There are many examples of polite language.#

The main characters, Tsukasa and Haruyuki, speak in polite language because they have just met and maintain a certain distance in their relationship. Additionally, Tsukasa also uses polite language when speaking to the ghost of the ex-wife, so there are relatively many examples of polite conversation. Furthermore, since Haruyuki is always polite to those around him and is portrayed as having a very kind personality, readers can be exposed to examples of polite language that leave a positive impression on the conversation partner.

Source: Roku Sakura, Koisuru 2DK, Ayakashi Zensai Tsuki.(KADOKAWA)

Furigana on Kanji.#

In this work, all kanji have furigana, except for a few exceptions. This allows Japanese learners who struggle with reading kanji to follow the story without the hassle of looking up pronunciations.

Source: Roku Sakura, Koisuru 2DK, Ayakashi Zensai Tsuki.(KADOKAWA)

Understanding the Japanese Prefix “超” in Colloquial Expressions#

In contemporary Japanese, the prefix “超” (chō) is frequently used in casual speech to intensify the meaning of adjectives and adverbs. Expressions like “超面倒” (chō mendō, “super annoying”) or “超厳しい” (chō kibishii, “super strict”) first gained popularity with young people and are now widely recognized. This linguistic phenomenon is akin to the use of English intensifiers like “super,” “very,” “really,” or even “mega.”

Historical Context of “超”#

The character “超” originates from Classical Chinese and traditionally means “to surpass” or “to transcend.” In older and more formal Japanese usage, it conveyed a sense of exceeding a limit or going beyond a standard—a meaning still preserved in compound words like:

超越 (chōetsu): transcendence
超特急 (chōtokkyū): super express (train)

The shift from formal to casual usage began in the late 20th century, particularly through media, pop culture, and youth slang. By the 1980s and 1990s, “超” became a common prefix in everyday conversation, similar to the informal use of “super” in English.

Nuances and Usage of “超” Today#

Comparison with English Intensifiers#

While “超” is often translated as “super,” subtle differences exist:

From Youth Slang to Everyday Language#

While “chō” (超) is often associated with younger people, it is actually used by a much broader age range. The use of “chō” as an intensifier began in the 1990s, but instead of fading as a passing trend, it became a permanent part of everyday language. As a result, the generation that popularized “chō” during their youth continues to use it today—making it common even among people in their 50s.

Other Popular Emphatic Prefixes in Japanese Slang#

“chō” is just one of several emphatic prefixes that originated from youth slang. Other examples include:

“meccha” (めっちゃ) – Originally from the Kansai dialect, it later spread to young people nationwide and is now considered as widely used as “chō.”
“oni” (鬼) – Literally meaning “demon,” it adds extreme emphasis, as in “oni-yabai” (鬼やばい)” meaning “super dangerous” or “insanely amazing.”
“kuso” (くそ) – A crude prefix meaning “damn” or “really,” often used for emphasis (e.g., “kuso-atsui” (くそ暑い)—“damn hot”).
“maji” (マジ) – Derived from “majime” (serious), it means “really” or “seriously” (e.g., “maji-de?” (マジで？)—“Seriously?”).

Among these, “meccha” is especially notable for transitioning from regional dialect to mainstream slang, further demonstrating how youth-driven expressions can cross generational and geographic boundaries over time.

The ex-wife’s ghost speaks in an old-fashioned manner#

Tamamo, the ghost of Haruyuki’s ex-wife, originally a fox spirit, speaks in an old-fashioned and rough manner, similar to that of a samurai. Please be aware that imitating this speech style in real-life conversations might give the impression that you’re talking like a character from manga or anime.

Source: Roku Sakura, Koisuru 2DK, Ayakashi Zensai Tsuki.(KADOKAWA)