Japanese is a rich and expressive language that has many words and phrases that are unique to its culture. Some of these words and phrases are funny, quirky, or even bizarre, but they can also reveal a lot about the Japanese way of thinking and living. Here are 10 funny Japanese words and phrases you should know if you want to impress your friends or have a laugh while learning the language.

Neko-jita literally means “cat tongue” and it is used to describe someone who can’t handle hot food or drinks. The idea is that cats have sensitive tongues and prefer their food at room temperature, so people who have neko-jita are like cats. For example, you can say “Kare wa neko-jita da kara, ocha o nurumu made matte iru.” which means “He has a cat tongue, so he waits until the tea cools down.”

Shoganai means “it can’t be helped” or “there’s nothing you can do about it”. It is a common phrase that expresses resignation or acceptance of a situation that is beyond one’s control. For example, if you miss your train because of a traffic jam, you can say “Shoganai.” to shrug it off and move on. Shoganai reflects the Japanese attitude of not dwelling on the past or complaining about things that cannot be changed.

Chinpokomon is a parody of the popular franchise Pokemon, which means “pocket monsters” in Japanese. Chinpokomon, however, means “penis monsters” and it was created by the creators of the animated show South Park as a satire of the Japanese obsession with cute and collectible creatures. Chinpokomon features absurd and hilarious names such as Shoe, Lambtron, Furrycat, and Poodlemon.

Majime means “serious” or “earnest” and it is usually a positive trait in Japanese culture. However, it can also be used sarcastically or humorously to describe someone who is too serious or boring. For example, you can say “Kare wa majime sugiru.” which means “He is too serious.” Majime can also be contrasted with another word, yancha (やんちゃ), which means “naughty” or “mischievous”. For example, you can say “Kanojo wa majime na kao shite yancha na koto o suru.” which means “She does naughty things with a serious face.”

Tatemae and honne are two words that describe the difference between one’s public facade and one’s true feelings or intentions. Tatemae means “façade” or “appearance” and it is what one says or does to conform to social norms or expectations. Honne means “true sound” or “real intention” and it is what one really thinks or feels. For example, you can say “Kare no tatemae wa shinsetsu da kedo, honne wa warui.” which means “His façade is kind, but his true intention is bad.”

Wabi-sabi is a concept that embraces the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It is often applied to art, design, and aesthetics, but it can also be a philosophy of life. Wabi-sabi values simplicity, authenticity, and harmony with nature. It appreciates the flaws and quirks that make things unique and interesting. For example, you can say “Kono utsuwa wa wabi-sabi ga aru.” which means “This pottery has wabi-sabi.”

Tsundoku is a word that describes the habit of buying books and piling them up