Natural Japanese Series

30 Japanese Shortened Words You’ll Hear in Everyday Conversation

Japanese conversation includes many shortened words such as スクショ (sukusho), コピペ (kopipe), リスケ (risuke), and モチベ (mochibe). Learn 30 common conversational shortenings, with natural examples and simple notes on when to use them.

Written by Chiho Kamioka ·

30 casual Japanese shortened words for conversation, including スクショ, クレカ, リスケ, and アニソン

How Casual Are These Japanese Shortened Words?

Not every shortened Japanese word is equally casual. Words such as コンビニ, パソコン, and スマホ are now normal everyday vocabulary, while others are mainly used in casual conversation, chats, or specific social contexts.

Because the appropriate situation varies from word to word, we’ve included a Usage note for each one to show how it sounds to native speakers and where it sounds natural. Check these notes as you go: some are fine with coworkers but too casual for clients or formal writing, while others are better to recognize than to use yourself.

Online & Tech

These shortened forms are especially common in messages, apps, videos, and everyday digital conversation.

Shortened WordLonger Form / OriginMeaningNatural Example
メアド
meado
 メールアドレス email address あとでメアド送おくるね。
ato de meado okuru ne.
I’ll send you my email address later.
Usage:.Casual and common in relaxed conversation and messages. Avoid it with customers, people you do not know well, or in formal writing. メールアドレス is more neutral.
コピペ
kopipe
 コピー＆ペースト copy and paste ここ、コピペしていい？
koko, kopipe shite ii?
Can I copy and paste this part?
Usage: Common in casual conversation and chats. It is also used among coworkers in relaxed internal communication, but avoid it in formal business writing.
スクショ
sukusho
 スクリーンショット screenshot その画面がめんのスクショを送おくって。
sono gamen no sukusho o okutte.
Send me a screenshot of that screen.
Usage: Very common in casual conversation and chats, but avoid it in formal business communication. Use スクリーンショット in more formal situations.
サムネ
samune
 サムネイル thumbnail サムネ変かえたんだ。
samune kaetan da.
I changed the thumbnail.
Usage: Common and natural when talking about videos, websites, and social media. It is casual but widely understood; サムネイル is more neutral in formal contexts.
ドラレコ
dorareko
 ドライブレコーダー dashcam ドラレコついてる？
dorareko tsuiteru?
Does your car have a dashcam?
Usage: Widely understood, especially when talking about cars. Use ドライブレコーダー in formal or official contexts.
ネカフェ
nekafe
 ネットカフェ internet café ネカフェでちょっと休やすんだ。
nekafe de chotto yasunda.
I took a short break at an internet café.
Usage: .Quite casual and conversational. Common among friends and in relaxed conversation, but avoid it in formal or customer-facing situations. ネットカフェ is more neutral.

Shops & Places

You will hear these shorter forms when shopping, eating out, traveling, or talking casually about places in town.

Shortened WordLonger Form / OriginMeaningNatural Example
100均きん
hyakkin
 100円均一えんきんいつ（ショップ） 100-yen shop これ、100均きんで買かった。
kore, hyakkin de katta.
I bought this at a 100-yen shop.
Usage: Very common in conversation and widely understood across age groups. 100円ショップ is more neutral.
ファミレス
famiresu
 ファミリーレストラン family restaurant 今日きょうはファミレスでいい？
kyou wa famiresu de ii?
How about a family restaurant today?
Usage: Very common in everyday conversation. It sounds casual, while ファミリーレストラン is more neutral.
フリマ
furima
 フリーマーケット flea market / resale marketplace 古ふるい服ふくをフリマで売うりました。
furui fuku o furima de urimashita.
I sold some old clothes on a flea-market app / marketplace.
Usage: Common and widely understood in casual conversation, especially when talking about flea markets or resale apps. In more formal contexts, use a specific term such as フリーマーケット or フリマアプリ.
デパ地下ちか
depachika
 デパートの地下売ちかうり場ば department store basement food hall 今日きょうは、デパ地下ちかでお弁当べんとうを買かいます。
kyou wa, depachika de obentou o kaimasu.
I’m going to buy a bento at the department store food hall today.
Usage: Widely understood and often heard in conversation and the media. It is informal but not especially youth-oriented.
ビジホ
bijiho
 ビジネスホテル business hotel 駅前えきまえのビジホに泊とまった。
ekimae no bijiho ni tomatta.
I stayed at a business hotel near the station.
Usage: Quite casual and often seen online or used in relaxed conversation. Use ビジネスホテル for reservations, customer communication, or formal writing.
ゲーセン
geesen
 ゲームセンター arcade 帰かえりにゲーセン寄よろう。
kaeri ni geesen yorou.
Let’s stop by the arcade on the way home.
Usage: Very casual and conversational. Common among friends and in relaxed conversation, but ゲームセンター is more appropriate in neutral, official, or formal contexts.

Work & School

Some shortened forms are common among classmates and coworkers. They are useful to understand in everyday school and workplace conversation.

Shortened WordLonger Form / OriginMeaningNatural Example
バイト
baito
 アルバイト part-time job 今日きょうの夜よるはバイトに行いくよ。
kyou no yoru wa, baito ni iku yo.
I have a shift at my part-time job tonight.
Usage: Very common in everyday conversation. Use アルバイト on job applications, official forms, or in formal situations.
パワポ
pawapo
 PowerPoint PowerPoint / slide deck あとで、パワポを送おくりますね。
ato de, pawapo o okurimasu ne.
I’ll send you the PowerPoint later.
Usage: Common in casual school and internal workplace conversation, but avoid it in formal business communication. Use パワーポイント instead.
アポ
apo
 アポイントメント appointment 明日あしたのアポ、何時なんじだっけ？
ashita no apo, nanji dakke?
What time is tomorrow’s appointment again?
Usage: Quite casual and mainly used among coworkers in relaxed workplace conversation. Avoid it with supervisors, clients, or in formal business communication. Use アポイントメント or a more formal expression instead.
リスケ
risuke
 リスケジュール rescheduling 来週らいしゅうにリスケできる？
raishuu ni risuke dekiru?
Can we reschedule it for next week?
Usage: Quite casual and commonly used among coworkers in relaxed conversation or messages. Avoid it with supervisors, clients, or in formal business communication. Use expressions such as 日程にっていを変更へんこうする instead.
学祭がくさい
gakusai
 学園祭がくえんさい school / university festival 来週らいしゅう、大学だいがくの学祭がくさいがあります。
raishuu, daigaku no gakusai ga arimasu.
There’s a university festival next week.
Usage: Common among students and in casual conversation. Use 学園祭がくえんさい in official announcements, formal writing, or more neutral situations.
卒論そつろん
sotsuron
 卒業論文そつぎょうろんぶん graduation thesis 卒論そつろんがまだ終おわってない。
sotsuron ga mada owattenai.
I still haven’t finished my graduation thesis.
Usage: Very common among university students. Use 卒業論文そつぎょうろんぶん in academic or official writing.

Daily Life & Lifestyle

These shortened forms come up in casual conversations about everyday life, shopping, health, and personal interests

Shortened WordLonger Form / OriginMeaningNatural Example
クレカ
kureka
 クレジットカード credit card クレカ使つかえますか？
kureka tsukaemasu ka?
Can I pay by credit card?
Usage: Very common and widely understood in everyday conversation and online. It can also be used naturally in shops and other casual service situations. Use クレジットカード in formal business writing or official communication.
ドタキャン
dotakyan
 土壇場どたんば + キャンセル last-minute cancellation またドタキャンされた。
mata dotakyan sareta.
They canceled on me at the last minute again.
Usage: Very casual and commonly used in relaxed conversation. It can also sound blunt or critical, so avoid it with clients or in formal or customer-facing communication.
インフル
infuru
 インフルエンザ influenza / the flu インフルで、会社かいしゃを3日間かかん休やすみました。
infuru de, kaisha o mikka-kan yasumimashita.
I took three days off work because I had the flu.
Usage: Very common in everyday conversation and widely understood across age groups. Use インフルエンザ in medical, official, or formal contexts.
モチベ
mochibe
 モチベーション motivation 最近さいきんモチベ上あがらない。
saikin mochibe agaranai.
I haven’t felt very motivated lately.
Usage: Casual and common in relaxed conversation. It may be used among close coworkers, but avoid it with supervisors, clients, or in formal business communication. Use モチベーション instead.
プチプラ
puchipura
 プチプライス affordable / budget-friendly このシャンプー、プチプラだけどすごくいいです。
kono shanpuu, puchipura da kedo sugoku ii desu.
This shampoo is affordable, but it’s really good.
Usage: Common in casual conversation, especially when talking about beauty, fashion, and everyday products. It sounds casual, so use more neutral wording in formal situations.
ポイ活かつ
poikatsu
 ポイントを貯ためる活動かつどう collecting reward points 最近さいきんポイ活かつしてる。
saikin poikatsu shiteru.
I’ve been collecting reward points lately.
Usage: Casual and trend-based. Common in lifestyle media, social media, and relaxed conversation. In formal contexts, it is often better to explain the idea more explicitly. Learners may mainly need to recognize this word rather than use it themselves.

Beauty, Hobbies & Entertainment

These shortened forms are often heard in casual conversations about beauty, hobbies, fandoms, music, and leisure.

Shortened WordLonger Form / OriginMeaningNatural Example
フェス
fesu
 フェスティバル festival, often a music festival 最近さいきんは、ジャズフェスが少すくなくなった。
saikin wa, jazu fesu ga sukunaku natta.
There seem to be fewer jazz festivals these days.
Usage: Very common and widely understood in casual conversation, especially for music events. In formal writing, use the event’s official name when appropriate.
ファンデ
fande
 ファンデーション makeup foundation シャツにファンデがついてしまった。
shatsu ni fande ga tsuite shimatta.
I got foundation on my shirt.
Usage: Very common in casual conversation about makeup. Use ファンデーション in more neutral or formal situations.
推おし活かつ
oshikatsu
 推おしを応援おうえんする活動かつどう activities supporting your favorite artist, idol, or character 週末しゅうまつは推おし活かつしてきた。
shuumatsu wa oshikatsu shite kita.
I spent the weekend doing fan activities.
Usage: Casual and trend-based. Common in fandom, social media, and entertainment or lifestyle media. It is widely understood but topic-specific, so learners may mainly need to recognize it unless they often talk about fandoms.
アニソン
anison
 アニメソング anime song 彼かれは、カラオケでアニソンばかり歌うたいます。
kare wa, karaoke de anison bakari utaimasu.
He only sings anime songs at karaoke.
Usage: Widely understood and commonly used when talking about anime music. It is casual, but not especially youth-oriented or slang-like.
カラコン
karakon
 カラーコンタクトレンズ colored contact lenses カラコンをつけたまま寝ねてしまった。
karakon o tsuketa mama nete shimatta.
I fell asleep with my colored contacts in.
Usage: Common and natural in beauty and fashion conversation and media. It is casual but widely understood. カラーコンタクトレンズ is mainly used in medical, official, or technical contexts.
マツエク
matsueku
 まつげエクステンション eyelash extensions マツエクしたことある？
matsueku shita koto aru?
Have you ever had eyelash extensions?
Usage: Common and natural in beauty-related conversation and salons. It is casual and topic-specific, but widely understood.

Who Can You Use These Shortened Words With?

Some shortened words are natural almost anywhere, while others depend on your relationship with the person you are speaking to.

These ratings are a general guide, not strict rules. What sounds natural can vary depending on your relationship with the other person, the situation, and the topic of conversation. Use the chart as a practical reference rather than an absolute rule.

○ Generally natural    △ Depends on the relationship or situation    × Best avoided
If you see △ and are not sure, using the longer or more neutral form is usually the safest choice. × does not mean the word is never used in that situation, but learners are generally better off avoiding it.
WordFriendsCoworkersSupervisorsFormal Business / Writing
Online & Tech
メアド ○ △ × ×
コピペ ○ △ × ×
スクショ ○ △ × ×
サムネ ○ △ △ ×
ドラレコ ○ △ △ ×
ネカフェ ○ △ × ×
Shops & Places
100均きん ○ △ △ ×
ファミレス ○ ○ △ ×
フリマ ○ △ △ ×
デパ地下ちか ○ △ △ ×
ビジホ ○ △ × ×
ゲーセン ○ △ × ×
Work & School
バイト ○ ○ △ ×
パワポ ○ △ × ×
アポ ○ △ × ×
リスケ ○ △ × ×
学祭がくさい ○ △ △ ×
卒論そつろん ○ ○ △ ×
Daily Life & Lifestyle
クレカ ○ △ △ ×
ドタキャン ○ △ × ×
インフル ○ ○ △ ×
モチベ ○ △ × ×
プチプラ ○ △ × ×
ポイ活かつ ○ △ × ×
Beauty, Hobbies & Entertainment
フェス ○ △ △ ×
ファンデ ○ △ △ ×
推おし活かつ ○ △ △ ×
アニソン ○ △ △ ×
カラコン ○ △ △ ×
マツエク ○ △ △ ×

Part 1

50 Everyday Japanese Abbreviations That Sound Natural

For shortened words such as コンビニ, パソコン, スマホ, and 就活しゅうかつ that have become normal everyday Japanese, see the companion guide.

See 50 Everyday Japanese Abbreviations →

Casual Japanese Shortened Words FAQ

Are these shortened words slang?

Some may feel slang-like, but not all. スクショ, コピペ, クレカ, and リスケ, for example, are common shortened forms in casual conversation. Other words are more closely tied to specific topics such as beauty, music, or fandoms.

Can I use words like リスケ and アポ at work?

You may hear these words among coworkers and in internal workplace communication, but they are casual. In formal emails, communication with clients, or more official writing, fuller expressions are usually more appropriate.

Should Japanese learners use casual shortened words?

You do not need to use every shortened form yourself. Being able to recognize them is already very useful for listening, chats, and social media. When you do use them, choose words that fit your relationship with the other person and the situation.

Why are shortened words hard to understand in conversation?

Learners often study the full form first, so the shorter form may not immediately sound familiar. For example, knowing スクリーンショット does not automatically mean you will recognize スクショ the first time you hear it. Learning the full and shortened forms together can make real conversation much easier to follow.

Since 2006, Japonin has helped over 6,000 learners worldwide study Japanese online with support from our experienced Japanese language teachers.

Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin

Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder of Japonin 

Japanese learners often learn the full form first, but may not recognize the shortened form when they hear it in real conversation. I created this guide to introduce shortened words that learners are likely to hear in Japan, along with natural examples and notes on when the full form may be more appropriate.

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