めっちゃ
Meaning: Very, super, extremely — one of the most common intensifiers in casual Japanese.
Originally a Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto region) dialect word, めっちゃ has become one of the most widely used intensifiers in all of casual Japanese. It can modify adjectives, verbs, and nouns to mean 'very,' 'super,' or 'extremely.' Its popularity has made it nearly universal across all regions and age groups in informal speech. Variants include めちゃ and めちゃくちゃ (even stronger).
Examples
- このラーメンめっちゃ美味しいから食べてみて。 这碗拉面超好吃的,你尝尝。Este ramen está buenísimo, pruébalo.이 라면 멧챠 맛있으니까 먹어봐.
- めっちゃ疲れた、今日早く寝たい。 超累的,今天想早点睡。Estoy agotadísimo, hoy quiero irme a dormir pronto.멧챠 피곤해, 오늘 일찍 자고 싶어.
- あの映画めっちゃ泣けるから覚悟して。 那部电影超催泪的,做好心理准备。Esa película hace llorar un montón, ve preparado.그 영화 멧챠 울리니까 각오해.
Pronunciation
/met.tɕa/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, casual conversation, social media
Tone: emphatic, natural, versatile
✓ Do Say
- めっちゃ楽しかった! (That was super fun!)超开心的!(太好玩了!)めっちゃ楽しかった! (¡Fue súper divertido!)멧챠 재밌었어! (완전 재밌었어!)
- めっちゃいい人だよ (They're a really nice person)是个超好的人哦(真的是很好的人)めっちゃいい人だよ (Es muy buena persona)멧챠 좋은 사람이야 (진짜 좋은 사람이야)
✗ Don't Say
- 面接で「めっちゃ頑張ります」はカジュアルすぎる (Saying 'meccha ganbarimasu' in a job interview is too casual — use とても or 非常に)在面试中说'めっちゃ頑張ります'(我会超级努力的)太随意了(在面试中说'meccha ganbarimasu'太口语化了——应该用'とても'或'非常に')面接で「めっちゃ頑張ります」はカジュアルすぎる (Decir 'meccha ganbarimasu' en una entrevista de trabajo es demasiado coloquial — usa とても o 非常に)면접에서 '멧챠 열심히 하겠습니다'는 너무 캐주얼함 (면접에서 '멧챠 간바리마스'라고 하면 너무 캐주얼하다 — とても나 非常に를 사용해야 한다)
Common Mistakes
- Using めっちゃ in formal writing or speeches — it is casual-only, use とても or 非常に instead
- Not knowing it originated from Kansai dialect — some Kansai speakers consider it 'their word'
Origin & History
Originally Kansai dialect (めちゃくちゃ → めちゃ → めっちゃ), meaning 'absurdly' or 'unreasonably.' Spread nationwide from the 1990s through TV, particularly Osaka comedians. Now universally understood and used across Japan.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s nationwide adoption, originally Kansai dialect
Generation: All ages in casual speech
Social background: Universal informal speech
Regional notes: Originally Kansai dialect, now used across all of Japan. One of the most successful dialect-to-standard crossovers. Some older speakers still prefer とても.
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