超
chouslang, very
The common slang for "super" in Japanese is 超 (chou), as in 超おいしい (chou oishii), "super tasty". Other slang forms are めっちゃ (meccha) and 激 (geki).
Meaning: very, extremely (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 超 | chou | slang, very |
| めっちゃ | meccha | slang, very, Kansai origin |
| 激 | geki | slang, extremely |
超 (chou) goes before an adjective and is popular among young people. めっちゃ (meccha) is used in the same way and began in the Kansai area. 激 (geki) appears in words such as 激安 (gekiyasu), "dirt cheap", and 激ウマ (gekiuma), "super delicious".
Which one should you use?
The katakana word スーパー (suupaa) usually means "supermarket", not "very".
Did you know?
- The prefix 超 (chou) also appears in standard words such as 超音波 (chouonpa), "ultrasound", so slang use grew from a long-standing meaning of "beyond".
Examples in context
- このラーメン、超おいしい!Kono raamen, chou oishii!This ramen is super tasty!
- めっちゃ疲れた。Meccha tsukareta.I am so tired.
- 激安の店を見つけた。Gekiyasu no mise o mitsuketa.I found a super cheap shop.
Example conversation
Nozomi and Ayumi try a new restaurant.
- Nozomiどう?おいしい?Dou? Oishii?How is it? Tasty?
- Ayumi超おいしい!Chou oishii!Super tasty!
- Nozomi激安だし、また来よう。Gekiyasu da shi, mata koyou.It is dirt cheap, so let's come again.
