It does happen in Japan - 12....

Top 10+2 frequently used Japanese Words, you can't escape from...

It is like, if you are in Japan and even you don’t know even a bit of Japanese and would never like to give even a damn about it, you cannot escape from these words getting into your ears quite frequently on any given day. There could be a lot of words, but, I somehow feel, these are the worthy ones that get into the top 10+2.

1. 'Hai' – Yes. For every word you utter to a Jappu, they say “HAI” to it, even if they don’t agree to your statement. Kind of Strange though!! Since, I have gotten used to using a lot of “HAI” in my daily life, of late, I sometimes, in a reflex, use HAI, while talking to my mom & dad during my phone conversation. They would stand puzzled.

2. 'Kedo' – But. This is a sure No.2. Even, if BUT isn’t required in that particular statement, they use 'Kedo', just like that, just because that is how it has been used over generations.

3. 'Arigatō Gozaimashita' – Thank you. This might catch the No.3 spot. Very frequently used and on quite obvious occasions.

4. Wakaranai – [I] don’t understand. The Jappus are frank. They hate to lie, I presume. If they are not sure of something, they frankly confess that they don’t know rather than trying to beat around the bush. ‘Wakaranai’ is used for this.

5. Wakarimashita – [I] understood. Yes. This follows ‘Wakaranai’ in terms of frequency and can possibly catch the 5th spot. Wakarmishita’s frequency is high among Jappus. But more than that, this word is frequently used by the Indians here and they use it even if they do not understand and merely to satisfy the Jappu explaining him. Typically ‘Indian’ish.

6. Sō nan da? – Is it so? This phrase is frequent among female Jappus and obviously the expression they attach to it, all looks same among all female Jappus.

7. Onegai shimasu – [I] ask you a favour. They use this, even if they aren’t asking you any favour, ideally. But, yes this, surely, deserves a place in the Top 10.

8. ii? – Is it Ok? Is it fine? Is it good? This word is just a 2 letter word. But, it’s usage frequency is quite on the high.

9. Daijōbu – [I] am fine. No problem. Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and infact, the whole of Konoha use it frequently, though. This word is one of the frequently used words among real Jappus too.

10. Sō iu koto? – Is it so? Usage is same as Sō nan da? (No. 6). But, this phrase is frequent among male Jappus and is definitely less frequent than Sō nan da. So, this, kind of, proves that Jappu girls are more talkative than Jappu males.

Other than these, 2 more phrases that I would like to add to the top 10, may be as 10.1 and 10.2, are:
• Chotto matte – Wait for a while. A frequently used phrase. May be a close competition to Sō iu koto.
• Honto ni ? – Really? This is again one of the frequently used phrases for expressing surprise or shock. I really don’t if the expressions they attach to this word are real or fake. It’s like, even for simple actions, they express a huge surprise. For example, I tell a Jappu, “I came to office in cycle today.” This isn’t anything so great news to get hugely surprised. But, still they immediately say “Honto ni? ii ne (good)”, as though I told them that I married a Jappu girl yesterday.

Kindly, try memorizing these words/phrases and you are half ready for Japan.