Hypebeast
Meaning: Someone obsessed with buying and wearing trendy, brand-name fashion items purely for status.
A hypebeast follows every fashion trend and buys hyped-up designer or streetwear items mainly to show off rather than for genuine personal style. They're driven by brand names, limited releases, and whatever influencers are promoting. The term can be neutral (describing sneaker culture) or mildly negative (implying someone lacks originality).
Examples
- He's such a hypebeast — he waited in line for six hours just to get those limited-edition sneakers. 他完全是个潮牌狂人——为了那双限量版球鞋排了6个小时的队。Es un hypebeast total — esperó seis horas en la cola solo para conseguir esas zapatillas de edición limitada.あいつは完全にハイプビースト——限定スニーカーのために6時間も並んでた。그는 완전 하이프비스트야 — 한정판 스니커즈 사려고 6시간이나 줄 섰어.
- The hypebeast culture is wild. Kids are spending their whole paycheck on a single hoodie. 潮牌文化真疯狂。小年轻们把一整个月工资花在一件卫衣上。La cultura hypebeast es una locura. Los chavales se gastan toda la nómina en una sola sudadera.ハイプビースト文化ってすごいよね。若い子が給料全部パーカー1枚に使うんだから。하이프비스트 문화는 대단해. 젊은 애들이 월급 전부를 후디 한 벌에 쓰니까.
- Don't be a hypebeast — wear what you actually like, not just what's trending. 别当潮牌跟风狗——穿你真正喜欢的,别光追潮流。No seas un hypebeast — ponte lo que de verdad te guste, no solo lo que está de moda.ハイプビーストになるなよ——流行ってるものじゃなくて、本当に好きなものを着ろよ。하이프비스트 되지 마 — 유행하는 거 말고 진짜 좋아하는 거 입어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: fashion, streetwear, sneaker culture
Tone: teasing, sometimes critical
✓ Do Say
- He's a total hypebeast but his collection is impressive.他是个十足的潮牌狂人,但他的收藏确实厉害。Es un hypebeast total, pero su colección es impresionante.完全にハイプビーストだけど、コレクションはすごいよ。그는 완전 하이프비스트지만 컬렉션은 인상적이야.
- Hypebeast alert!潮牌狂人预警!¡Alerta hypebeast!ハイプビースト発見!하이프비스트 경보!
✗ Don't Say
- Calling someone a hypebeast to their face can sound insulting — it implies no originality当面叫别人hypebeast可能听起来像侮辱——暗示对方没有原创性Llamar a alguien hypebeast a la cara puede sonar insultante — implica que no tiene originalidad面と向かってハイプビーストと呼ぶのは侮辱に聞こえることがある——オリジナリティがないという意味合いがあるため하이프비스트라고 면전에서 부르면 모욕적으로 들릴 수 있음 — 독창성이 없다는 뜻을 내포
Origin & History
Named after the Hypebeast website (founded 2005) that covers streetwear and sneaker culture. The term evolved to describe consumers who obsessively chase hyped fashion items, especially in sneaker and streetwear communities.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s–2010s
Generation: Millennials and Gen Z
Social background: Middle to upper class
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