なんちゃって
nanchatte
The English phrase "sike" can be expressed in Japanese as なんちゃって (nanchatte).
なんちゃって is used to indicate that you have just been joking, lying or making a false boast. It is typically used immediately after making a provocative or untrue statement to signal that the previous remark was not serious.
Which one should you use?
You may see the version なんちゃってー with an extended final vowel. Extending this vowel makes the expression sound even more playful or teasing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
なんちゃって is a highly informal and playful expression intended for casual speech among friends or peers. For a different way to express that something is untrue in an informal setting, you can also use ウソだよ, which translates to "It's a lie".
How do you pronounce it?
nanchatte
Did you know?
- The phrase なんちゃって is a colloquial contraction of なんちゃらって, which was originally used to vaguely refer to something the speaker could not remember or did not want to name specifically.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime or variety shows, a person might use なんちゃって while performing a specific, exaggerated pose to heighten the comedic effect of the joke.
- The popularity of なんちゃって peaked during the 1980s when it transformed from a niche slang term into a nationwide phenomenon found in pop songs and television catchphrases.
Examples in context
- 明日、絶対遅れるよ。なんちゃって！Ashita, zettai okureru yo. Nanchatte!I'm definitely going to be late tomorrow. Sike!
- もう一生、君とは喋らない。なんちゃって。Mou isshou, kimi to wa shaberanai. Nanchatte.I'll never talk to you again. Sike.
- 実は、これ全部僕のものです。なんちゃって！Jitsu wa, kore zenbu boku no mono desu. Nanchatte!Actually, this is all mine. Sike!
Example conversation
Two friends are joking around at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、実は僕のこと好きでしょ？Yui, jitsu wa boku no koto suki desho?Yui, you actually like me, don't you?
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、何言ってるの？E, nani itteru no?Eh, what are you saying?
- 陽太 Yotaなんちゃって！冗談だよ。Nanchatte! Joudan da yo.Sike! I'm just kidding.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、陽太くんったら！Mou, Youta-kun ttara!Geez, Youta!
