Okay, this is a somewhat short guide to words I use in my site.. or words that help clarify what the heck someone's talking about in their anime page. I know I was totally lost for awhile when I first started getting into anime itself. These translations are pretty much outta the dictionary, if not they're a bit less wordy.. and they're in Romaji, Hepburn style.. Vowels are ah, ay, ee, oh, oo (they sound the same as vowels in Spanish.. if that helps any ^_^). The following vowel combinations are pronounced as follows: "ei" as "ay"; ai as "eye"; "ou" is the same as a regular "o" in Japanese; and "au" like the "ou" in "out." Also, whenever there's a double vowel (e.g. "Washuu"), you don't pronounce it twice, you just lengthen the vowel sound (for example, instead of saying "oh!" you'd say "Ooh!"). The vowel "u" is almost never pronounced. For example, the question "Dare desu ka?" is pronounced "Dare des ka?" Double syllables found in words like "kokkai" are pronounced similar to the way you'd say "the dead dog." The consonant is pronounced twice.
When it comes to words with "ou" as the ending, I tend to drop the "u" because it doesn't make a difference in pronunciation. It does, however, affect whether or not you'll find it in a Japanese/English dictionary. Because of this, all words that would be found ending with an "ou" in the dictionary will be written both with and without the "u."
anime :: the word in Japanese for "animation"; Japanese animation; a.k.a. "Japanamation"
arigato/arigatou :: thanks; thank you
baka :: foolhardy; fool; idiot; stupid
-chan :: a suffix you add to almost any name* when you're talking to or about a little kid. Technically, one does not call themselves "-chan", it must be said by someone else.
ecchi :: pervert/perverted
gomen :: sorry
hai :: yes
hentai= A term in the anime world generally used for adult anime (anime for audiences over 18 with sexual content). Sometimes it's used for "oversexed".. and if you're Asuka, you use it when leaving a message on Kaji's answering machine to get him to take you out somewhere.
ja (ne) :: bye; see ya
kanji :: the character that symbolizes a word used in Japanese from Chinese characters
kawaii :: cute
kokkaii :: BEYOND COOL!!!
kombanha/konbawa :: good evening
konnichiwa/kon'nichiwa :: hello/hi/good afternoon
manga :: (in layman's terms) a Japanese comic book/books; (see this page for further explanation)
mecha :: any kind of mechanical stuff (mainly machinery)
nai :: no
nani :: what?
ne :: isn't it/aren't they?; It's hot outside, ne?
ohayo (gozaimasu) :: Good morning
-sama :: a suffix added to someone's name if they are royalty or someone to be held in very high respect; e.g. the Emperor of the world would be "Emperor-sama"
-san :: a suffix used with a person's name to talk to a stranger or someone you don't know well. It's used in place of "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms." and "Miss" and is used for adults and adolescents.
shojo/shoujo :: girl
shonen/shounen :: boy
shonen/shojo manga :: manga targeted specifically for guys or girls respectively; e.g. Bishojo Senshi Sailormoon and Magic Knight Rayearth are "shojo manga" whereas Ranma 1/2 and Neon Genesis Evangelion are considered to be "shonen manga"
sugoi :: cool; awe-inspiring; wonderful; amazing; weird
tenshi :: angel
*When using "-chan", certain names that end in "u" or "a" are shortened. For example, Michiru becomes Michi-chan, Haruka becomes Haru-chan, and Mamoru becomes Mamo-chan. I'm not sure
exactly how this rule works, I think it's mainly based on what sounds right. Also, it's used mainly for little kids. That's why you don't often seen an adult character calling another one by the -chan suffix.
I Wanna Go Home!!!!