Every language has swear words (or bad words as we like to politely refer to them) that we tend to learn and memorize better than any basic foreign language vocabulary. Why? Because it's fun, and there's no test on it and it's become quite popular in social circles. As a matter of fact, there have been books written about swearing in other languages that offer a warning not to use swear words with just anyone or else you could be insulting the wrong person.
Thus, when it comes to Japanese words, the rules of engagement for using Japanese swear words also apply. However, what's nice and what needs to be pointed out is that in Japan, swearing doesn't necessarily have the same function as they do in English because the words are not just used as words themselves but also on how they are used in context as well as the tone of the speaker.
Here are a few examples of such words:
Baka = Nitwit or Idiot
Tousakusha = Pervert.
Aho = Stupid.
Damare = Shut Up
Hetakuso = Clumsy Idiot
If you are looking to talk about making love indirectly you can use words such as asoko (there), are (that) or nani (what). In a sentence, and directly translated you could say that they did what and exposed that (hence the typical Japanese politeness and ambiguity).
In order to truly understand how Japanese swear words works, consider the fact that those who truly "swear like a sailor" are very rough and rude Japanese who are looking to rebel against the polite and status quo. Most oftentimes, you can see these folks depicted in Japanese gangster movies or TV shows late at night. Japanese soldiers too have been known to use expressions that are rough, very similar to American soldiers today when going to boot camp or issuing orders to their fleet or Calvary.
Those who want to keep the decorum will use euphemisms and subtlety and find "nice ways" to call it like it is. After all, it's what makes Japanese culture world-renowned because of such politeness. However, you have to be careful because this is where using your intuition is the key and you have to look at how it's used in context. It might sound a bit on the ambiguous side to the non-native Western Japanese learner, but to the native Japanese, they know exactly what you are talking about. - 30216
Thus, when it comes to Japanese words, the rules of engagement for using Japanese swear words also apply. However, what's nice and what needs to be pointed out is that in Japan, swearing doesn't necessarily have the same function as they do in English because the words are not just used as words themselves but also on how they are used in context as well as the tone of the speaker.
Here are a few examples of such words:
Baka = Nitwit or Idiot
Tousakusha = Pervert.
Aho = Stupid.
Damare = Shut Up
Hetakuso = Clumsy Idiot
If you are looking to talk about making love indirectly you can use words such as asoko (there), are (that) or nani (what). In a sentence, and directly translated you could say that they did what and exposed that (hence the typical Japanese politeness and ambiguity).
In order to truly understand how Japanese swear words works, consider the fact that those who truly "swear like a sailor" are very rough and rude Japanese who are looking to rebel against the polite and status quo. Most oftentimes, you can see these folks depicted in Japanese gangster movies or TV shows late at night. Japanese soldiers too have been known to use expressions that are rough, very similar to American soldiers today when going to boot camp or issuing orders to their fleet or Calvary.
Those who want to keep the decorum will use euphemisms and subtlety and find "nice ways" to call it like it is. After all, it's what makes Japanese culture world-renowned because of such politeness. However, you have to be careful because this is where using your intuition is the key and you have to look at how it's used in context. It might sound a bit on the ambiguous side to the non-native Western Japanese learner, but to the native Japanese, they know exactly what you are talking about. - 30216
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To hear the pronunciation of these and other Japanese phrases visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com
