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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) ?
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2019-08-23T05:26:06.153
70284
2020-07-17T19:23:49.163
2020-07-17T19:23:49.163
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question
slang casual
Couple of slangs I've heard when watching anime
As far as チーズ goes, its just means "cheese". It is most often used in real
life when talking about cheese, or before someone takes a picture. I'm also
not sure what you mean when you say how it is "pronounced in English". Perhaps
you are confusing pronouncing words with spelling them.

おっと does mean "whoops" for the most part, though I think like many phrases
used in anime (うわぁ included), it is used to show focus on a characters
reaction or feeling, something I don't think real people do. I can only think
of one time I've ever heard it used in real life, and even then they were just
being quirky. I hear しまった much more often when people are expressing a
"whoops" feeling.

うわぁ is used to express a feeling of being stunned or in awe of something, I'm
sure you saw a female character use it when seeing some beautiful scenery or
food. I've never heard it used in real life. I would also venture to say it
has a more positive connotation, not like やばい.

The only advice I can give you is that if you ask for help on a public forum
about translating from context, it would be helpful to those answering if you
provided that context (what was happening in the show when you heard the
word/phraseとか). Also if you are using streaming services to watch anime, it
helps to use Japanese subtitles. It is much easier to look up words when you
can see them written out.
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2019-08-23T09:19:26.157
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2019-08-23T12:00:59.373
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> 「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.
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2019-08-23T12:21:13.327
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answer