Japanese
10 Japanese swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of Japanese expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 Japanese expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- くそ 3/5 · Vulgar
kuso
This is a coarse exclamation similar to saying 'shit' or 'damn.' It literally translates to 'excrement.'
Full entry → - 黙れ 3/5 · Vulgar
damare
It's a rude command telling someone to shut up. Literally, it means 'be silent.'
Full entry → - うるせえ 3/5 · Vulgar
urusee
It means 'noisy' and is often used as a rude way to tell someone to shut up.
Full entry → - ふざけんな 3/5 · Vulgar
fuzakenna
Literally “don't fool around”. This means 'don't mess with me' and expresses anger or frustration. It's a direct command telling someone to stop their foolishness.
Full entry → - ろくでなし 3/5 · Vulgar
rokudenashi
This refers to someone who is seen as worthless or irresponsible, essentially calling them a good-for-nothing. It carries a moral judgment about their character.
Full entry → - うんこ 1/5 · Mild
unko
This is a childish term for poop, often used in a lighthearted or comedic context.
Full entry → - しまった 1/5 · Mild
shimatta
This is an exclamation used when someone realizes they've made a mistake, similar to saying 'damn' or 'oh no.'
Full entry → - すけべ 2/5 · Coarse
sukebe
This refers to someone who is lecherous or has a dirty mind. It's often used in a teasing context.
Full entry → - 変態 3/5 · Vulgar
hentai
Literally “abnormality”. It can refer to a pervert or someone with abnormal sexual interests, and it's also used internationally to describe a genre of erotic animation. The meaning shifts based on context, whether it's about behavior, a person, or a category of media.
Full entry → - 糞食らえ 4/5 · Strong
kuso kurae
This is a strong way to tell someone to go fuck themselves, expressing anger or rejection. Literally, it translates to 'eat shit.'
Full entry →