Expressing Emotions in Japanese

two female friends walking with shopping bags — Michael H / Getty Images

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Updated on November 04, 2019

You will need quite a bit of experience in, and understanding of, a culture to speak Japanese naturally. If the proper expression does not come to mind instantly, it will sound like you are reading it. When you have a chance to hear the Japanese speaking, listen carefully to the way they speak as well as to their facial expressions. If you are interested in these exclamatory expressions, Japanese comic books (manga), which include many of them, might be good a resource to explore.

Here are some of the widely used expressions. Remember that exclamations are used almost always in the informal style.

A, Aa あ、ああ Oh.	A, nagareboshi da! あ、流れ星だ！ Oh, that's a shooting star!
Aree, Oya, Maa あれえ、おや、まあ Oh my! Gee!	Maa, kirei na nagame nee! まあ、きれいな眺めねえ｡ Oh my, what a nice view! ("Maa" is used by women only.)
E え What?	E, Shigoto yameta no. え、仕事やめたの｡ What, you quit your job?
Masaka! まさか！ No kidding!	Masaka sonna koto ga aruhazu nai yo! まさかそんなことがあるはずないよ！ That can't be!
Hee! へえ！ Really!	Hee, sore wa yokatta ne! へえ、それは良かったね！ Wow, that's great!
Naruhodo なるほど I see.	Naruhodo, sou iu koto datta no ka. なるほど、そういうことだったのか｡ I see, that's the way it was.
Yare yare やれやれ Oh boy!	Yare yare, nante koto da! やれやれ、なんてことだ！ Oh boy, what a disaster!