デブ

• 読み: デブ
• ローマ字: debu
• 漢字の分解: Etymology uncertain. Written in katakana. Possibly onomatopoeic or from English 'double'
• 発音: /de.bɯ/

意味

Fat, overweight — a blunt and rude insult about someone's body size.

デブ is a crude, direct term for someone who is overweight. While it's considered rude when directed at others, many Japanese people use it in self-deprecating humour (自分のことデブって言う). The word exists in a culture where being thin is strongly valued and body-shaming, while criticised, remains common. The boundary between light self-deprecation and harmful insult depends heavily on context and who is speaking.

例文

1. 最近デブになったから、ダイエットしないと。
2. デブって言わないで、ぽっちゃりって言って。
3. 自分のことデブって言うのは自虐ネタとして成立するけど、人に言うのはアウト。

使い方ガイド

場面: friends, self-deprecation

トーン: crude, direct

正しい言い方

• 自分でデブって言うのはいいけど、人には言わないで。 (It's fine to call yourself fat, but don't say it to others.)
• デブ活して3キロ太った。 (I went on a food binge and gained 3 kilos.)

避ける言い方

• 人の体型について「デブ」と言うのはボディシェイミング (Calling someone デブ about their body is body shaming)

よくある間違い

• Not knowing the softer alternative ぽっちゃり (chubby/plump) which is more polite and even complimentary
• Using デブ with someone you don't know well — even as a joke it can be very hurtful

起源と歴史

Etymology uncertain — possibly onomatopoeic or from English 'double.' The word has been in common use since the early 20th century as a crude term for being overweight.

文化的背景

時代: Early 20th century onward

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal (negative)

地域メモ: Used nationwide. Japan has strong cultural pressure toward thinness, making this word particularly stinging.