5 Japanese Phrases Every Anime Fan Should Know

Introduction

If you’re an anime fan, you’ve probably heard some Japanese words again and again — like “Itadakimasu?” or “Sugoi!”
These words sound exciting, but do you really know what they mean?
I’m both Japanese and an English learner, and I often come across similar phrases in English TV series.
For those experiences, I want to share some typical Japanese phrases from anime.
Many of them are short, everyday words in Japanese that we often use unconsciously.
In this post, I’ll introduce five Japanese phrases every anime fan should know — and explain what they mean in everyday life.

“Itadakimasu!” (いただきます) – “Let’s eat!” / “Thank you for the meal”

Before eating, Japanese people say Itadakimasu.
It shows gratitude for the food and for the people who prepared it.
In my opinion, if I see an adult saying Itadakimasu loudly, I might think they are being either very polite or a little childish. However, I usually have a positive impression of this person.
I think this “childish” feeling comes from school lunch culture. Almost all Japanese students eat lunch together in one place, called kyūshoku, where teachers teach them to say Itadakimasu.
That’s why saying Itadakimasu can sometimes feel a little childish, even though it is polite and respectful.

“Ganbatte!”（がんばって） – “Do your best!” / “Good luck!”

This phrase appears in almost every anime.
It’s used when someone is facing a challenge — before a test, a match, or even a battle.
It means more than just “good luck” — it’s about giving your full effort and never giving up.
However, I sometimes feel it can sound a little irresponsible, because it puts all the pressure on the listener — like saying “you must try harder, no matter what.”
Still, for most people, Ganbatte is a positive and encouraging word, except for those who are already nervous or stressed.

“Yamete kudasai!”（やめてください） – “Please stop!”

This phrase is often used in intense or funny anime scenes.
It literally means “please stop,” but the emotion depends on the situation — it can sound serious, desperate, or even playful.
In real life, Japanese people rarely say this phrase, because we hardly face situations where we need to.
If someone actually says “Yamete kudasai” in public, it would either sound like a joke or a real emergency.
In short, it’s a phrase that can mean anything from “stop, you’re annoying” to “please, I’m in trouble!” depending on how it’s said.

“Yabai!”（やばい） – “Crazy!” / “Awesome!” / “Dangerous!”

I think this word is hard to explain exactly, because its meaning is ambiguous.
In anime, characters often shout “Yabai!” when something shocking, dangerous, or exciting happens.
For example, if a character sees a huge monster, they might yell, “Yabai!”
In real life, Japanese people use “Yabai” more casually.
It can mean “oh no,” “this is bad,” or even “that’s amazing,” depending on the tone.
For example, a young girl might say “Yabai” when she eats a delicious sweet.
Or she might say “Yabai” if she meets a crazy person trying to scare her in a dark alley.
It can have multiple meanings, and we often say it without thinking.
So, it’s really hard to explain exactly what “Yabai” means in every situation.

“Sugoi!”（すごい！） – “Amazing!” / “Wow!”

This word expresses your honest feelings in many situations.
In real life, Japanese people use “Sugoi” much more casually.
We usually say it quietly to express “Wow, that’s amazing,” rather than shouting dramatically.
For example, if you bobbled a baseball but finally caught it, I would say, “Sugoi!”
On the other hand, I think “Sugoi” originally had a meaning closer to “scary” or “impressive in a frightening way.”
For instance, in ancient Japan, if someone encountered a ghost, they might say they felt “Sugoi.”
Today, the word usually means something like “You did a great job!” or “Honestly, that’s unbelievable!”
I naturally understand both its original meaning and its modern use.
However, younger people often don’t know its original meaning.

Conclusion

Learning a few Japanese phrases can make watching anime even more enjoyable.
You’ll start noticing the emotions behind the words and get a better understanding of Japanese culture.
So next time you watch your favorite anime, listen carefully — you might hear “Ganbatte!” or “Sugoi!” and feel a little closer to Japan.