ネタバレ
netabare
In Japanese, the word for "spoiler" is ネタバレ (netabare).
ネタバレ is the most commonly used word among Japanese speakers to refer to a document, review or comment that discloses plot details. You can use it as a noun or, by adding the verb する, as the verb ネタバレする to mean "to spoil the plot".
Meaning: document, review or comment that discloses (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of neta (material or subject matter) and bare (to be exposed or revealed).
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun into a verb meaning "to spoil the plot", add the verb する to the end to form ネタバレする. To create a warning for "spoiler alert", you can add the word 注意 (caution/warning) to the end to form ネタバレ注意 or use the format 注意：ネタバレ.
How do you pronounce it?
netabare
Did you know?
- While ネタバレ is common, the word ネタ is also used to describe the toppings on sushi, showing how one word serves both the 'material' of a story and the 'material' of a meal.
- The word ネタ in ネタバレ is originally professional slang from the world of rakugo storytelling and journalism, referring to the 'raw material' of a joke or story.
- While English uses 'spoiler' to imply something is ruined, the Japanese term focuses entirely on the act of the information being 'revealed' or 'exposed'.
Examples in context
- ネタバレ見ちゃったよ。I accidentally saw the spoiler.This sentence is useful for expressing that you accidentally saw the ネタバレ.Tatoeba #10990187 by small_snow, translation #13677499 by terrywallwork
- 最後のシーンを ネタバレ しないで！Don't spoil the ending scene!
- ネタバレ注意のコメントがあります。Netabare chuui no komento ga arimasu.There is a comment with a spoiler warning.
- この映画のネタバレを知りたくありません。Kono eiga no netabare o shiritaku arimasen.I don't want to know any spoilers for this movie.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new movie at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himariその映画、面白かった？Sono eiga, omoshirokatta?Was that movie interesting?
- 大翔 Hirotoすごく良かったよ！でも、ネタバレはしないね。Sugoku yokatta yo! Demo, netabare wa shinai ne.It was great! But I won't give any spoilers.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、助かる！Arigatou, tasukaru!Thanks, I appreciate it!
- 大翔 Hiroto週末に、ぜひ見てみて。Shuumatsu ni, zehi mite mite.You should definitely watch it this weekend.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ネタバレ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
