Ukeru · real Japanese from comedy
Saved0
Textbook  →  on stage

→

“isn’t it?” / “see?” / “you know” · How people really talk
いいじゃないか→いいじゃん

The tag 〜じゃないか (“isn’t it?”) is cut down to 〜じゃん. いいじゃないか becomes いいじゃん, 言ったじゃないか becomes 言ったじゃん. With a rising tone (〜じゃん?) it asks the listener to agree.

Use it withFriends OKCoworkers carefulBoss / teacher avoid

Very common and friendly. It pulls the listener in, often with a light tease.

2,035 lines with 〜じゃん from 202 comedians in the library · Counts updated 2026-10-07
Audience laughter in this scene0:21
Yonbun no San · Red Light, Green Light

During a game of Daruma-san ga koronda, two friends confess their feelings, but one says there's a reason they can't date.

Culture note だるまさんがころんだ is a Japanese children's game like Red Light, Green Light: players must freeze whenever "it" turns around.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

The three of us have always been together, right?

Textbook私たち3人はずっと一緒だったではありませんか。"だったじゃないか" → "だったじゃん": "じゃん" reminds the listener of something both already know.

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:14
Tachette · Acting Like Her Little Brother

One performer keeps acting like the other's little brother, but she says she isn't his sister and won't go anywhere with him.

Culture note Gotemba Premium Outlets is a famous outlet mall near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

But we went to the Gotemba outlets together the other day!

Textbookでも、この前一緒に御殿場のアウトレットには行ったじゃないですか。"じゃん" is a contraction of "じゃないか"; after "行った" it means "we did go, remember?"

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:15
Senritsu no Peekaboo · The Beautiful Detective

A detective checks each suspect's arm for a tattoo and asks one suspect to undo their sleeve button.

Culture note The suspects are named after Tokyo train stations: Osaki and Takanawa Gateway are on the JR Yamanote Line.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

I'm telling you to roll up your sleeve!

Textbook腕をまくってくださいと言っているではありませんか。"言っているじゃないか" → "っつってんじゃん": "じゃん" adds exasperated "I already told you, didn't I?"

Speed: normal
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:15
France Piano · Practicing for When You Break a Bone

Two performers practice what to do when someone breaks a bone; one plays the injured person asking to be treated.

Culture note Manzai duos traditionally end a routine with "もういいよ" ("That's enough!") followed by "ありがとうございました".

The words appear when the audience laughs.

I'm totally gonna die!

Textbook絶対に死ぬじゃないですか。"じゃん" shortens "じゃないか"; after plain "死ぬ" it insists the result is obvious: "I'll die, obviously!"

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:21
Kanazawa TKC Factory · Overworked

Someone keeps saying they're in terrible shape today, then suddenly remembers something about their alarm clock.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

Oh man, that's right — me…

Textbookああ、そうでした。私は…"そうじゃないか" shrinks to "そうじゃん": here a sudden "oh right!" realization, said to oneself.

Speed: slow
Watch the whole routine →
All lines

More lines with 〜じゃん

From other routines in the library. Automatic transcripts, not yet checked line by line.

Quick answers

What does 〜じゃん mean?

〜じゃん means “isn’t it?” / “see?” / “you know”. The tag 〜じゃないか (“isn’t it?”) is cut down to 〜じゃん. いいじゃないか becomes いいじゃん, 言ったじゃないか becomes 言ったじゃん. With a rising tone (〜じゃん?) it asks the listener to agree.

Is 〜じゃん rude? Who can you say it to?

With friends: OK. With coworkers: careful. With a boss or teacher: avoid. Very common and friendly. It pulls the listener in, often with a light tease.

How common is 〜じゃん in real speech?

In 1,905 live comedy routines, 〜じゃん appears in 2,035 lines from 202 comedians.

How people really talk