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Japanese word for fat
The word "fat" is used a lot in conversation in Japanese.
Although not so many Japanese people are fat, there are many ways to say fat in Japanese. Let's study them today.
How to say "fat" in Japanese
"Fat" is used in different ways depending on the context.
In medical terminology, it is "脂肪(しぼう) /shibou/".
However, when referring to a fat person, it changes. Below are some examples of fat when said to oneself and when said to others.
How to say "I'm fat" in Japanese
Japanese has both informal and polite ways of saying things, and there are several ways to say fat in both ways.
| Casual | Polite | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| (私は)太(ふと)ってる。 /(watashi wa) futotteru/ | (私は)太(ふと)って(い)ます。 /(watashi wa) futotte (i)masu/ | It is the most basic way to say it. You probably don't say this in very polite situations, but it can be said in a polite way. |
| (私は)(お)デブ。 /(watashi wa) debu/ | ー | When casual, the word "デブ /debu/" is often used. It is a little cuter than above "太ってる /futotteru/". Sometimes "お /o/" is added to "デブ /debu/" to make it slightly more polite. |
How to say "〇〇(someone) is fat" in Japanese
Please do not tell him this directly. This is just how it is said when you use it in conversation with someone on TV or as part of a conversation piece.
| Casual | Polite | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| (〇〇は)太(ふと)ってるね。 /(〇〇 wa) futotteru ne/ | (〇〇は)太(ふと)っていますね。 | This is the most commonly used. However, it is the most direct way to say it. When you want to say it more cutely, you can say it as follows. |
| (〇〇は(お)デブだね。 /(〇〇 wa) (o)debu da ne/ | ー | "Debu /debu/" is also often used. It is an easy word to use, and children often use it too. |
| (〇〇は)ぽっちゃりだね。 /(〇〇 wa) pocchari dane/ | ー | That's a very cute way. It sounds more like "chubby". This sounds like she is fashionable or has an attractive atmosphere even if she is fat. |
| (〇〇は)ふくよかだね。 /(〇〇 wa) fukuyoka dane/ | ー | This is a bit far-fetched. It has the nuance of being fat but still attractive. |
| (〇〇は)ふとっちょだね。 /(〇〇 wa) futoccho dane/ | ー | Cute way of putting it. Sometimes we use it for ourselves, but most of the time we use it for others. |
| (〇〇は)まるまるしてるね。 /(〇〇 wa) marumaru shiteru ne/ | ー | This is another cute way to say it. The "まる /maru/" in "まるまる /marumaru/" comes from the shape of a circle, which is easy to imagine. |
| (〇〇は)肉付(にくづ)きがいいね。 /(〇〇 wa) nikuzuki ga iine/ | ー | Young people don't use this often. It comes from the word "肉 /niku/, flesh" and "付く /tsuku/ to attach". |
| (〇〇は)小太(こぶと)りだね。 /(〇〇 wa) kobutori dane/ | ー | This is often not used for very fat people. The Kanji "小 /ko/" means "little", so this means a little fatter than normal. |