Hello all. I am new to the forum, so please excuse me if I have not chosen the correct place for my question.

I am writing a story (solely to amuse myself) in which one character is a 16 year old boy, raised in Japan, but now living in a European county. And I find that my own cultural upbringing is very inappropriate for 'his' speech.

For example, as I was raised in a culture dominated by a Christian belief system, it is reflected in my language. "God damn it." "Jeez, what was that?" and "What the hell do you think you are doing?" for some quick and obvious examples.

I was wondering just what phrases would be common for a young man NOT raised in a culture where the Christian belief system is not all encompassing.

Not necessarily profanity, although I'm certain that it is part of the modern day language for Japan, but what sort of phrases could one expect to hear, if you were in Japan and the hot bowl of soup landed in someone's lap.

Any information would be welcome.

Thank you,
Melisenda

Well, that's easy. Just take what you would normally say, remove all the Christian references, and you're good to go:

God damn it --> Damn it
Jeez, what was that? --> What was that?
What the hell do you think you are doing? --> What do you think you're doing?

QUOTE:
phrases could one expect to hear, if you were in Japan and the hot bowl of soup landed in someone's lap.

Ouch! Hot! Itatata...etc (If it spilled on the Japanese guy)

I'm so sorry! Are you okay? (If Japanese guy was doing the spilling)

In the end, people are people. Just because they're Japanese doesn't mean they're going to have a drastically different response over spilling something. Hope that helps.