はげ
hage
The Japanese word for "bald" is はげ (hage).
はげ is used to describe the state of baldness or to refer to a bald person. It functions primarily as a blunt noun or a label for baldness.
Meaning: having little or no hair (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
はげ is often used as a derogatory noun or a blunt label rather than a polite adjective. Using the katakana form ハゲ is also a colloquial and casual way to say "bald".
How do you pronounce it?
hage
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word ハゲ散らかす (hage-chirakasu) which describes the process of losing hair in a messy or scattered way.
- In traditional Japanese culture, a shaved head was a symbol of Buddhist monkhood, which creates a historical contrast to the modern derogatory use of はげ.
- To avoid the bluntness of はげ, people often use the phrase おでこが広い, which literally means 'the forehead is wide'.
Examples in context
- 禿げの頭でも魅力的な人もいますよ。There are also attractive people with bald heads.
- 最近、ハゲになってきたね。You've been going bald recently, huh?
- 彼ははげている。Kare wa hage te iru.He is bald.
- あの人ははげている。Ano hito wa hage te iru.That person is bald.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new teacher.
- 大翔 Hiroto新しい先生ははげだったよ。Atarashii sensei wa hage datta yo.The new teacher was bald.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、本当に？E, hontou ni?What, really?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、頭がすごく光っていた。Un, atama ga sugoku hikatte ita.Yeah, his head was really shining.
- 結衣 Yui個性的でいいと思うよ。Koseiteki de ii to omou yo.I think it's nice and unique.
