Japanese culture is known for its love of all things considered “cute,” so much that the Japanese word kawaii (cute) has entered the popular lexicon! Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Japanese language has many words that may sound cute to English speakers. Some of these cute Japanese words may be English-based words with Japanese pronunciation (a cognate), slang words, and various onomatopeias.
In future Japanese conversations, try incorporating a couple of these words to add some fun! If you’d like to know other useful expressions for interactions with native Japanese people, try learning through Rosetta Stone. The intuitive, immersive method helps you learn words and phrases in a way that sticks better than just memorization.
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Things cute Japanese words might have in common with English
You’ll find many words on this list with repeating sounds, like pika pika and tsubu tsubu. In English, these are called reduplications and we don’t have a lot of them (“bye-bye” and “choo choo” might be examples). In Japanese, though, it is common to use repetitive sounds in everyday conversation. Also, their variety of cute Japanese words that repeat is much more expansive.
Grammatically, these repetitive words can be used individually as a reaction word. To emphasize the feeling, you can add da ne after the phrase, like pika pika da ne. Other examples are included in textbooks like the Genki and Tobira series. However, there are many more–and many cute words in Japanese–to explore!
1. Yabai (やばい)
Pronunciation: yah-bai
Yabai might be the most important slang term in Japanese. While it originally meant “bad” or “dangerous,” now it has positive meanings such as “amazing” or “cool.” It can be used for almost anything as long as the feelings are strong.
The flexibility of yabai can be compared to that of “sick” in English slang. The literal meaning of sick is negative, and it can be used to indicate disgust or even to say something is “amazing” or “cool.”
Yabai is an i-adjective and will be applied that way grammatically.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 財布を無くした。やばい！ | Saifu o nakushita. Yabai! | sai-foo oh nah-koo-shtah yah-bai |
I lost my wallet. Oh no! |
| やばい人 | yabai hito | yah-bai hee-toh | a dangerous person |
| このゲームはやばい。昨日一日中やっていた | Kono geemu wa yabai. Kinou ichi nichi juu yatte ita | koh-noh gayy-moo wa yah-bai kee-nohh ee-chee nee-chee joo yah-TAY ee-tah |
This game is incredible (but also dangerously addictive). I played it all day yesterday. |
2. Meccha (めっちゃ)
Pronunciation: meh-CHAH
In contrast to yabai, meccha is straightforward slang. It simply means “very” or “extremely.” If you’re already used to the word totemo, try replacing it with meccha in your sentences. Just keep in mind that your sentences will be more casual.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| めっちゃ可愛い | Meccha kawaii | meh-CHAH kah-wah-eee | It’s very cute. |
| めっちゃ面白い | Meccha omoshiroi | meh-CHAH oh-moh-shee-roy | It’s very funny / interesting. |
| めっちゃ疲れた | Meccha tsukareta | meh-CHAH tsoo-kah-reh-tah | I’m very tired. |
3. Bimyou (微妙)
Pronunciation: bee-MYOHH
Depending on the situation, bimyou can be translated as “subtle,” “sensitive,” or “iffy.” Although it’s usually left out of textbooks, it’s a common and helpful Japanese word. You can use it when you don’t know how to express your feelings about something.
Bimyou is an na-adjective and will follow those grammar rules:
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 微妙な違いがあります | Bimyou na chigai ga arimasu | bee-MYOHH nah chee-gai gah ah-ree-mahs | There’s a subtle difference. |
| 状況は微妙です | Joukyou wa bimyou desu | johh-kyohh wah bee-MYOHH dehs | The situation is delicate. |
| 微妙な味 | Bimyou na aji | bee-MYOHH nah ah-jee | The taste is iffy. |
4. Pika pika (ピカピカ)
Pronunciation: pee-kah pee-kah
This fun Japanese word refers to something “gleaming” or “shining,” especially after being polished. Those familiar with the Pokemon franchise may find this word familiar. The mascot’s name is Pikachu. Since pika pika can be used as the sound for an electric spark, it became part of Pikachu’s name. The chu part is the sound a mouse makes, essentially the Japanese equivalent of “squeak.”
Most often, pika pika describes something freshly polished or brand new.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| ピカピカの新しい靴 | pika pika no atarashii kutsu | pee-kah pee-kah noh ah-tah-rah-sheee koo-tsoo | shiny new shoes |
| 床をピカピカに磨きます | Yuka o pika pika ni migakimasu | yoo-kah oh pee-kah pee-kah nee mee-gah-kee-mahs | I will polish my floor so it shines. |
>> Find out how long it takes to learn Japanese!
5. Kira kira (キラキラ)
Pronunciation: kee-rah kee-rah
At first glance, this word is similar to pika pika, as kira kira means “sparkling” or “glittering.” However, they are used in different situations, making this a good chance to explore the bimyou (subtle) differences in the examples below.
There’s also an interesting trend of parents giving their children quirky names, known as kira kira names that “sparkle” more than the average name. Many of these names resemble little of a traditional name, such as Jedi (from Star Wars), Bullet Train (shinkansen), Sadness (kanashimi), Pikachu, and Drool (yodare). There are too many unusual kira kira names to list, but these give you an idea.
Used in the standard way, kira kira is often paired with the verbs kagayaku or hikaru, which are synonyms meaning “to shine” or “to glitter.”
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| キラキラ輝くダイヤモンド | Kira kira kagayaku daiyamondo | kee-rah kee-rah kah-gah-yah-koo dai-yah-mohn-doh | A diamond that glitters brightly. |
| 星が空でキラキラ光っていました | Hoshi ga sora de kira kira hikatte imashita | hoh-shee gah soh-rah deh kee-rah kee-rah h
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