You are gay in japanese

Home / gay topics / You are gay in japanese

Though seldomly noted aside from alluding nods in pre-modern texts, lesbian women definitely existed even if they didn’t get their own identity term until around the 1970s when the English loan word, rezubian, was popularized in the Japanese language.

Kitchenware + Japanese Words For LGBTQ

Have you ever heard of using Japanese kitchenware items in conjunction with Japanese words for LGBTQ?

It is also shortened to just パン (pan) like in English!

Asexual

Asexuality is a lack of sexual attraction. The concept of different sexual orientations is somewhat new in Japan. Japanese people tend to adhere to these ways of speaking, literally called women's language (女言葉) and men's language (男言葉).

3.

What Is An Okama?

Okama is Japanese slang for homosexual that literally means rice pot, attached with the honorific prefix of "O-." This Japanese term is used to refer to a gay man, especially one who dresses femininely or is a drag queen.

2. So without further ado, let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say “You are Gay” in Japanese:

In formal situations, it’s advisable to use polite language.

It can also be shortened to レズ (rezu).

Bisexual

The official term for bisexuality in Japanese is 両性愛 (りょうせいあい, ryousei ai). Here are a few options:

1. Like おかま, it is a derogatory term that has been reclaimed by some who want to use it to describe themselves.

おこげ

The last cooking term is not an LGBT word, per se.

In Japanese, the official term is 無性愛 (むせいあい, museiai), because 無 (む, mu) means no. Educating oneself about LGBTQ+ issues, supporting equal rights, and promoting inclusivity can make a substantial impact.

3. Regional Variations:

While the phrases mentioned above are applicable throughout Japan, please note that regional variations exist.

We’ll dive into different gender identity terms, and if you identify as part of the community, hopefully, you’ll be able to use these words in real life!

LGBTQ History In Pre-Modern Japan

Pansexuality is the easiest way to describe sexuality in this era of Japan. It is an umbrella term for anyone within the LGBT community, aka the sexual minority.

LGBTQI+ Vocabulary in Japanese

In this article, we're going to explore the LGBTQI+ vocabulary in Japanese, including the most common words and phrases used to refer to people who are homosexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and others.

This word comes from the English prefix “non” and the Japanese word 気 (き), which, in this instance, means “feeling.” The term originated in the LGBT community, so it is used mostly within the community, but is still common knowledge. This is because the concept is much newer in Japan and awareness is only just beginning.

The term closest to nonbinary or gender-queer in Japanese is X-ジェンダー (ekusu jenda) which can also be written as エクスジェンダー.

Reclaimed Terms

おかま

You may have heard of sexualities in Japanese being compared to cooking pots.

Remember to respect individuals’ preferences and consider the context in which you’re using these phrases.

2. 君はゲイだ (Kimi wa gei da)

Translation: “You are gay.”

Tips:

  • “Kimi” is an informal pronoun used among friends.
  • “Da” is a casual form of the copula “desu.”

2.

The pot became a euphemism for a person's–especially a male’s–backside.

you are gay in japanese

Happy language learning!

40 Japanese Words for Pride Month

Published June 6th, 2022

Pride month is here!

15+ Interesting Japanese Words For LGBTQ

As a Japanese learner, knowing Japanese words for LGBTQ people is crucial to being inclusive and respectful.