Couple of slangs I've heard when watching anime


In one of the animes I've watched recently (can't recall the title), I heard
words like "チーズ" (not sure if this is how it's spelt in katakana since I only
heard the word, but as for how it's pronounced in English, it would most
probably sound like cheeeeesee) and "をっと" (English pronunciation : wotto).

Judging from context, the former means "hello" and the latter, "whoops". And
there is also "うわあ" (uwaa) which probably means "yikes" (I'm guessing, in a
bad way, something like "やばっ") in English.

So the questions that arises are, since I am only translating based on
context, I am not sure if they mean what I think they meant. Can anyone
correct/ advice on this?

Secondly, are these words even used in real life (I have only heard them on
anime) ?




> 「チーズ」

If it sounded like 「チーズ」 and it was said in a scene where one would say
"Hello!", it would almost have to be:

「 **ちっす** 」、「 **ちーっす** 」, etc.

It is an informal and slangy "Hi!" that comes from 「こんに **ち** はっ **す** 」、「こん
**ち** ゃっ **す** 」, etc.

Naturally, this has nothing to do with cheese.

> 「をっと」

If this was uttered where you would expect to hear "Whoops!", then it would
be:

・「おっと」

・「うおっと」 (emphatic version of above)

It is an interjection uttered when you are surprised by something happening
all of a sudden or when something catches your attention.

Finally,

> 「うわあ」

You heard this one right. It is an exclamation used in all kinds of
situations.

You mentioned "Yikes!" and that would be one meaning of it. We use it upon
seeing/hearing something we like as well. It is an all-purpose exclamation.

> are these words even used in real life?

Yes, of course. All three are actively used among us native speakers in real
life. You would, however, need to understand that 「ちっす」 is only used by
certain (young) speakers in casual situations.




> 「チーズ」

If it sounded like 「チーズ」 and it was said in a scene where one would say
"Hello!", it would almost have to be:

「 **ちっす** 」、「 **ちーっす** 」, etc.

It is an informal and slangy "Hi!" that comes from 「こんに **ち** はっ **す** 」、「こん
**ち** ゃっ **す** 」, etc.

Naturally, this has nothing to do with cheese.

> 「をっと」

If this was uttered where you would expect to hear "Whoops!", then it would
be:

・「おっと」

・「うおっと」 (emphatic version of above)

It is an interjection uttered when you are surprised by something happening
all of a sudden or when something catches your attention.

Finally,

> 「うわあ」

You heard this one right. It is an exclamation used in all kinds of
situations.

You mentioned "Yikes!" and that would be one meaning of it. We use it upon
seeing/hearing something we like as well. It is an all-purpose exclamation.

> are these words even used in real life?

Yes, of course. All three are actively used among us native speakers in real
life. You would, however, need to understand that 「ちっす」 is only used by
certain (young) speakers in casual situations.

