馬鹿
baka[ba̠ka̠]
The b word in Japanese is 馬鹿 (baka).
馬鹿 is a slang term used to describe someone as stupid or foolish. While it can be used as an insult, it is also frequently used in a lighthearted or affectionate way among close friends to tease someone.
Which one should you use?
In the Kansai region, such as Osaka or Kyoto, the term 阿呆 (aho) is often used as a more affectionate or playful term for 'stupid' than 馬鹿.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
馬鹿 is a highly informal term and should be avoided in polite or professional conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
阿呆 (aho) is common in the Kansai region.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adjective to describe a noun, such as 'a stupid person', you must add the particle な (na) after it to form 馬鹿な (baka na).
How do you pronounce it?
baka
Did you know?
- The term 馬鹿 is often used as an intensifier in slang to mean 'extremely' or 'insanely', such as describing something as 'stupidly expensive'.
- The characters for 馬鹿 literally mean 'horse' and 'deer'. They are used as a visual pun based on an ancient Chinese story about a politician who tried to trick people by pointing to a deer and calling it a horse.
Examples in context
- 彼は本当に馬鹿だね。He's really an idiot, isn't he?
- あいつは本当に馬鹿だな。Aitsu wa hontou ni baka da na.That guy is truly stupid.
- そんな馬鹿なことは言わないで。Sonna baka na koto wa iwanaide.Don't say such foolish things.
- 馬鹿な質問ですね。Baka na shitsumon desu ne.That is a foolish question.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are teasing each other about a mistake in a video game.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、今の操作は馬鹿みたいだったよ。Yui, ima no sousa wa baka mitai datta yo.Yui, that last move was like something a fool would do.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、あなたこそ馬鹿じゃないの？Ren, anata koso baka janai no?Ren, aren't you the stupid one?
- 蓮 Renそんなことないよ。Sonna koto nai yo.That's not true.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、本当に馬鹿なんだから。Mou, hontou ni baka nan da kara.Geez, you really are an idiot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 馬鹿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 馬鹿, CC BY-SA 4.0.
