バフ
bafu[ba̠ɸɯ̟]
In Japanese, the term for 'buff' depends on whether you are talking about video game mechanics or a person's physical appearance. The default form is バフ (bafu).
The word バフ is a slang term used in the context of video games to refer to a temporary increase in a character's stats or abilities. When describing a person with a muscular and well-built body, different words are used depending on the level of formality.
Meaning: to polish and make shiny (verb)
Which one should you use?
In gaming, バフ is the direct antonym of デバフ, which refers to a temporary decrease in stats or abilities. To describe a person's physique, you can choose between several options: ムキムキ and 筋肉モリモリ are informal terms for being muscular, while ごつい means big or burly. For a formal way to say someone is muscular, use 筋肉質.
How do you pronounce it?
bafu
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a person with a muscular build, you should avoid バフ and instead use onomatopoeic words like ムキムキ. These words capture the 'look' of muscles through sound, a common feature in Japanese description.
- The word ごつい can be used to describe a person who looks 'buff' or burly, but it is also perfectly natural to use it for inanimate objects like heavy machinery or thick jewelry.
- Because バフ is a loanword from English, it is written in Katakana, the script used for foreign concepts. This signals to Japanese gamers that the term is specialized technical jargon rather than a native Japanese word.
Examples in context
- マイクさんは本当に ムキムキ だね！Mike is really buff, isn't he?
- あの選手は 筋肉質 で競技において大きなアドバンテージを持っています。That athlete is muscular and has a significant advantage in the competition.
- 金属をバフで磨く。kinzoku o bafu de migaku.To buff the metal with a buffing machine.
- 車のボディをバフで仕上げる。kuruma no bodi o bafu de shiageru.To finish the car body by buffing it.
- バフをかけて、鏡面にする。bafu o kakete, kyoumen ni suru.To buff it to a mirror finish.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are at an auto detailing workshop.
- 結衣 Yuiこの傷、バフで消せるかな？kono kizu, bafu de keseru kana?Do you think we can buff out this scratch?
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫だよ。バフをかけて綺麗にするね。daijoubu da yo. bafu o kakete kirei ni suru ne.It's fine. I'll buff it to make it look clean.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、丁寧にお願いね。Hiroto-kun, teinei ni onegai ne.Hiroto, please be careful with it.
- 大翔 Hiroto任せて。ピカピカに仕上げるよ。makasete. pikapika ni shiageru yo.Leave it to me. I'll make it shine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry バフ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
