List of "Gal language" that were popular in the 1990s!

A word formed by turning the English word “now” into an adjective.

In essence, “nowy” represents “current-ness” or “trendiness.”

Used for someone who is sensitive to trends or incorporates trends into their actions and fashion.

It can also be used as a compliment, similar to saying “you’re stylish” or “that’s lovely”.

「その服装かわいい！ナウいね！」

“That outfit is cute! So nowy!”

「ナウい格好の男性にナンパされた」

“I got hit on by a guy who looked very nowy.”

A word born from combining “Oba-san” (a meddling older woman) and “Battalion”, which is used to mean “horde”.

It refers to a “self-centered older woman,” or a “meddling older woman.”

The 4-panel comic strip named “Obatarian” (オバタリアン), which depicted such middle-aged women, started its serialization in 1987, leading to the widespread use of this term.

「オバタリアンが何食わぬ顔で、レジの列に割り込んできた」

“An obattalion casually cut into the checkout line.”

「バイト先のオバタリアンが人の恋バナに突っ込んでくる」

“The obattalion at my part-time job always pries into people’s love stories.”

It has meanings like “not under consideration,”“out of the question,” or “beyond discussion.”

It was often used to convey disinterest towards someone of the opposite sex.

However, since it carries a negative connotation, caution is required when using it.

「学校で一番かっこいいって言われているようだけど、私はアウト・オブ・眼中だな」

“He might be considered the coolest guy in school, but to me, he’s out-of-sight.”

「強い男が好きだから、弱々しい男はアウト・オブ・眼中」

“I like strong men, so weak-looking men are out-of-sight for me.”

An abbreviation for 意味不明 (imifumei) which means “incomprehensible” or “meaningless”.

Used when something doesn't make sense or is hard to understand.

「今回の歴史のテスト、意味不だったわ～」

“The history test this time around was imifu~”

「父親から意味不なメールが送られてきた」

“My father sent me an imifu email.”

It’s an abbreviation of the Japanese words for “ウザイ (ウー) (annoying), ロン毛の (ロン) (long-haired), 茶髪男子 (茶) (brown-haired guy)”.

A term mainly used by women when expressing distaste for men with long, brown hair. Or when they find a man’s behavior annoying.

It may seem like the target audience is small, but there was a time in the 1990s when many men wore this hairstyle.Therefore, the word was frequently used.

「あの集団ウーロン茶ばっかりじゃん、近寄りたくない～」

“That group is just full of Oolong-cha guys. I don’t want to go near them~”

「ウーロン茶は受け付けません」

“I don’t like Oolong-cha guys.”

It is an abbreviation for the Japanese words "Majide", "Kireru", and "5 seconds ago".

Used when one has witnessed an unpleasant behavior or situation.

It's often used in a somewhat lighthearted way.

「学校で一番かっこいいって言われているようだけど、私はアウト・オブ・眼中だな」

“He might be considered the coolest guy in school, but to me, he’s out-of-sight.”

「強い男が好きだから、弱々しい男はアウト・オブ・眼中」

“I like strong men, so weak-looking men are out-of-sight for me.”

The Japanese word for "senpai" is read backwards.

Refers to someone superior or in a high position.

Paisen looked even cooler today than usual.

I learned a lot from Paisen.

"Pachi" refers to "fake, lie," and "Koku" means "to inform, to say".

Thus, it means "to lie" or "to tell a lie."

Commonly used in conversation directed towards someone else, replacing phrases like "Don't lie" or "Did you lie?"

A: I went on a date with the most popular senior in school.

B: Really? Pachikokuna!(Don't lie!)

C: Oh, the sale ended already.

D: Wow, Pachikoita(you lied).

Abbreviation for "three antennas are standing up" in Japanese.

An antenna is an antenna mark that indicates the radio reception status of a mobile phone.

"3" refers to the number of antennas.

In other words, it is a word that indicates that the radio wave reception is extremely good.

Let's call a taxi while we have bari3.

The signal got bad all of a sudden; it was bari3 just a moment ago.

A play on words combining "don't understand" with the seaweed "wakame".

"Wakame" itself doesn't have a specific meaning in this context.

They explained it, but it was so wakewakame(I didn't get it).

That person sometimes does wakewakame(things that make no sense).

Used when something looks unpleasant.

Variations like "Kissho" and "Kisshoi" are also common.

I can't touch insects; they're kishoi.

Today's outfit is kishoi.

It refers to the "Keio Inokashira Line" connecting Shibuya station and Kichijoji station.

It is a word that combines "ino" from "Inokashira" and "head", which is the English translation of "head".

It's faster if you take the Ino-head!( Inokashira Line!)

If you're going there, the Ino-head (Inokashira Line) is convenient.

Often used after telling a joke to reveal, "Just kidding!".

It's a handy phrase to lighten the mood.

However, be careful when using it after telling a serious lie as it may come off as inappropriate.

A: Actually, that handsome actor is my relative.

B: Really!?

A: Uso-pyon!

Derived from the initials of "Maji" (really) and "Mukatsuku" (annoying), it represents extreme annoyance or anger.

Often used to express strong annoyance or anger.

Prefixing with "Chou" intensifies the emotion.

I get MM when told to study.

I found out my boyfriend cheated on me, Chou MM!

Used derogatorily about someone's appearance.

It seems to be used more often by women than men.

Variants like "Chouganbu"are also in use.

The word is derived from the Japanese words "Shira (白) = white" and "Keru (蹴る) = kick".

It is a Japanese verb that expresses a state in which the original atmosphere or tension is lowered due to some event or someone's words and deeds.

In English, it is similar to "to procrastinate" and "to lose interest."

It'd be a White Kick to run into my parents during a date.

That comment in this situation was a White Kick.

Originally, "Ukeru" meant to receive high acclaim, as in a performance receiving applause or cheers from an audience.

From there, it evolved to mean "funny" or "hilarious".

In the Kanto region, many people take this word as a compliment, but in the Kansai region (mainly Osaka), it seems that many people feel that they are being made fun of.

Therefore, it may be best to avoid using it in some areas.

Used when someone finds something personally funny or amusing.

Variants like "Chou Ukeru", "Maji Ukeru", and "Uke Sugiru" are used to express greater amusement.

Check out this picture, it's Ukeru!

The way my hair's sticking up is Maji Ukeru.