Kusa-sugiru (草すぎる) is a common piece of Japanese internet slang. It is derived from the word ‘kusa’ (grass), which represents the letter ‘w’—the Japanese equivalent of ‘lol’. When something is ‘kusa-sugiru,’ it literally means ‘too much grass,’ or more accurately, ‘this is hilarious.’ It is used when a situation or comment is so funny that it generates an abundance of laughter.
In the digital age, Japanese netizens began using ‘w’ to stand for warau (to laugh). Because a long string of ‘w’s looks like blades of grass on a screen, the term ‘kusa’ (grass) was born. Kusa-sugiru is the superlative form, used to emphasize extreme amusement.
Friend A: Did you see that video of the cat trying to jump on the table and missing?
Friend B: Yes, it was absolutely kusa-sugiru! I almost fell off my chair.
While this term is perfect for casual text conversations or social media, keep in mind that it is strictly informal. Using it in a professional setting or with someone you do not know well could appear unprofessional or dismissive.
Pro-tip: If you want to use it even more casually, you can just say ‘Kusa’ (Grass) or ‘Daiki’ (Big grass) to express that something is funny. However, stick to ‘Omoshiroi’ if you are speaking in a formal environment!
For more insights into casual expressions and how they compare to other descriptors, check out our guides on What Does ‘Uzai’ Mean? and What Does ‘Sore-na’ Mean? to further enhance your conversational Japanese.
