ワイフwaifu
Quick definition:Waifu is a fan term for a fictional female character that someone is especially fond of, often described half-jokingly as a favourite or imaginary wife.
Meaning
Waifu is a playful label that fans use for a favourite female character, usually from anime, manga or games. Calling a character a waifu is a way of saying she is the fan's favourite, in the way someone might say a singer is their number one. A male equivalent, husbando, is used for favourite male characters.
Most fans use the term as light-hearted humour, though some treat it more seriously. It appears in profile pictures, fan art and merchandise. Online communities hold waifu wars, friendly arguments or polls in which fans debate which character is the best, with much exaggeration and mock outrage. Such contests have no official winner and are meant as entertainment.
The word has its critics, as some people find the idea of treating fictional characters as spouses uncomfortable or silly, while others view it as harmless fun. Many fans use the term to mean favourite character, with no more meaning than that.
Origin:Waifu is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife, written in katakana. English-speaking fans began using it in online communities in the 2000s, and the exact scene or source that popularised it is debated. In Japan, fans use a different word, yome, meaning bride or wife, for a similar idea.
Example:On a message board, a fan posts a picture of a favourite character from a long-running series and calls her their waifu. Others reply with their own picks, and soon there is a lively, good-natured argument about whose choice is best. Often nobody changes their mind, and everybody enjoys the debate.
Did you know?Although the word sounds Japanese, it is used mainly in English-language fandom. In Japan the katakana word is just an informal way of saying a man's wife, so using it for a character means little to Japanese speakers.
