擬人化
gijinka[ɡʲiʑĩŋka̠]
Anthropomorphism is 擬人化 in Japanese.
The term refers to the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. In Japanese pop culture, it is frequently used to describe the practice of designing characters based on non-human objects or animals, such as 動物 (animal) characters or characters based on an オブジェクト (object).
Meaning: the attribution or ascription of human characteristics to something not human (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 擬人化 is composed of 擬 (mimic/imitate), 人 (person) and 化 (to become/change into).
How do you pronounce it?
gijinka
Did you know?
- The term 擬人化 is used as a genre label for 'moe anthropomorphism', where abstract concepts like operating systems or even warships are reimagined as cute human girls.
- The character 擬 in 擬人化 is also found in the word 擬似 (giji), meaning 'pseudo' or 'simulated', linking anthropomorphism to the concept of an imitation.
- While 擬人化 describes the general act of anthropomorphism, Japanese literature uses the specific term 擬人法 to refer to the technical rhetorical device of personification.
Examples in context
- このキャラクターは擬人化されていて、可愛いですねThis character has been anthropomorphized, and they are so cute!
- 最新のゲームで擬人化された動物たちが主役ですIn the latest game, the main characters are anthropomorphized animals.
- この絵は動物の擬人化ですね。Kono e wa doubutsu no gijinka desu ne.This picture is an anthropomorphism of animals.
- 物語の中で、植物が擬人化されています。Monogatari no naka de, shokubutsu ga gijinka sarete imasu.Plants are anthropomorphized in the story.
- 擬人化されたキャラクターはとても可愛いです。Gijinka sareta kyarakutaa wa totemo kawaii desu.The anthropomorphized characters are very cute.
Example conversation
Himari and Kenta are discussing a new manga series.
- 陽葵 Himariこの漫画は擬人化がすごく上手ですね。Kono manga wa gijinka ga sugoku jouzu desu ne.This manga is really good at anthropomorphism, isn't it?
- 健太 Kentaそうですね。キャラクターがとても個性的です。Sou desu ne. Kyarakutaa ga totemo koseiteki desu.I agree. The characters have a lot of personality.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは擬人化されたキャラが好きですか？Kenta-san wa gijinka sareta kyara ga suki desu ka?Kenta, do you like anthropomorphized characters?
- 健太 Kentaはい、特に動物の擬人化が大好きです。Hai, tokuni doubutsu no gijinka ga daisuki desu.Yes, I especially love the anthropomorphism of animals.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 擬人化, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
