Senpai Japanese · also written “sempai”
The Japanese your textbook skipped, explained by a senpai.
Manga is full of words textbooks never teach: slang, rough speech, jokes that only work in Japanese. Our workbooks explain them one by one, tell you whether you can actually say them, and show you how.
まじで maji de
- Where it appears
- Page and panel reference, with the line quoted as briefly as possible.
- Meaning
- “Seriously?” / “For real?” — surprise or disbelief.
- Can you use it?
- Friends only Safe to reuse Rude
- Say it like this
- え、まじで？もう終わったの？
Seriously? You finished it already? - Grammar note
- まじ (“serious”) + で. With a rising tone it becomes a question.
One PDF, three depths
Every workbook has three levels as separate page ranges. Start where you are; go deeper when you are ready. The cover links straight to each level.
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Level 1
About JLPT N5–N4
The meaning, in plain English, and when it is safe to say it.
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Level 2
About JLPT N3
How to use it yourself, with natural spoken examples.
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Level 3
About JLPT N2 and up
Grammar notes and the nuance behind the word choice.
Made for you if…
- English is your first language and you are learning Japanese.
- You read manga and want to understand what characters are really saying.
- You are studying for the JLPT and want vocabulary that sticks.
Also from Senpai Japanese
- Senpai Class — our online Japanese class: one anime season, 12 weekly classes. Sign-ups open soon.
- Senpai Club — a members’ community for learners. Coming later.
Which anime should we do next?
Tell us the anime or manga you want to learn Japanese with. Requests decide our next class seasons and workbooks.