“Before words became words,
the core trembled in silence.
When memory and emotion converged,
language first touched the world.”
Some lexemes were born from story.
Others still wait to be remembered.
This dictionary does not claim to hold every answer.
But it holds something rarer:
a space where meaning can breathe.
If you’ve ever paused at a manga panel,
wondering why a word felt heavier than its definition—
this book was made for you.
* To open the dictionary, please click the dictionay.
This dictionary is online, but uses a paper-based table format, allowing you to instantly see any closely related spellings. Manga is full of unique expressions, such as onomatopoeia, dialects, slang, and imperfect mumblings, that create a sense of realism, and the spelling varies from artist to artist. Since it's not subject to the space constraints of paper media, we've devised a way to fit similar expressions within a page. It contains approximately 10,000 words and phrases. この辞書はオンラインですが紙媒体の表形式を採用しています。酷似表記を即座に目視できるように。漫画には、オノマトペ、方言、俗語、不完全なつぶやきなど臨場感に溢れる漫画家独自の表現が多く見られ、その綴りは漫画家十色。一方、紙媒体の紙面制約を受けないので、近い表現をページ内に収める工夫をしました。約一万語句を収録。
Sample entries from this book.
Kazuha Toyama 「遠山和葉」 PROFILE: Daughter of the Osaka Police Chief and childhood friend of Heiji Hattori, from [Detective Conan]. A spirited, caring, yet stubborn "Naniwa (Osaka) schoolgirl" who becomes endearingly clumsy whenever Heiji is involved. She idealizes human relationships based on loyalty and compassion「義理人情(ぎりにんじょう)」.
SPEECH STYLE:Naniwa-ben (Osaka Dialect). Kazuha speaks Naniwa-ben - a thick Kansai dialect, characterized by stronger vowel sounds and a rhythmic flow compared to Standard Japanese. She frequently uses endings like 「~やya 」(is/am),「 ~ねんnen」 (emphasizer), and 「~かてkate」 (but/even). For her, this dialect is more than just a regional accent; it's a symbol of her shared identity with Heiji.
TRANSLATION PITFALLS: Literal vs. Nuanced vs. Japanese. Reading her literally can lead to a misunderstanding of her character:
1. 「せやかて、平次」Seyakate, Heiji. ( A mix of impatience, familiarity, and a hint of rivalry toward Heiji’s best friend. It’s "meddling" born out of affection.)
LT: "But, Heiji." (It sounds merely an argumentative or logical boy.)
FT: "Oh, come on, Heiji!" (Close, but it's not Kazuha yet.)
2. 「アホ! 何(なん) いゆてんねん」Aho! Nan iuten-nen! (In Osaka, Aho (idiot) is often a term of endearment. This phrase captures her bashfulness and her inability to be honest about her feelings.)
LT: "Idiot! What are you saying?" (She sounds aggressive or insulting.)
FT: "Stop it! You’re being ridiculous!"
Notes: The Japanese used in manga changes like a living thing, imbuing it with the soul of the characters and reaching directly into the reader's heart.. Kazuha's Osaka dialect reveals(forms) her character: Gentle, high school girl, expressive of emotions, her feelings for Heiji, girlish shyness, but strong at heart. ⇨コナン。
The single character "「わ」wa" in Kazuha's "「ほんまやわ」Honma ya wa" (That's true) embodies both "complete trust in the other person" and "everyday ease." Because this is an "expression of emotion close to a sigh," it's a big challenge to convey using English grammatical structures (subject + verb...); it isn't a matter of the length of the explanatory text.
Ichibetsu wo kureru 「一瞥をくれる」 A literal translation would be "To give a quick glance." While it's simply the act of glancing at someone for just a split second, in the context of manga, it means "「刹那(せつな)の腕前定(うでまえさだ)め」Evaluation in a Heartbeat." It's an extremely efficient and arrogant recognition, performed when one has decided that the other person isn't even worth looking at closely and has instantly seen through their abilities and true nature. To cast a fleeting glance. / To spare a single look. / To size someone up in a blink. [NUANCE IN MANGA] This phrase symbolizes "a thorough ranking by those in power." A powerful boss or a solitary genius glances at(「チラリと」) an opponent who is desperately trying to challenge them. That gaze contains an Overwhelming Contempt, meaning "「その程度(ていど)か」 You are not even close to my level." Conversely, if the protagonist gives a "glance"(「一瞥(いちべつ)をくれる」) as they leave, it signifies a Silent Farewell, indicating that they have graduated from their former nemesis and that "「もはや相手(あいて)ではない」you are no longer a competitor." [COMMON SCENES] 1. The Gaze from the Throne: When a challenger arrives out of breath, the Demon King sitting on the throne briefly looks up from the book he is reading and "「……一瞥(いちべつ)をくれた」gives a glance" before returning to his book (meaning he has decided the challenger is not worth fighting). 2. The Moment of Passing By: When the strongest swordsman passes through a horde of foot soldiers, not a single one stops, but he gives only one skilled swordsman(「一人(ひとり)の手練(てだ)れ」) a "glance" before walking away..
Notes: "「瞥」Betsu" means "「ちらりと見(み)る」to glance at." In everyday life, it is often used in the negative form, such as "「一瞥(いちべつ)だにしない」not even a glance (not looking at all)," but in the world of manga, it is rephrased as "「あえて一瞥(いちべつ)をくれる」to dare to give a glance," which carries the arrogant nuance of "the strong bestowing their gaze upon the weak." [READERS' EXCITEMENT POINT] What will make readers say "「キタキタ！」Here it comes!" is the tension of knowing that victory or defeat is decided by a single glance. Readers will be thrilled by the density of information contained in that split second's gaze (the awareness of the difference in power), and then they will get excited by the presentation of the power dynamics (power structure) of whether the subsequent development will be "「一撃(いちげき)で倒(たお)す」ended in one blow" or whether they will "「その視線(しせん)にすら入(はい)らない」not even be caught in that gaze." [NEXT MOMENT] This is a turning point: the strong man who glanced at you will either mutter, "「つまらん」Boring," or grin and say, "「少(すこ)しは相手(あいて)になりそうだ」 This looks like it might be a little fun." In any case, the next moment, the one who cast the glance will perform a God-mode performance, completely seizing control of the battlefield.
Myorini tsukiru 「冥利に尽きる」
It refers to the feeling of having the ultimate honor or greatest blessing as one holds a certain position or profession. It describes a state of deep satisfaction when one's efforts and talents are recognized, and one feels truly glad that they chose this path.The greatest honor / Could not ask for more / A dream come true for a (professional). [NUANCE IN MANGA]: In manga, this phrase signifies "the pinnacle of professionalism." It is uttered with a quiet smile by seasoned veterans or warriors who risk their lives in battle, upon witnessing a fierce fight against a formidable enemy or the growth of their apprentices. This is not merely joy, but a symbol of ultimate satisfaction(「自分(じぶん)の人生(じんせい)が報(むく)われた」), often foreshadowing the end, signifying a sense of redemption or validation of one's life. [COMMON SCENES]: 1. Showdown with a formidable foe: After giving his all against the nemesis he has pursued his entire life, he laughs as he bleeds, laughing just before collapsing from exhaustion, saying, "To be able to fight a man like you... it's the ultimate reward for a martial artist「…武芸者(ぶげいしゃ)冥利(みょうり)に尽(つ)きるぜ」." 2. The awakening of a disciple: A master watches as his disciple surpasses his skills and quietly accepts retirement (or death), saying, "To be surpassed by my apprentice, it's the ultimate reward for a master「..師匠(ししょう)冥利(みょうり)に尽(つ)きるな」." 3. A craftsman's masterpiece: A legendary swordsmith sheds tears as he witnesses his greatest masterpiece fall into the hands of a hero and defeat the Demon King, saying, "「職人(しょくにん)冥利(みょうり)に尽(つきるというものだ」This is the ultimate reward for a craftsman."
Notes: 身(み)に余(あま)る光栄(こうえい)、本望(ほんもう)。Being in that position brings one the greatest joy and blessings, and one doesn't think one could be happier. The term "「冥利」myōri" originates from the Buddhist term "「冥益」myōyaku," meaning invisible blessings bestowed by gods and Buddhas. By extension, it came to refer to the greatest blessings one can receive from their position (such as actor, samurai, or chef). It is a word that strongly reflects the Japanese cultural spirit of striving to master one's "「道(みち)」way" or "path." [READERS' EXCITEMENT POINT]: "「魂(たましい)の浄化(じょうか)」It's a purification of the soul (catharsis)!" Readers who know the hardships the character has endured will be deeply moved by these words, thinking, "「本当(ほんとう)によかったね……」I'm so glad for them..." In particular, the "「散(ち)り際(ぎわ)の美学(びがく)」aesthetics of dying" when this line is spoken at the moment of death will bring readers to tears, but will also be captivated by the character's "「本望(ほんもう)」true desire" to die. 冥利(みょうり)、尽(つ)きる