ホーボー
hōbō
The Japanese word for hobo is ホーボー (hōbō).
The term is used to refer to a homeless person.
Meaning: homeless person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ホーボー is a loanword used for hobo, the term 放浪者 is a formal way to say vagrant. However, 放浪者 carries a slightly negative connotation.
How do you pronounce it?
hōbō
Did you know?
- In Japan, the concept of 'wandering' is linked to the historical 行脚 ('angya'), where monks walked long distances for spiritual training. This creates a cultural distinction between the spiritual wanderer and the social vagrant.
- Japanese uses the word 浮浪者 ('furōsha') in legal and police contexts to describe vagrants. This word is significantly harsher and more stigmatized than the loanword ホーボー.
- Although ホーボー is a loanword from English, it is almost exclusively used in Japanese pop culture, such as video games or anime, rather than in everyday conversation.
Examples in context
- ホームレスの人は、支援が必要です。The homeless person needs support.
- 放浪者に対する社会的支援を向上させる必要があります。There is a need to improve social support for vagrants.
- 昔の映画にはホーボーが登場する。Mukashi no eiga ni wa hōbō ga tōjō suru.A hobo appears in old movies.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a vintage movie.
- 結衣 Yuiこの映画の主人公はホーボーですね。kono eiga no shujinkō wa hōbō desu ne.The main character of this movie is a hobo, isn't he?
- 健太 Kentaはい、自由な生活をしています。hai, jiyū na seikatsu o shite imasu.Yes, he lives a free life.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、生活は大変そうです。demo, seikatsu wa taihen sō desu.But his life looks difficult.
- 健太 Kentaそれがこの映画の魅力です。sore ga kono eiga no miryoku desu.That is the charm of this movie.
