{"id":99906,"date":"2023-07-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=99906"},"modified":"2023-07-07T02:59:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T02:59:08","slug":"differences-in-anime-japanese-and-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/differences-in-anime-japanese-and-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Differences between Japanese in anime and real life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re a fan of anime and have watched the latest season of Dr. Stone, you’ve probably heard the protagonist, Zenku, saying the phrase \u201c<\/span>sosoru-ze, kore wa.<\/span><\/i>\u201d (\u5506\u308b\u305c\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f, this is exhilarating). <\/span>
This is one example of anime-specific Japanese that you will not hear in real life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you watch different genres of anime, you have most likely noticed that every fandom has its own set of specific vocabulary not seen elsewhere. From One Piece (\u30ef\u30f3\u30d4\u30fc\u30b9) to Violet Evergarden (\u30d0\u30a4\u30aa\u30ec\u30c3\u30c8\u30a8\u30f4\u30a1\u30fc\u30ac\u30fc\u30c7\u30f3), almost every anime is guilty of adding nonsensical phrases and over-the-top lines to give anime characters personality. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we will look at some examples of what kind of Japanese is typical for anime Japanese and compare it to real life Japanese. Read on to learn more!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Japanese in anime different from real life Japanese?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are using anime to learn Japanese, it’s important to understand that Japanese in anime does not always reflect the language that is spoken in real life. Some reasons that anime characters may use uncommon vocabulary are:<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Time period<\/b>: If the storyline is set during the Edo period or other older periods, then it makes sense for the characters to use terminology common during that era.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personality<\/b>: To lift a certain personality trait such as making a character cuter, it is common to let them use certain words and speak in a certain way.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting<\/b>: If the anime takes place, within the aristocratic quarters of a foreign country, the writers may reflect this by using over-the-top formal Japanese.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nationality<\/b>: When the character is a non-native Japanese, this is often reflected by letting the character speak Japanese like a three-year-old with a catastro<\/span>phic intonation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Japanese<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some characteristics of Japanese in anime<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating fiction such as manga and anime is all about being creative, not least with the language. In this way, new ways of speaking unique Japanese are born with every new work. Let\u2019s take a look at some examples from different franchises on how Japanese in anime differs from real-life Japanese!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding a nonsensical sentence-final word<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More often than not you will find that anime characters end their sentences with something that makes the character unique but doesn\u2019t make sense in a real-life context. The most famous example is probably Naruto adding \u201c<\/span>Dattebayo<\/span><\/i>\u201d (\u3060\u3063\u3066\u3070\u3088), which doesn\u2019t mean anything.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some lines from some anime characters in different franchises, and what their counterpart is in regular Japanese:<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Example 1:<\/b> Beatrice from Re:zero kara hajimaru isekai seikatsu (episode 36)<\/b>
<\/b>
<\/span>Beatrice tends to add the sentence-final particle \u201c-<\/span>kashira<\/span><\/i>\u201d, which is the more feminine version of \u201ckana\u201d. The word adds uncertainty to the statement and is often translated as \u201cI wonder\u201d.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>D\u014d suru tsumori <\/span><\/i>kashira<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i>
<\/span>\u3069\u3046\u3059\u308b\u3064\u3082\u308a\u304b\u3057\u3089\u3002<\/span>
<\/span>What do you intend to do? (I wonder).<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Note that this sounds weird because Beatrice is saying this directly to Subaru, but in reality, using kashira in this way makes it sound like she is talking to herself. Here is what you would say in day-to-day Japanese:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u014d suru tsumori nano.<\/span><\/i>
<\/span>\u3069\u3046\u3059\u308b\u3064\u3082\u308a\u306a\u306e\uff1f<\/span>
<\/span>What do you intend to do?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 2: Bartolomeo from One Piece Film: Red<\/b>
<\/span>
<\/span>Bartolomeo has the stereotype of a \u201ccountry bumpkin\u201d with a unique speech style where he ends his sentences with \u201c-be\u201d or “-dabe”. This is a copula that originates from northeastern Japanese dialects.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shitteta nara hayaku itte hoshikatta <\/span><\/i>be<\/i><\/b>!<\/span>
<\/span>\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u305f\u306a\u3089\u65e9\u304f\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u6b32\u3057\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3079\uff01<\/span>
<\/span>If you knew it I wish you would\u2019ve told me sooner!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While using \u201cda be\u201d isn\u2019t completely obsolete, and for example still somewhat common among male youth in Yokohama, it is probably nothing you wouldn\u2019t say unless you were in a very specific situation. The equivalent in regular Japanese is:<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Shitteta nara hayaku itte hoshikatta\u2019<\/span><\/i>n da<\/i><\/b>!<\/span><\/i>
<\/span>\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u305f\u306a\u3089\u65e9\u304f\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u6b32\u3057\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3093\u3060\uff01<\/span>
<\/span>If you knew it I wish you would\u2019ve told me sooner!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Japanese<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Using Japanese that is over-the-top<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another thing you often encounter in spoken Japanese in anime and manga is the usage of exaggerated language. The purpose is to strengthen the image of a certain stereotype such as a \u201cbad-boy\u201d or an \u201caristocrat\u201d. Note that <\/span>this kind of Japanese is not technically wrong<\/b>, it\u2019s just Japanese that you would very rarely use in a real-life context unless you maybe want to pick a fight with someone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at some examples!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 1: Yamato from One Piece (episode 1057)<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this episode, a female character says the following line:<\/span>
<\/span>Nakama da to omowanaide <\/span><\/i>kure<\/i><\/b>.
<\/span><\/i>\u4ef2\u9593\u3060\u3068\u601d\u308f\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u308c\u3002
<\/span>Don\u2019t think of me as your ally.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is technically not wrong in any way, but using the word \u201ckure\u201d instead of \u201ckudasai\u201d gives it a condescending tone, and I would not recommend using this word even towards your best friends.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 2: Ken Ry\u016bguji from Tokyo Revengers (episode 3)<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>The following line is spoken when the protagonist tries to save his friend from a bully.
<\/span>Dare ni mukatte kuchi kiite\u2019n <\/span><\/i>da yo<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i>
<\/b>\u8ab0\u306b\u5411\u304b\u3063\u3066\u53e3\u304d\u3044\u3066\u3093\u3060\u3088\u3002<\/span>
<\/span>Who do you think you are talking to?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes this sentence sound so aggressive is the suffix \u201cda yo\u201d. Using this word in itself is no problem. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, there is nothing weird in saying <\/span>
<\/span>Ky\u014d wa nichiy\u014dbi da yo<\/span><\/i>. (\u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u65e5\u66dc\u65e5\u3060\u3088, today is Sunday). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, using \u201cda yo\u201d when questioning another person sounds very aggressive and is not recommended in any circumstance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 3: Violet from Violet Evergarden (episode 1)<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, let\u2019s take a quick look at how Violet from Violet Evergarden speaks Japanese.<\/span>
<\/span>
First of all, Violet is seen as an \u201celegant lady\u201d, by her excessive usage of keig<\/i><\/span>o <\/span><\/i>(\u656c\u8a9e, formal Japanese). Of course, keigo is widely used in Japan, but what makes it unnatural is the excessive use, and how she uses it towards anyone, even small children.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, Violet is also portrayed as an automaton doll with difficulties understanding human feelings. One example is:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taipu-raitaa nara <\/span><\/i>s\u014dsa-kan\u014d<\/i><\/b> desu.<\/span><\/i>
<\/span>\u30bf\u30a4\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30bf\u30fc\u306a\u3089\u64cd\u4f5c\u53ef\u80fd\u3067\u3059\u3002
<\/span>I\u2019m able to operate a typewriter<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The excessive use of <\/span>jukugo <\/span><\/i>(\u719f\u8a9e, words consisting of two- or more kanji) makes the sentence sound like written Japanese which you would typically find in an essay. Excessive usage of jukugo instead of regular words is a common practice within fiction to portray non-human characters such as robots, or AI who lack human emotions. A more natural way of saying the same sentence would be:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taipu-raitaa nara <\/span><\/i>s\u014dsa-dekimasu<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i>
<\/span>\u30bf\u30a4\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30bf\u30fc\u306a\u3089\u64cd\u4f5c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span>
<\/span>I can use a typewriter.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unusual first and second-person pronouns<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, let\u2019s take a look at how anime characters use first and second-person pronouns. First person pronouns are ways to address oneself (I, me) and there are a lot of them in Japanese. Some common examples are <\/span>watashi<\/span><\/i> (\u79c1), <\/span>boku<\/span><\/i> (\u50d5), and <\/span>ore<\/span><\/i> (\u4ffa)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second-person pronouns are as you may have guessed, ways to address another person (You). Some common examples are <\/span>anata <\/span><\/i>(\u8cb4\u65b9), <\/span>kimi<\/span><\/i> (\u541b), and<\/span> omae<\/span><\/i> (\u304a\u524d).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we continue, it needs to be said that the most common way to address a person in Japan is by avoiding the word \u201cyou\u201d altogether and instead use the person’s name together with an honorific such as -san (\u3055\u3093), -kun (\u541b), -chan (\u3061\u3083\u3093) or sama (\u69d8). If you want to know more about honorifics, check out our article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different pronouns have different nuances in Japanese. That is one reason why there are so many of them. For example, using <\/span>atashi<\/span><\/i> instead of<\/span> watashi<\/span><\/i> makes you sound more feminine. Using <\/span>omae<\/span><\/i> instead of the person’s name makes it sound more rough or confrontational.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are a lot of different pronouns that are rare in day-to-day Japanese. For example see the following sentence by a female character, Power, from Chainsaw Man (Episode 5).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akuma-me, washi ni bibitte ukiyatta wai<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
<\/span>\u60aa\u9b54\u3081\u3001\u308f\u3057\u306b\u30d3\u30d3\u30c3\u3066\u6d6e\u304d\u3084\u3063\u305f\u308f\u3044\u3002<\/span>
<\/span>Damn demon, got scared of me and started floating.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we have the pronoun <\/span>washi <\/span><\/i>which is rarely heard in day-to-day Japanese and is a pronoun used by older men towards people of the same rank or lower. Similarly, the suffix <\/span>wai<\/span><\/i> is not modern Japanese and is most commonly used by fictional characters of old age.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some other examples of stereotyped pronouns in anime.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First-person pronouns:<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Warawa<\/span><\/i> (\u59be \/ \u7ae5) – Used to portray a \u201cmistress\u201d.<\/span>
<\/span>Sessha <\/span><\/i>(\u62d9\u8005) – Used by samurais as a first pronoun.<\/span>
<\/span>Wagahai<\/span><\/i> (\u543e\u8f29) – Commonly used to portray animals and has a nuance of self-importance. Another word often used is <\/span>oira<\/span><\/i> (\u304a\u3044\u3089).<\/span>
<\/span>Yo<\/span><\/i> (\u4f59) – Used to portray a character of very high status such as a king.
<\/span>Kochitora <\/span><\/i>(\u6b64\u65b9\u4eba\u7b49) –<\/span> Used during the Edo-period as either \u201cI\u201d or \u201cwe\u201d, but is nowadays sometimes used to portray thugs or yakuza.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second-person pronouns:<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soregashi<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\u67d0<\/span><\/i>) – Commonly used to portray a samurai. Another word that is often used for this purpose is <\/span>sonata <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>\u5176\u65b9<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
<\/span><\/i>Onore <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>\u5df1<\/span><\/i>) – An aggressive or rude way to address someone
<\/span>Onushi <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>\u304a\u4e3b<\/span><\/i>) – Used in large variations in fiction by animals, wizards, and celestial beings, among others.<\/span>
<\/span><\/i>Kiden <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>\u8cb4\u6bbf<\/span><\/i>) – a respectful way to address someone among nobles<\/span>
<\/span><\/i>Nanji<\/span><\/i> (\u6c5d) – Used by ancient beings such as gods or ancestors<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more Japanese with Go! Go! Nihon<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The topic of Japanese in anime is vast, and it is impossible to cover the entire scope of differences from day-to-day Japanese. But we hope that you have gotten an understanding of what kind of differences are common. If you can come up with other examples, share them below!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to learn real Japanese and speak with real people, we offer a completely free service to help you take a language trip to Japan and study Japanese at one of our partner language schools. For more information, <\/span>contact us<\/span><\/a> today!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to learn more about<\/span> Japanese culture or life in Japan – feel free to follow our <\/span>blog<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a fan of anime and have watched the latest season of Dr. Stone, you’ve probably heard the protagonist, Zenku, saying the phrase \u201csosoru-ze, kore wa.\u201d (\u5506\u308b\u305c\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f, this is exhilarating). This is one example of anime-specific Japanese that you will not hear in real life. If you watch different genres of anime, you have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":100527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[404],"tags":[656,666,661],"class_list":["post-99906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learn-japanese","tag-animation","tag-language","tag-pop-culture"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99906"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101470,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99906\/revisions\/101470"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}