Regardless as to whether you’re a native Japanese speaker or starting out learning Japanese, let’s face it, learning Japanese can be especially confusing. That is why, here on CostumeGrab, we created this lovely Japanese anime glossary guide. So it doesn't have to be!

With that being said, here are ten anime words you should know before coming to a convention.

Shonen (少年) vs. Shoujo (少女)

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Literally translated as “young year” in Japanese, the word, shonen often refers to anime that is geared towards boys. These animes can be action animes such as Naruto, adventure such as Jing and the King of Bandits, mecha such as Gundam, and many others. It can also refer to any anime that is appropriate for teenagers of all shapes and sizes. So don’t feel limited to a specific type of anime.

Meanwhile, literally translated as “young female”, the word, shoujo often refers to anime that is geared towards young teenage girls. These animes can be romantic comedies such as Ouran High School Host Club, slice-of-life animes such as Konfuku Graffiti Girl(aka. Gourmet Graffiti Girl), mahou shoujo(aka. magical girl) animes such as Sailor Moon, and so on. Of course, if you’re a boy and you enjoy watching shoujo anime, there is no shame in that. Let’s face it, for two shoujo animes, Fruits Basket and Madoka Magical Girl are both pretty darn awesome.

And no, Mom and Dad, anime is NOT just for kids to watch. Even grownups can watch anime too. :)

Yaoi(やおい) vs.Yuri(ゆり)

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Fortunately, with increased acceptance of gay marriage across the world, yaoi and yuri animes are not quite as taboo as they were back in the 70s and 80s. So to any of you Revolutionary Girl Utena and Free! Fans out there, congratulations! More power to you guys in the anime world.

For those of you who aren’t familiar as to what these two means, while yaoi refers to “boy-on-boy love”, yuri on the other hand refers to “girl-on-girl love”. In other words, both words refer to couples of the same gender who love each other very much.

While these words are often associated with same-sex couples doing more than holding hands and kissing in public, trust us, folks, it’s not as bad as any of you would think.

Sensei(先生) vs. Senpai(先輩)

Image via[https://pixy.org/4670188/]

Otherwise pronounced as xiansheng in Mandarin Chinese, sensei basically means “teacher” or “master” in Japanese. While the first character, 先, means “first”, the second character, 生, means “birth” or “life.” Altogether, sensei literally means, “The first born” or “The one most experienced in life.”

As for the word, senpai, which is pronounced as xianbei in Mandarin Chinese, it basically means “senior” or “mentor.” If often refers to an older student who has more experience and in some cases, knowledge. While the first character, 先, means “first”, the second character, 輩, means “class” or “generation.” In other words, the word, senpai, literally translates to “of the first generation (or class).”

In most animes, a senpai is often portrayed as the oldest, most productive, intelligent, male student in the class.

So the next time that you see someone wearing a button or a shirt that reads, “Notice me senpai!” at an anime convention, at least you would get the reason why(in more than one way, anyway).

Loli((ロリ) vs. Lolicon(ロリコン)

A borrowed word from Vladimir Nabokov’s most famous/infamous novel, Lolita, a loli refers to a girl who either looks young for her age or has not yet reached the age of consent.

As for the word, lolicon, it basically refers to type of media that makes young anime girls look and act mature for their age. While this idea may seem pretty disturbing to most anime viewers, trust me when I say that it’s not as bad as you would think. After all, even in the anime world, young girls have to give consent as to who they want to consider their senpai.

And no, the word, lolita, has nothing to do with the book or the concept of lolis and lolicons. Please read our previous blog for more details.

GRAMMAR LESSON TIME!

ます(Masu) vs. ました (Mashita)

While both endings in Japanese culture are used to make action verbs more polite, while masu refers to actions that are done in the present, mashita refers to actions that were done in the past.

For instance, let’s suppose that you ask your fellow cosplay friend if you could borrow his or her adorable animal ears. After explaining to your friend why you want the ears, your friend gives you the ears and asks to have the ears back once you’re done with them. To thank your friend for the ears, you would say, “Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます)” because the kind act had just been completed.

Now let’s suppose that you managed to return the ears safe and sound with maybe a scratch or two and a spot of missing fur on it (shhhhhh…). To thank your friend again for letting you borrow the ears, you would say, “arigatou gozaimashita (ありがとう ございました)”, because the previous favor or action had just been completed.

In other words, assuming that you’ve already fulfilled your promise to return the ears to your friend, only then could you close the deal by saying, “arigatou gozaimashita” to your friend.

Still confused? Well don’t worry, as long as you remember to say, “thank you” in Japanese for letting you borrow someone’s cosplay item, you should be fine. :)

Tsundere(ツンデレ) vs. Yandere(ヤンデレ)

Both of these words are often used in the anime world to describe people who don’t always know how to express their love and/or infatuation towards someone. However, while tsunderes tend to hide away their true feelings for someone by acting mean and angry towards both the person whom he or she loves, as well as those around him or her. (usually, not to the extent of killing that person), yanderes tend to act nice on the surface, but watch out! If you miss with whoever it is that the yandere loves, he or she will go to the point of going on a killing spree just to protect who he or she loves.

So if you ever come across either a tsundere or worse, a yandere in real life, watch out!

Ecchi(エッチ) vs. Hentai(変態 or へんたい)

Based off the word, ero(エロ), which means Eros(as in Cupid, the son of the Roman goddess, Venus) in Japanese, the word, ecchi refers to anyone who likes to touch people inappopriately. In other words, a pervert...

Meanwhile, short for hentai seiyoku(変態性欲, a preverse sexual desire), the word, hentai, refers to a pervert as well.

In other words, both ecchi and hentai refer to people who have sexual desires towards one or more people.

Although both ecchi and hentai can refer to people who are complete perverts, in the United States, hentai basically means a genre of anime related to pornography. So don’t feel bad if you get the two mixed up. In Japan, either word is right, regardless.

Sushi(寿司) vs. Sashimi(刺身)

Understandably, because both food items start with the word, “s”, it is pretty easy to get the two mixed up. However, as a general rule of thumb, while sushi is a popular Japanese fast food that contains rice, fish, and nori(which is a type of seaweed), sashimi, on the other hand, is a fancier food item that is nothing more than sliced raw fish or meat.

As for me, I’ll take my yummy slices of raw fish in both forms, thank you very much!

Image via[https://media.giphy.com/media/3orif8LaR0EWPbIlKo/giphy.gif]

Sumimasen(すみません) vs. gomennasai(ごめんなさい)

Generally speaking, both of these words can translate to the word, “sorry.” However, while sumimasen is used to say, “Excuse me” or “Pardon”, gomennasai literally translates to the word, “sorry!” and therefore is for something more serious.

But don’t worry! Regardless as to which word you use, your actions of having accidentally ruined your friend’s favorite cosplay ears(and other accessories) will be forgiven.

Kimono(着物,) vs. Yukata(浴衣)

Photo taken by Kentaro Sensei of The Way of Tea in Tennessee

Translated as “word object” in Japanese, the word, kimono, refers to a garment, typically made out of silk, that comprises of multiple layers of fabrics. Typically, when you go to weddings, ceremonies, and sometimes, winter festivals(among other important events), you see people wearing these.

Meanwhile, translated as “bath robe” or “bath garment” in Japanese, the word, yukata refers to a garment that is often made of cotton and generally consist of one or two layers of fabric. They are usually a little more simple than kimonos.

Typically, when you go to Japanese hot springs and summer festivals, you see a lot of people wearing these garments given how light and comfortable they are.

J-pop vs. K-pop

Let’s face it, they’re both beloved by anime fans alike. However, while one is popular in Japan, the other is popular in Korea(more specifically, Korea). That is why J-pop is short for “Japanese pop/popular music” whereas K-pop is short for “Korean pop/popular music.”

BONUS!!!!

Image via[https://media.giphy.com/media/SjzPQjFD6yu9G/giphy.gif]

Domo vs. Domoarigatou vs. Domoarigatougozimasu

By itself, Domo can be used to say, “Hey!”, “Thanks!”, “Good!”, “Okay!” or even “Bye!”

However, when paired with the phrase, “Domoarigatou,” it basically means, “Thank you!”

Meanwhile, the phrase, “Domoarigatougozimasu”, translates to “thank you very much!”

Conclusion:

So tell us fellow otakus, what is your favorite Japanese word out of the bunch? What words do you think that we should incorporate into our blog next time? Did our grammar section helped you any in learning everything there is to know about Japanese grammar?

If you’re interested in learning more about Japanese grammar/vocabulary, please let me or anyone else on Costume Grab know.

Image via[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ファイル:Wakamaru_shaking_hands.jpg]