Photo: Alek 龍道家, CC BY 2.0
Anime Japanese: The Words You Hear Every Episode
A fun, live hour of Japanese for anime fans who are complete beginners. You will read your first anime words in hiragana and katakana, learn what -san, -kun, -chan, senpai and sensei really mean, and finally understand itadakimasu, tadaima, yatta, sugoi and nani. Most importantly, you will learn how anime speech differs from everyday Japanese, which words are rude or rough in real life, and the polite versions to use with real people. Every phrase comes with romanization, so you do not need to read Japanese script yet.
After this hour you can
- Read a few anime words in hiragana and katakana, like アニメ, すごい and かわいい
- Use -san, -kun, -chan, senpai and sensei the way Japanese people really do
- Say the everyday ritual phrases: itadakimasu, ittekimasu, tadaima and more
- React like a fan: yatta!, sugoi!, uso!, daijōbu?, ganbatte!
- Tell polite real-life Japanese from rough anime speech (ore, omae, baka, -ze)
- Chat politely with a Japanese person about anime
- 0′–5′
Welcome
Know how the class works and the big idea of the hour: anime Japanese vs real-life Japanese.
- 5′–12′
Kana taster: anime words in Japanese script
Recognise hiragana and katakana and read a few anime words.
アニメ
anime
say ah-nee-meh
anime, animation
マンガ / 漫画
manga
say mahn-gah
manga, comics
+ 5 more on your phrase sheet
- 12′–19′
Names and titles: -san, -kun, -chan, senpai, sensei
Use the main name endings and titles correctly, and never on your own name.
田中さん
Tanaka-san
say tah-nah-kah-sahn
Mr / Ms / Mrs Tanaka
ゆうきくん
Yūki-kun
say yoo-kee-koon
Yuki (a boy or younger man)
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 19′–26′
Daily rituals: itadakimasu, ittekimasu, tadaima
Say the set phrases for meals, leaving home and coming back.
いただきます
itadakimasu
say ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs
said before eating ("I humbly receive")
ごちそうさまでした
gochisōsama deshita
say goh-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah
said after eating ("thank you for the meal")
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 26′–34′
Reactions: yatta!, sugoi!, nani?!, ganbatte!
React like a fan and know which reactions are casual.
やった！
yatta!
say yaht-tah!
Yes! I did it! / Hooray!
すごい！
sugoi!
say soo-goh-ee!
Amazing! / Wow!
+ 7 more on your phrase sheet
- 34′–42′
Anime speech vs real life: I, you and rough endings
Recognise rough anime speech and know what to say instead.
私
watashi
say wah-tah-shee
I (polite, for everyone)
僕
boku
say boh-koo
I (boys and men, soft and friendly)
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 42′–47′
Real-life versions: talking anime politely
Chat politely with a Japanese person about anime.
そうですね。
sō desu ne.
say soh dess neh.
That's right. / I agree. / Hmm, let me see...
すごいですね！
sugoi desu ne!
say soo-goh-ee dess neh!
That's amazing! (polite)
+ 4 more on your phrase sheet
- 47′–57′
Practice: anime club meet-up
Have a short, polite chat about anime and switch between anime and real-life Japanese.
- 57′–60′
Recap and this week
Remember the key words and know what to practise this week.
If you watch anime you already know more Japanese sounds than you think: Japanese has five clear vowels and few hard sounds for English speakers. But anime characters speak in a very casual, often dramatic and sometimes rude way that real adults rarely use with people they have just met. Japanese has built-in politeness levels, so today we learn the anime words and their safe, polite real-life versions side by side. Japanese has pitch accent, not English-style stress: keep every syllable about the same length.
- Zoom on a computer, tablet or phone
- A microphone; headphones with a mic are best
- Somewhere you are happy to speak out loud
- Pen and paper, if you like. No Japanese needed.
Do I need to know any of the language already?
No. Every class is for complete beginners. We start from hello, and everything is explained in English. If you already know a little, it will be a good warm-up, but it will feel easy.
What happens in the hour?
A short welcome, then the sounds (or, for Japanese and Korean, a first look at the writing), greetings, introducing yourself, numbers to ten, ordering at a café and the phrases that get you out of trouble. Then you practise in small breakout rooms and we finish with a recap. Each class page shows the hour minute by minute.
Will I have to speak?
Yes, that is the point, but gently. Most of the time the whole class repeats together with microphones on, so nobody is singled out. Near the end you practise in breakout rooms of 2 or 3. Your camera is up to you.
How big are the classes?
At most 12 people, so everyone gets to speak and ask questions.
How much is a class?
One class is one payment, and you see the price before you pay. Nothing renews and there is no subscription.
Can I cancel or move my class?
Yes. Write to support@bunevents.com at least 24 hours before the start and we will refund you in full or move you to another time, whichever you prefer.
