Picture yourself a teen again, in school, inside a foreign language class. Which language? That’s up to you. Maybe you had Spanish in school, or French, or German. In any case, you’re bored, with nothing but a whiteboard of nouns and verbs to keep you company. But then, suddenly, a friend of yours teaches you a word in this foreign language. A word that’s bound to make the teacher mad if he hears it. A swear word, or something similar to it, that slides through your tongue playfully. You don’t know how to describe it, but it feels fun to use. Saying it feels natural, and then it hits you: This is how people really talk. A whole new world of banter suddenly opens up. Today, we want to examine that word through the lens of Japanese comedy and language.
In collaboration with Jetpac eSIM, this comedy guide is centered around how to roast in Japanese. To be more specific, we want you to have a basis for understanding it in a Japanese context. When is it appropriate to use, what words are best suited for it, and how to get your point across. Additionally, this guide can help you understand when you’re the one being roasted. As you’ll soon see, Japan is a rich culture with a lot of nuances in its language, and if you’re already learning Japanese, this will be useful to know. For the rest, this guide can help you understand anime and Japanese comedies in a better way. If this topic interests you, join us as we explore this fascinating and intriguing world.
Polite and Casual Japanese
The first step into roasting in Japanese is, for lack of a better phrase, picking your target. This is easier said than done. Japan is a country that greatly values respect, and the Japanese language reflects that to various degrees. A conversation will not be the same, in a literal sense, when speaking to someone with a higher social status. For that reason, finding the right register is key, as we ideally want to be on equal footing when roasting someone. You can, of course, approach anybody and proceed to roast them as you see fit. However, in Japan, that wouldn’t be considered roasting. That would be considered a simple insult, with no playful banter or friendliness involved. So, to put it briefly, a sign of disrespect.
To give you an example, Japanese standup comedians don’t tend to “roast” the audience as some western comedians do. They would rather tell a funny story with no interruption. Or, in the case of manzai comedians (which we’ll explore later), have two comedians present: the roaster and the roasted. In both examples, the Japanese comedian knows who they can and can’t mess with, as the Japanese language guides them through the situation.
For that reason, we must begin by first addressing the polite and casual registers in Japanese. The first one to avoid saying the wrong words, and the second one to eventually achieve the trust that makes the friendly art of roasting in Japanese possible.
Keigo (Polite Japanese)
One of the first things you’ll learn about the Japanese language is the polite form of Keigo. Keigo, also known as Honorific Language, is a system of registers used when wanting to convey respect. These are utilized when meeting someone new, elders, people with a higher social status, and so on. Given that these will make up the majority of your first Japanese interactions, it is reasonable that Keigo is among the first things to learn. Furthermore, this is the form you’ll be hearing the most in Japan, as you’ll be a stranger yourself.
Keigo itself can be divided into three different categories, all considered forms of polite speech. The first one is Teineigo, which is usually just called Keigo, as it is the most commonly used. If someone, for example, tells you to speak Japanese properly, Teineigo is probably what they mean. The second one is Sonkeigo, also known as respectful language, used to show additional respect for someone. Think of Sonkeigo as a register that elevates the listener being addressed. Finally, there’s Kenjōgo, which refers to humble language. This last one is most often used when referring to one’s action, and the implication is that they’re doing it for someone else, hence the “humble” part.
Keigo, as you might have guessed, is the form you’ll be using the vast majority of the time when speaking Japanese, at least at first. As a matter of fact, there will rarely be situations when Keigo isn’t appropriate. The one exception may be speaking Keigo with young kids, as you’re the one with the higher social status. This all being said, Keigo is not good for our roasting in Japanese analogy. For that answer, we have to look at the other half.
Tameguchi (Casual Japanese)
Once you get used to Japan and its people, you’ll be free to use the casual form of Japanese known as Tameguchi. Tameguchi refers to speaking to someone as an equal, which makes it perfect for roasting someone. Do keep in mind that using casual speech, depending on the context, can be considered impolite. This being said, many Japanese people understand that foreigners find Tameguchi easier to use, and therefore may perceive it as a rookie mistake.
Tameguchi itself utilizes a concept in the linguistic fields known as The Economy of Language. This is a broad concept I would personally encourage you to investigate, but, in short, it refers to getting your point across concisely. Shorter sentences, simple words, greater clarity. Although you might immediately think of slang, which also economizes language, that’s an entirely separate world, one worthy of its own article. In the case of Tameguchi, it economizes language in contrast to Keigo. Polite speech tends to use longer sentences to emphasize respect, whereas Tameguchi is short and to the point.
As stated before, you’ll first need to know Japan and its people before using Tameguchi freely. Imagine meeting someone who talks as if they’ve known you your whole life. It’s weird and awkward, and that’s how a Japanese person would feel if you opened up with Tameguchi. However, once you get past that and start getting a hold of the language, a whole new world of possibilities will open up. A chance to build memories, make friends, be seen as an equal by the locals—and, of course, the opportunity to roast them in the way you’ve always intended.
Japanese Swear Words
Image credit: Unsplash
Now that you know who and when it’s appropriate to roast in Japanese, let’s examine what you’re going to say. For this, let’s once again return to our early adolescence and look up a list of some commonly used Japanese swear words. You and your friend are now giggling in the back of the class, as these taboo words are about to enter your vocabulary.
If you’ve ever been roasted, or have roasted someone, you’ll know swear words are but the tip of the iceberg. Nevertheless, they’re a good starting point for the purposes of this article, as they can be used in a sentence to better get your point across.
Context and Tone
Before we get to the list itself, I can’t emphasize enough how much tone and context matters here. Swear words are swear words for a reason, they’re generally frowned upon by polite society, and should be used with caution. If the right context or tone isn’t there, they will inevitably come off as an insult.
To give you a scenario, take for example the phrase “Shut up.” Imagine you’re teasing a friend about a special someone they’ve just met. He/she is embarrassed about it, but you keep teasing, and they eventually say “oh, shut up” playfully. Now, imagine that friend is getting through a break-up, and you are trying to help them out. However, in processing their loss, they lash on to you. “Shut up” they scream, and immediately apologize, because they’ve seen you’re getting hurt by those words.
With the following list, something similar is at play. These words can be simultaneously friendly and rude, so knowing when to use them is important. Additionally, if you’re an anime fan, you might recognize some of them immediately. Let me clarify from the get-go that the context provided by the world-defying clashes of anime is completely different from real life. Their use of the words is, for the most time, justified. This being said, anime also knows when characters are allowed to use these words in a playful manner. Maybe, you didn’t even realize they were insults in the first place, as anime does this often.
With tone and context clarified, let us proceed to the list.
List of Japanese Swear Words
馬鹿 (Baka)
An all-time anime classic, Baka could be simply translated to the word “stupid”. It’s not a universal translation, as it could perfectly mean either “fool”, “dummy”, or “idiot”, but the sentiment is quite similar. Some of you might be confused to see this word here, after all, it’s used all the time in anime without consequences. This is precisely what we mean when we say context matters, as a good deal of anime are written in a way that allows for the friendly use of the word.
My personal favourite example of Baka being utilized comes from Hunter x Hunter in the character of Killua. Killua calls everyone stupid, but the tone in which he does vary quite drastically. When referring to Gon, his best friend, he extends the syllables and the word sounds almost cheerful. However, when Killua means to use it as an insult, the delivery is dry. The word is the same, but the context and tone make all the difference.
お前 (Omae) and 手前 (Temee)
Image credit: Psicocode
I am grouping these two words, Omae and Temee, together, as they’re quite similar in their intention. At their core, both of these are rude and derogatory ways of saying the word “you.” However, they both have their specific uses, which makes them varied in meaning.
First it’s Omae, which I would argue it’s the hardest to understand of the two. Omae, to put it simply, is used when wanting to convey to a person they’re inadequate for a certain situation. Take for example the following phrase: who are you to talk? I’m sure you can imagine how this particular “you” sounds like, as the phrase implies the recipient is inept or something similar. All Omae does, essentially, is carry with it this tone at all times. This being said, it can still be used in a fun way, like when teasing your friends.
Temee, on the other hand, has different connotations. Whereas Omae has been translated in a variety of ways, Temee usually translates to “you bastard.” In anime, for example, many characters use it when addressing someone angrily, like in a Hero vs. Villain fight. In Japan, Temee is considered way ruder than saying Omae. For that reason, it’s not used very often, unless things have really escalated. However, like all words, tone and context matters, and Temee can be used in a relaxed manner. Nevertheless, be extremely careful when addressing someone this way.
クソ (Kuso)
Image credit: Shonen Jump Plus
The easiest swear word to understand so far, Kuso means “shit.” By this, we mean it is quite a literal translation, as it is a profane way of saying “poo” or “crap.” The uses of this word are, once again, very similar to how you would use “shit” in English. For example, it can be used independently as an exclamation. Like when something bad happens and you simply say it out loud.
However, its true roasting potential comes as an adjective, as it can be mixed with other words. Think for a moment of all the different insults in the English language that contain the word “shit” in it. Eventually, you’ll come to admire the versatility of the word more than the meaning itself. Kuso, in Japanese, plays a similar role. To give and example, Shithead, can be translated as Kuso-Yarō (クソ野郎).
うざい (Uzai)
Image credit: Baitoru
Uzai could be translated to the word “annoying”, although a phrase like “pain in the ass” would be more appropriate. The word, on its own, can be used as an expression (Uzai!), proclaiming something or someone is extremely annoying. On the other hand, it can be used as an adjective, letting someone know from the get-go they are crossing a line.
For our roasting purposes, Uzai is perfect. It can be used in everyday conversation as long as it’s done moderately and cautiously. Oddly enough, the word itself is favoured in the world of Romance Anime, where the Tsundere archetype mostly resides. You know the drill, a girl proclaims a guy is annoying, though behind that phrase she hides her true feelings. In our case, we mess with our friends calling them annoying, although we know we love them inside.
黙れ (Damare)
For the final entry in this swear words list, we have Damare, which is often translated to “shut up.” This word is considered a rude way of telling someone to be quiet, as it often carries the connotation that the recipient is being annoying and noisy.
To go back to the example I laid before beginning this list, you’ll understand why I choose Damare to be the last word. Telling someone to shut up because they’re being annoying, is something that can change drastically in meaning depending on context and tone. For that reason, I want to remind you, dear reader, that using these words carefully is key.
We’re not that teen from class anymore. A simple swear word no-longer qualifies as comedy, let alone Japanese comedy. However, we can still use them in our standup routine. We know the words. We know how to select our target. Now the only thing missing is how to get our point across in the best way possible.
Types of Japanese Comedy
Image credit: Reddit
Japanese humour, at least the one favoured by Japanese comedians and Japanese comedy films, varies a lot depending on the style. This being said, there are a few common threads we need to examine before going through the different types.
First, Japanese humour can be very obvious. For a culture that values subtlety, it’s surprising that their moments of comedic relief are full of outlandish performances and exaggerated facial expressions. But, then again, perhaps that’s precisely the reason why they like it. Following up on that point, Japanese comedians, both male and female, love to have slapstick routines. The over-the-top antics of Japanese game shows are a great example here, as physical pain (in a controlled environment) is considered hilarious.
Beyond this, Japanese comedians favour skits and gags over typical stand up routines found in western countries. Some people, like Japanese tour guide Brett Plotz, think comedians are over-reliant on this. Either they run a gag to the ground and fade into obscurity, or come up with something new and the cycle repeats. Nevertheless, the truly great comedians, as he assured us, always come up on top. Finding new scenarios, playing with similar sounding words, and making us laugh in ways we didn’t think possible.
With this clarified, let’s return to our roasting in Japanese goals, and find the comedic style that best suits you.
Manzai
Manzai is Japan’s favourite comedic style, and probably the closest Japanese comedy has to stand-up comedy. The origins date back to the Edo Period, where various places developed their own version of this style. Owari Manzai, Mikawa Manzai and Yamato Manzai are a few examples of this. However, nowadays Manzai mostly fall under the Osaka Manzai style, which originated in the Meiji era. It has grown so popular, in fact, there exist Manzai contests, with the largest being the M-1 Grand Prix.
As for what exactly it is, Manzai follows a comedic duo through their antics, with each comedian playing a sort of archetypal character. The first comedian is called a Boke, which means stupid, and often makes inquiries in a dumb-comedic manner. The second comedian is called a Tsukkomi, and corrects the Boke in an even funnier way.
From there on, you can imagine how the Boke and Tsukkomi routine develops. The Boke makes increasingly outlandish and dumb claims, and the Tsukkomi comments on how stupid they are. More often than not, Manzai includes some sort of physical comedy, such as the Tsukkomi trying to slap the Boke into reason.
Although Manzai has a traditional style and set boundaries, truly great Manzai performers know how to switch up the routine. The Boke, for example, can be dumb through a variety of ways. Maybe he is overly narcissistic, over-confident, or just plain out ignorant about the world at large. The Tsukkomi, on the other hand, has to remain the voice of reason, the straight man, but in doing so he can emphasize the outlandishness of the Boke. All great Manzai duos know how to get the best out of it.
The Subject of Manzai
Before moving on to the next section, I must mention Manzai is a very digestible style of comedy. By this, I’m referring to the subject matters they tackle, as they would never indulge in something like dark humour. They can, and often do, use swear words, but they perform them in a tongue-and-cheek way. For that reason, learning about Manzai is a great guide for roasting in Japanese.
Suberi
Suberi is this writer’s personal favourite Japanese comedy style, and one I practiced before knowing about its name. And, odds are, you probably did too. Suberi, in essence, is when you fail to make a good joke. To be more specific, Suberi is when your joke is so bad it ends up being hilarious. We’ve all laughed at terrible jokes before, but only in Japan is there an entire comedic style dedicated to it.
As you might have guessed, creating an entire career out of making jokes so bad they’re good is very difficult. For that reason, Japanese comedians that actively practice Suberi are rare. Nevertheless, there are a few great comedians that know delivery and timing is more important than the joke itself. In the western world, I would personally give the late Norm Macdonald the title of Suberi comedian. In Japan, comedian Okada Keisuke is considered one of the greats in the Suberi genre, and I’ll encourage you to look him up.
Can you roast someone so poorly, it ends up being a good roast? That question is up for you to discover, and Suberi can offer a framework for finding out.
Rakugo
Rakugo is probably the oldest living style of Japanese comedy, way older than traditional Manzai. Its origins are a debated topic, but the consensus is it officially started around the early Edo Period. As for what it is, Rakugo consists of a lone storyteller called a Rakugoka, that tells a comedic, yet sentimental story. Beside narrating, Rakugoka uses two props to make the story come to life: a paper fan and a small cloth.
The story itself is up to the Rakugoka, but it usually falls under two categories: classicals and original stories. Classical stories, as the name suggests, are the tales of old that have survived and are still being performed. The original stories are the Rakugoka’s own invention.
Unlike Manzai or Suberi, Rakugo appeals to mostly the elderly. Nevertheless, their appeal is not only historical, but also, and excuse the redundancy, comedic. You may believe such an old tradition is, for lack of a better phrase, past its prime, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Many now famous Japanese comedians trained in Rakugo before going after more conventional comedy styles. Actor Shōfukutei Tsurube II, for example, was a Rakugoka before becoming the comedian Japan knows today. Considering he is the voice of Felonius Gru, it’s safe to say Rakugo gave him a broad repertoire. A repertoire that you might gain if you consider researching further.
Conto
Image credit: Owarai
If you’re familiar with Portuguese, the word “conto” which means “short story” may have come to mind. There isn’t much research about it, but it is perfectly plausible the shared history between Portugal and Japan may have influenced this comedic style. Conto, in essence, is a comedic skit: a funny short story told through acting.
At first glance, a Conto might feel similar to Manzai, since most skits follow a structure reminiscent of a Boke and Tsukkomi routine. However, there are a few things that have to be present for something to be considered a Conto. Firstly, a situation and a setting need to be established, like a school or a line in a fast food chain. Subsequently, each character has to play their role accordingly, coming up with scenarios that suit their respective style. And, unlike Manzai, a Conto can be performed by more than two people.
Furthermore, Manzai performers are called Manzaishi, and Conto comedians are called Contoshi. This distinction, though purely semantic, highlights how Japanese culture considers these two comedic styles worthy of separation.
Going back to our roasting in Japanese analogy, learning to improve your storytelling abilities will come in handy. Conto can help you come up with different scenarios, which will help your imagination fly. And, consequently, be better prepared for roasting and being roasted.
Surreal humour
An article regarding Japanese comedy would be incomplete without addressing the surreal humour Japan is capable of. This is where I would group many Japanese game shows, especially those with premises so outlandish they are inherently hilarious. I could give a myriad of examples, but today I want to talk about How To Escape a Fart. You read that right, there’s a Japanese game show dedicated to inventive ways of avoiding this bodily odour. I choose this show as an example, not because the premise is eye-catching, but because its main joke regards Japanese etiquette. Contestants battle with their own Japanese sensibilities, finding increasingly hilarious and absurd ways of maintaining it while avoiding the smell.
Now, how could this be useful in our roasting goals? Well, it’s good to know Japanese people and comedy can go to surreal lengths. But, most importantly, you’ll need to know these moments are grounded in reality. Something in Japan can be outlandish for the sake of it, but they’re most effective when commenting on a cultural aspect. It can be critiquing Japanese etiquette, or their tendency to overwork, or even their culture’s perceived perseverance. So, when roasting someone, even at an absurdist level, it’s best to keep Japanese culture in mind.
Beyond Japanese laughter
Now, dear reader, we have given you some tools for understanding Japanese Comedy. We hope that, moving forward, you use these in a way that makes your Japanese friends laugh. And, of course, roast them in a playful manner. Nevertheless, this is still an introduction, and we’ll encourage you to learn more about the fascinating world of Japanese humour. To give you some starting points, the YouTube Channel Unpacking Japan has a fascinating and insightful video interviewing a Manzai comedian. Despite the fact Nick, the interviewee, is not Japanese, his Manzai duo, Time Bomb, was at a time considered one of the best in Japan.
Beyond this, Instagram and TikTok personality Max D. Capo (@maxdcapo) has some fantastic short videos regarding Japanese comedy. Some of these are clips taken from his podcast, but a lot of them are street-style interviews anyone can get into.
For our last recommendations, we have to mention Katsura Sunshine. Katsura is Rakugoka who posts explanations of Rakugo on TikTok (@katsurasunshine). Additionally, he also performs in Tokyo and New York, often posting clips of his show on his channel. Needless to say, Katsura is hilarious, and a fantastic gateway into Japanese comedy.
Final words
Image credit: Jisin Japan
Japanese comedy is a vast and exciting world we’re glad to have shared with you. Their humour can be hard to get into, with the language, etiquette, and style presenting a challenge. Nevertheless, taking the time to understand it is worth it, as it opens up a new world of banter and jokes. Now, the adolescence you once were can start taking the first steps into understanding a world that captivated him. A chance to learn how people in other countries talk, live and laugh.
The next steps are up ahead, and one of the best ways of guaranteeing a steady path is through our partner Jetpac eSIM. Jetpac offers reliable and fast travel data, so you can keep on learning about Japanese humour abroad. Jetpac eSIM is your universal key to the internet, providing reliable connectivity from anywhere in the world.
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