Authors: Dirty Japanese: Everyday Slang From "What's Up?" to "F*%# Off!"
Matt Fargo (3 page)
A slangier way of saying “hello” would be ossu. Like its English counterpart “what’s up,” ossu has an infinite number of variations. Ossu was originally an incredibly formal word, the kind of thing that a soldier would say to a drill sergeant—like: “SIR YES SIR!” But in a slang context, ossu comes across as a silly way to say “hi.” Here’s how two friends might greet each other, for example:
Good morning / Good eveningWhattup! (greeting)
ossu
ossu
‘Sup. (response)
ussu
or
Whazzap! (greeting)
uissū
ussu
orWhazzap! (greeting)
uissū
Whazzaaaaaaap!!! (response)
ussussu
ussussu
ohayō / kombanwa
There are also informal variations on “good morning” and “good evening”:
Long time no seeGood morning, Sunshine!
ohhā
ohhā
G’morning!
ohayōn
ohayōn
Evenin’
konbancha
konbancha
ohisashiburi
As in English, the next part of a greeting usually involves inquiring about the other person’s well-being.
Long time no see!
ohisa
ohisa
How’s it hanging?
chōshi dōyo?
chōshi dōyo?
It’s hanging.
bochibochi denna
bochibochi denna
How you been?
ogenko?
ogenko?
Same as always, man.
ai kawarazu dayo
ai kawarazu dayo
And just as fat as always.
ai kawarazu debu dashi
ai kawarazu debu dashi
And you’re just as retarded as always.
omae wa ai kawarazu aho dashi
omae wa ai kawarazu aho dashi
Yo, guys!
yō omaera
yō omaera
Hey.
yā
yā
It’s been a while.
hisa bisa dana
hisa bisa dana
What’s the word?
saikin dōyo?
saikin dōyo?
Same old bullshit.
dōmokōmo nēyo
dōmokōmo nēyo
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