Avoid being offensive when using Osu!

Since "Osu!" is considered a rough, masculine expression in Japanese, it may offend certain Japanese, so when you use it with Japanese, be very careful to follow the appropriate usage.

Man to Man. "Osu!" is a masculine word usually only spoken by men. The word is rough and associated with all athletic activities, not just the martial arts. Women rarely use the word except maybe in karate classes. Women in Japan have specific speech, and when men address them, to be polite, they tend to use a gentler style in their speech. When men use "Osu!", it is generally not directed at women.
Your own age group. Except during athletic activities, "Osu!" is generally only spoken toward people within the speaker's own age group. As a non-polite expression, using it toward your friends is also appropriate.
Your in-group. The Japanese are very sensitive to in-groups and out-groups. Polite speech is always used outward away from your in-group and plain speech is used toward your in-group. So, when you use "Osu!" toward a man your age at a karate class, you are indicating that the two of you are friends outside of class.
As a greeting. "Osu!" is primarily a greeting. You use it toward other people, not toward an empty room when you bow onto the mat or before you perform a kata. You cannot really use it for "goodbye." It is never a question, and does not mean, "I understand."

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