ギャル
gyaru
gyaru is the Japanese term for gyaru.
The term refers to a specific Japanese subculture characterized by distinctive fashion, often involving heavy makeup, tanned skin and bleached hair. While it originally described a fashion subculture, it is also used more broadly to describe a certain 'party girl' or assertive personality type.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ギャル is a Japanese phonetic transcription of the English word 'gal'.
Which one should you use?
The standard term to describe a gyaru is ギャル, which can also be written in hiragana as ぎゃる. You may also encounter the informal adjective ギャルっぽい to describe someone who embodies the style, look or behavior of a gyaru. For emphasizing someone's gyaru style or appearance, the informal phrase ギャルっぷり (gyaru-ness) can be used.
How do you pronounce it?
gyaru
Did you know?
- While the word sounds modern, it was first recorded in Japanese text as early as 1931, though it did not become a cultural phenomenon until several decades later.
- While often associated with youth, the 'gyaru' spirit is now seen in agejo style, where the look is adapted for adult nightlife and hostess clubs.
- The phonetic transcription ギャル closely mirrors 'gyal', a dialectal spelling of 'gal' used in Jamaican Patois and some English Caribbean accents.
Examples in context
- あの子、ギャルっぽいね。That girl looks gyaru-ish.
- 渋谷にはたくさんのギャルがいます。There are many gyaru in Shibuya.
- 彼女はとても派手なギャルです。Kanojo wa totemo hade na gyaru desu.She is a very flashy gyaru.
- あの人はギャルのファッションが好きです。Ano hito wa gyaru no fasshon ga suki desu.That person likes gyaru fashion.
- 昔、彼女はギャルでした。Mukashi, kanojo wa gyaru deshita.She was a gyaru in the past.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a fashion magazine.
- 陽太 Yotaこの雑誌のモデル、すごいギャルだね。Kono zasshi no moderu, sugoi gyaru dane.The model in this magazine is such a gyaru.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ。メイクが派手でかっこいい！Hontō da. Meiku ga hade de kakkoii!You're right. Her makeup is bold and cool!
- 陽太 Yota美咲もギャルになりたいの？Misaki mo gyaru ni naritai no?Do you want to be a gyaru too, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、見るだけが好きだよ。Iie, miru dake ga suki dayo.No, I just like looking at them.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ギャル, CC BY-SA 4.0.
