百合
yuri[jɯ̟ɾʲi]
The Japanese term for the anime or manga genre 'yuri' is 百合.
The term is used as a slang term within subcultures to describe media focusing on romantic or emotional relationships between female characters.
Meaning: anime or manga genre (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 百合 is the Japanese word for the lily flower.
Which one should you use?
While 百合 is the common term for the genre, ＧＬ (pronounced jīeru) is a common alternative used to describe 'Girls' Love' content.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 百合 is categorized as slang. When referring to a person with the given name Yuri, you can use the formal honorific ユリさん or the informal and friendly ゆりちゃん.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yuri
Did you know?
- The kanji used for 百合 literally mean 'hundred' and 'combine', which describes how lily bulbs cluster together in the ground.
- In Japanese culture, the lily flower 百合 historically symbolized purity and dignity, which shaped the early aesthetic of the genre.
- The word 百合 is likely a nominalization of the classical verb 揺る (yuru), meaning 'to sway' or 'to wave'.
Examples in context
- 百合さんはとても親切です。Yuri is very kind.
- ゆりちゃんとは高校からの友達です。I've been friends with Yuri-chan since high school.
- 最近、百合漫画をよく読みます。Saikin, yuri manga o yoku yomimasu.Recently, I read yuri manga often.
- このアニメは百合がテーマです。Kono anime wa yuri ga tēma desu.This anime has a yuri theme.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their favorite genres.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太はどんなジャンルが好き？Yota wa donna janru ga suki?What genres do you like, Yota?
- 陽太 Yota僕はアクションが好きだけど、美咲は？Boku wa akushon ga suki dakedo, Misaki wa?I like action, but how about you, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki私は百合が一番好きだよ。Watashi wa yuri ga ichiban suki dayo.I like yuri the most.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんだ。いい作品を教えてよ。Sou nanda. Ii sakuhin o oshiete yo.I see. Tell me some good ones.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yuri” translations and entries 百合, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 百合, CC BY-SA 4.0.
