Strange and surprising
Core words, Stage 1chunk 40 of 55Adjectives: things and situations
React when something seems off, odd or unexpected.
- okashiistrange, odd, wrong; funny
- igaiunexpected, surprising
- fushigistrange, mysterious; puzzling
- ayashiisuspicious, fishy; doubtful
Mix-ups Okashii is 'something's wrong', ayashii is 'suspicious', fushigi is 'mysterious' with no blame.
okashii
polite okashii desu
strange, odd, wrong; funny
Mostly 'something's off': 'nanka okashii' means something's wrong.
Before a noun you also hear 'okashina': 'okashina hanashi' (a strange story). 'Okashi' is sweets.
kono kikai, nanka okashii yo.
Something's wrong with this machine.
この機械、なんかおかしいよ。
kono kikai, nanika okashii desu.
Something seems wrong with this machine.
この機械、何かおかしいです。
Written おかしい · おかしいですRank #2595 in 3,030 TV dramas
igai
polite igai desu
unexpected, surprising
Mostly 'igai to' (surprisingly): 'igai to oishii'.
Sounds the same as 'igai' (except, other than); context tells them apart.
igai to oishii ne, kore.
This is surprisingly good.
意外とおいしいね、これ。
igai to oishii desu ne.
It's surprisingly good.
意外とおいしいですね。
Written 意外 · いがい · 意外ですRank #798 in 3,030 TV dramas
fushigi
polite fushigi desu
strange, mysterious; puzzling
For things you can't explain, said with wonder rather than suspicion.
'Fushigi ja nai' means 'no wonder, that's not surprising'.
fushigi da ne, zenzen tsukarenai.
Weird, I'm not tired at all.
不思議だね、全然疲れない。
fushigi desu ne, zenzen tsukaremasen.
It's strange, I'm not tired at all.
不思議ですね、全然疲れません。
Written 不思議 · ふしぎ · 不思議ですRank #920 in 3,030 TV dramas
ayashii
polite ayashii desu
suspicious, fishy; doubtful
Also 'doubtful, iffy': 'Ashita wa chotto ayashii' means tomorrow might not work.
ano hito, nanka ayashii ne.
That guy seems kind of shady.
あの人、なんか怪しいね。
ano hito, nanka ayashii desu ne.
That person seems a bit suspicious.
あの人、なんか怪しいですね。
Written 怪しい · あやしい · 怪しいですRank #1094 in 3,030 TV dramas