ウォーリー
Wōrī
ウォーリー (Wōrī) is the Japanese name for the character Wally from the children's book series where readers search for him in crowded scenes.
The term refers specifically to the character from the famous search-and-find book series.
How do you pronounce it?
Wōrī
Did you know?
- Despite being a foreign character, ウォーリー is so ingrained in culture that search-and-find puzzles in Japan are generically referred to as ウォーリー系 (Wōrī-kei), meaning 'Wally-style'.
- While English speakers know him as 'Where's Wally?' or 'Where's Waldo?', the Japanese version keeps the British 'Wally' naming convention.
- Because ウォーリー is written in Katakana, the script for foreign loanwords, it is visually coded as an outsider. To a Japanese child, the name looks like a 'guest' from another country rather than a local character.
Examples in context
- ワリーさん、お元気ですか？How are you, Wally?
- ワリーちゃん、今日の昼ご飯は何がいい？Wally, what would you like for lunch today?
- ウォーリーはどこにいますか？Uorī wa doko ni imasu ka?Where is Wally?
- ウォーリーを見つけるのは難しいです。Uorī o mitsukeru no wa muzukashii desu.It is difficult to find Wally.
- この本にはウォーリーが隠れています。Kono hon ni wa Uorī ga kakurete imasu.Wally is hidden in this book.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a crowded picture book together.
- 陽葵 Himariねえ、ウォーリーを見つけた？Nē, Uorī o mitsuketa?Hey, did you find Wally?
- 健太 Kentaまだだよ。全然見えない。Mada da yo. Zenzen mienai.Not yet. I can't see him at all.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、あそこを見て！Kenta-kun, asoko o mite!Kenta, look over there!
- 健太 Kentaあ！本当だ、いた！A! Hontō da, ita!Ah! You're right, there he is!
