Japanese has few true swear words. Rudeness comes from tone and impolite ways of saying “you.”

The 10 most-used swear words in Japan, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   shine死ね SHEE-nehDie.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   kutabareくたばれ koo-TA-ba-rehDrop dead.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   kisama貴様 kee-SAH-maYou bastard.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   temeeてめえ teh-MEHYou (with contempt).
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   kusottare糞ったれ koo-SOT-ta-rehShithead.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   kusoくそ KOO-soShit!
   Mild ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   chikushōちくしょう chee-KOO-showDamn it! (literally “beast”)
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   bakaばか BAH-kaIdiot.
   Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    aho阿呆 AH-hoFool (Osaka favorite).
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    uzaiうざい oo-ZAIAnnoying.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it