アイドル
aidoru[a̠ido̞ɾɯ̟]
The English word "idol" can be translated into Japanese as アイドル (aidoru). Wiktionary also lists 偶像 (gūzō).
Meaning: cultural icon, especially popular person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| アイドル | aidoru | [a̠ido̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 偶像 | gūzō | [ɡɯ̟ːzo̞ː] (narrow) |
In modern Japanese, the katakana term アイドル is used almost exclusively to refer to pop stars and entertainers. Fans of these entertainers often use the informal term おしめん to refer to a particular member who is their favorite or "number one".
Which one should you use?
アイドル refers to a pop culture icon, whereas 偶像 refers to a religious idol or a physical statue or image used for worship.
How do you pronounce it?
aidoru
Did you know?
- The modern use of アイドル to describe pop stars was popularized by the 1964 Japanese release of the French film 'Cherchez l'idole'.
- Japanese culture has a specific concept of 'graduation' 卒業 for an アイドル, which is the formal process of leaving a group to pursue a solo career.
- Some アイドル groups have strict 'no dating' clauses in their contracts to maintain the fantasy of being available to their fans.
Examples in context
- また新しいアイドルが出てきた。Another new idol is on the horizon.This sentence is useful for mentioning the emergence of a new アイドル.Tatoeba #11044546 by bunbuku, translation #12026666 by Winter
- 新しいアイドルかと思ったら、ヘアスタイル変えただけだった。I thought that it might have been a new idol, but it was just a new hairstyle.This sentence illustrates a mistaken assumption about a new アイドル based on a hairstyle change.Tatoeba #11013847 by small_snow, translation #11404699 by tsp_2
- アイドルグループのうち1人は加工の感覚絶対ぶっ壊れてるよね。There's always somebody in an idol group that uses too many filters in their selfies.This sentence shows how people discuss members within an アイドル group.Tatoeba #9507104 by Sim5634, translation #9524720 by DJ_Saidez
- 彼女はアイドル歌手としてデビューしました。She debuted as a pop idol singer.
- そのアイドルは多くの人々を魅了しています。That idol captivates many people.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a popular music group.
- 美咲 Misaki健太はどのアイドルが好き？Kenta wa dono aidoru ga suki?Which idol do you like, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta僕は最近、男性アイドルにハマってるよ。Boku wa saikin, dansei aidoru ni hamatteru yo.I've been into male idols lately.
- 美咲 Misaki意外！誰が一番おすすめ？Igai! Dare ga ichiban osusume?That's surprising! Who do you recommend most?
- 健太 Kenta今度、おすすめのアイドルを教えるね。Kondo, osusume no aidoru o oshieru ne.I'll tell you about my favorite idols next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idol” translations and entries アイドル, 偶像, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries アイドル, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
