Question

I recently was chatting with a few friends when one brought up this Japanese slang word: 'テンパる'

'テンパイ' is verbalized with the suffix `-る' into 'テンパる'.

The slang word originates from 聴牌 (from the game mahjong).

How would this word be used in a sentence?

Answer 1

I haven't the slightest idea.

Answer 2

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lolking.net%2Fsummoner%2Feuw%2F42286868&ei=Ny3YUpWPJoiSkQfC2IHwBQ&usg=AFQjCNEzlaJsJ3l9IrMih5lKXyPE5iUB6A&bvm=bv.59568121,d.eW0

Apparently, it's a summoner from LoL

Answer 3

Well that's somewhat of an appropriate usage of the word.

Answer 4

Wish I could help, but I have never heard this word.

Answer 5

I asked my friend and she said it is kinda like how we say "lmao", "Lml", or "lol"

Answer 6

The meaning is along the lines of "getting impatient" and "losing composure" due to being rushed.

例文：牛丼屋で店員が一人しかいないのに、一度に 10 人もの客が押し寄せて、店員はテンパっていた。
Example sentence: The gyūdon shop had only one staff member, but ten people approached all at once, so the staff member lost his/her cool.

Apparently 聴牌 is the state of missing a tile needed for a complete move in mahjong.

When you look up the word you will find more cases of people asking its meaning than actual uses. I can't recall coming across it myself.

Answer 7

@wio
Thank you :-).