Meaning
What does Waifu mean?
Waifu, a slang term derived from the English word “wife,” is an intriguing part of Otaku lingo. I
t refers to a fictional female character from anime, manga, or video games that an individual has a deep emotional connection with and even romantic feelings towards. This connection can often transcend the screen, leading fans to treat their beloved “Waifus” as if they were genuine life partners. The word was formed from the katakana (Japanese syllabary, used to spell out English words) word for “wife.”
Online, the phenomenon has inspired countless memes, both among and outside Weebs.
Origin
What's the origin of Waifu?
The word “Waifu” is a Japanese borrowing and rendering of the English word “wife”.
The term in Japanese dates back to at least the 1980s, when younger Japanese people adopted the English word, due to the gender limitations of the Japanese word for “wife,” “kanai,” which literally means “inside the house.”
In the early 2000s, the expression started gaining popularity within online otaku communities and quickly spread worldwide. ű
It was caught in the limelight in 2002, thanks to the anime Azumanga Daioh. The anime included a scene, where one of the characters, Mr. Kimure drops a photo of a woman and refers to it as his “Waifu.”
This turned the expression into a popular way for passionate fans to express their intense adoration for their chosen fictional characters. Originally, the term was mainly used by male fans, targeting female characters that they cherished romantically.
Over time, the concept of “Waifus” expanded and became more inclusive. It opened doors for female fans and non-binary individuals to embrace their favorite male or non-human characters as their “husbando” or “patfu” respectively. Because everyone deserves an animated love interest!
Spread & Usage
How did Waifu spread?
In the 2000s, “Waifu” became especially popular on the boards of 4chan, where anime fans, otakus and weebs all contributed in memeing the word, flooding the forums with image macros and other funny content, revolving around the phenomenon.
With the skyrocketing popularity of anime and manga globally, the allure of “Waifus” became undeniable. Anime culture expanded fary beyond Japan in the 2010s, and created thriving communities worldwide, bringing enthusiasts together to share and celebrate their shared obsessions, including their “Waifus.”
Memes about “Waifus” and Neckbeards, who have them are still a popular trope on the internet, serving as an inexhaustible source of jokes.
So, whether you have a “Waifu,” ”Husbando,” or “Patfu,” remember that love knows no bounds—real or animated. After all, as the saying goes, “The heart wants what the heart wants,” even if it’s an imaginary 2D – or pillow – romance!
External resources
- Japan Powered – What Does Waifu Mean?
- Dictionary.com – waifu