' at someone tough or macho.  (Which is why Ranma doesn't like 
	'Ranma-chan' in the shows).  When one is attached to a given name instead of the Family 
	name, that shows a higher level of familarity.  If one is not used, the speakers are usually
	very good friends or close family.

	Ai shiteru - I love you
	Aijou - Beloved daughter
	Anata - Term of strong/intimate affection, or great familiarity, if
		addressing someone by it.  Wife/gf would use this.  Also 'you' (female)
	An'ta - short form of 'Anata'
	Ano - pause word (like 'Um...')
	Ara - An expression of mild surprise.  Also 'ara ara' (oh my).
	Arigato - Thank you
	Arigato gozaimashite - Thank you very much (formal)
	Arigato gozaimasu - Thank you very much (formal)
	Atashi - I (female)
	Atashi mo - Me, too (female)
	Atashi wa - I am (female, polite)
	Baka - idiot/dummy (affectionate or disparaging, depending on use - lit: fool)
	Bakayarou - along the lines of 'stupid bastard'
	Boku wa - I am (female)
	Daijobu (desu) - it's/I'm okay, it's/I'm fine (depending on usage)
	Desu - an 'article word' (formality of the language)
	Domo - Thanks (when combined with Arigato, *very* thankful)
	Eto - pause word
	Gambatte ne - Have good luck
	Genki de ne - Take Care
	Gomen (nasai) (ne) - (I'm) sorry
	Hai - yes
	Hajimemashite - Pleased to meet you
	Hentai - pervert
	Ichuunoonna - sweetheart/girlfriend
	Ichidan - more/much more/still more/all the more/a part (of a talk)
	Iinazuke - fiancee
	Ikujinonai - spineless/timid/cowardly
	Iie - no
	Joseizou - female image
	Kaimu - nothing
	Kajin - female beauty/beautiful woman
	Kawaii - pretty/cute/darling
	Kigai - danger or 'strong spirit'
	Ko-ban - rough approximation of 'coven'
	Konbanwa - Good Evening (Greeting used after 5:00pm)
	Koneko - literally, 'kitten' (can be used as either affectionate or disparaging name)
	Konnichiwa - Good Day (Greeting used all day - Informal)
	Kono Yarou - a cuss-out (related to bakayarou)
	Maa - expression of frustration (male)
	Masaka - literally 'impossible' "this can't be happening"
	Mata ne/Ja ne/Ja mata/Ja - goodbye, seeya, TTYL, etc.
	Minna - everyone
	Moshi, moshi - Greeting, most often to a phone caller
	Mou - expression of frustration (female)
	Musume - my daughter (used when speaking about her to another)
	Musume-san - your daughter (when the speaker is referring to a friend's daughter)
	Na - hm? (male)
	Nani - what
	Nani kore - what's that?/what is this?
	Ne - hm? (female)
	Ohaiyo - Good Morning (used before 10:00am)
	Ojousan - used when speaking to a young lady who is a stranger
	Okaasan - mother
	Okusama - (Ma'am) used when speaking to an older woman who is a stranger
	Omae- literally 'you', familiar.
	Onna - girl/female (girl-Ranma = onna-Ranma)
	Ore wa - I am (male, crude)
	Otoko - boy/male (boy-Ranma = otoko-Ranma)
	Otousan - father
	Oyasumi (nasai) - good night
	Sayonara - goodbye (final/definite)
	Shimata, Chikushou, Kuso - Cuss words, in increasing order of severity.
	Suki da you - I love you
	Sumimasen - excuse me (also used to summon waiter/waitress in restaurant)
	Wakaranai - I don't understand.
	Wakatta - roughly, 'okay' or 'all right' literally 'I understand'.
	Wasurerarenai - "I'll never forget you."
	Watashi - I (general)
	Watashi mo - me, too (male)
	Watashi no musume - my daughter (used when speaking about her to another)
	Watashi wa - I am (polite)
	


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