電波

でんぱ
Alternative readings: デムパ, デンパ
JLPT:N2
Frequency:
1

Radio waves (electromagnetic waves) used for radio, mobile phones, etc.; also used to refer to signal reception.

Noun

Examples

山間部では携帯の電波が届きにくいことがある。

In mountainous areas, mobile phone signals (radio waves) can be weak.

ラジオの電波を合わせて、好きな局を探した。

I tuned the radio waves to find my favorite station.

電波干渉が起きて受信が途切れることがある。

Interference with radio waves can cause reception to drop out.

2

(Slang) Refers to strange, bizarre, or outlandish statements or ideas—saying someone is 'on the wavelength' (weird). Common in certain subcultures.

NounNa-AdjectiveSlang

Examples

彼の話は時々電波で、何を言っているのか分からない。

His talk is sometimes so weird that I can't understand what he's saying.

あのアニメは電波系のネタが多く、マニアに人気がある。

That anime has a lot of offbeat (weird) jokes and is popular with fans.