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ossu

What does ossu mean?

A punchy, informal Japanese greeting or affirmation associated with martial-arts and delinquent characters, used by fans for a tough-guy 'hey'.

"Ossu! Ready to train?"

Origin

Japanese 押忍 / おっす (ossu), a contracted rough greeting, common in dojo and sports settings.

Frequently asked questions

What does ossu mean?
It is a rough, masculine Japanese greeting or affirmation, roughly 'hey' or 'yes sir', associated with martial-arts and delinquent characters.
When do characters say ossu?
It is common in dojo and sports settings, used as a punchy greeting or an energetic 'ready to go' affirmation.
Where does ossu come from?
It comes from Japanese 押忍 / おっす (ossu), a contracted rough greeting.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.