Japanese Surf Lingo
Ever want to know how to talk "surf lingo" in Japanese? Well look
no further than JAPANSURF.COM. Here you'll find a list of all the "need
to know" surf lingo and vocabulary to keep your brain cells busy. Let us
know if there's a word or phrase that you don't see here and we'll put it up
for you. In the meantime this'll get you started!
Getting Started...
How's the waves?
- Nami dou?
How do you get to the beach?
- Beach made, do yatte ittara ii?
How far to the beach?
- Beach made, dono gurai desu ka?
How big is it?
- Size wa dono gurai?
Where's my surfboard?
- Ore no ita wa doko?
Is it cold in?
- Mizu ga tsumetai desu ka?
Is it warm in?
- Mizu ga attakai desu ka?
These waves are shit!
- Nami Gucha Gucha ya!
How much is that _____?
- Sono _____ wa ikura desu ka?
Vocabulary...
Surfing = Saafin
Wave = Wave / Nami
Power = Chikara
Powerful = Chikara ga aru
Wind = Kaze
1 = ichi
2 = ni
3 = san
4 = shi or yon
5 = go
6 = roku
7 = shichi or nana
8 = hachi
9 = kyu
10 = jyu
Wave Size...
Knee High = Hiza
Waist High = Koshi
Chest High = Mune
Shoulder High = Kata
Head High = Atama
Overhead = Oobahead
Double Overhead = Double
- You can also mix two of them together: Hiza-Koshi = Knee-Waist High Waves
- If you put the word "gurai" after one of the above - it becomes about ".." high: Atama gurai = about head high.
Equipment...
Most of the English words are the same except for a few:
Surfboard = Sarfuboardo or "Ita"
Legrope / Leash = Powercord / Leash
Grip = Dekki Paddo
Short Sleeved Steamer = Seagull (don't ask me why!?)
Wetshirt / Rash Guard = Rash guard
Boardshorts = Trunks
General...
Warm Water = mizu ga attakai
Cold Water = mizu ga tsumetai
A little bit cold = chotto samui
Early = hayai
Late = Osoi
Morning = Asa
Midday = Hiru
Late afternoon = Yugata
Night = Yoru
Close Out = Dumpa
Choppy = Choppy
Just a mess! = Gucha Gucha!