バリキャリ
Meaning: A career-driven woman who works intensely — combining バリバリ (vigorously) and キャリア (career).
バリキャリ describes a woman who is deeply committed to her career, works long hours, and prioritises professional success. The term can be admiring (praising her ambition and competence) or carry subtle social commentary about women who 'choose career over family' in Japan's still-traditional gender landscape. It is often contrasted with ゆるキャリ (yurukyari, a relaxed career woman who prioritises work-life balance).
Examples
- あの先輩バリキャリだから毎日終電で帰ってるよ。 那个前辈是事业型女强人,每天都坐末班车回家。Esa senpai es una auténtica バリキャリ, todos los días vuelve a casa en el último tren.저 선배 바리캬리라서 매일 막차 타고 퇴근해.
- バリキャリに憧れるけど体力的にきつそう。 虽然很憧憬事业型女强人,但体力上感觉吃不消。Admiro a las バリキャリ, pero parece agotador físicamente.바리캬리가 동경스럽지만 체력적으로 힘들어 보여.
- バリキャリの友達、30代で役員になったんだって。 我那个事业型的朋友,30多岁就当上高管了。Mi amiga バリキャリ llegó a directiva con treinta y tantos años.바리캬리인 친구가 30대에 임원이 됐대.
Pronunciation
/ba.ɾi.kja.ɾi/
Usage Guide
Context: casual conversation, workplace talk, social media, lifestyle discussions
Tone: admiring, sometimes loaded
✓ Do Say
- バリキャリの人ってかっこいいよね。 (Career women are so cool.)事业型女强人真的很帅啊。Las mujeres volcadas en su carrera son muy admirables, ¿verdad?바리캬리인 사람 멋있지 않아? (커리어 우먼은 정말 멋져.)
- 彼女バリキャリだから予定合わせるの大変。 (She's a career woman so it's hard to match schedules.)她是事业型女强人,约时间太难了。Ella es una バリキャリ, así que es difícil cuadrar agendas.그녀 바리캬리라서 스케줄 맞추기 힘들어. (그녀는 커리어 우먼이라 일정 맞추기가 어려워.)
✗ Don't Say
- 本人に直接「バリキャリですね」 (Calling someone バリキャリ directly can feel reductive — it labels them by career over personality)当面对别人说'你是バリキャリ呢'(直接用バリキャリ来称呼对方可能显得标签化——好像只看到了她的事业而忽略了她的个性)Llamar a alguien バリキャリ directamente puede resultar reduccionista — la etiqueta la define por su carrera en lugar de por su personalidad.본인에게 직접 '바리캬리시네요' (누군가를 직접 바리캬리라고 부르면 인격보다 직업으로만 규정하는 느낌을 줄 수 있다)
Common Mistakes
- Using バリキャリ for men — the term is specifically used for women; for men, バリバリ働く is used instead
- Not sensing the nuance — depending on tone, バリキャリ can be admiring or imply the person has sacrificed personal life
Origin & History
Compound abbreviation of バリバリ (baribari, 'vigorously/energetically') + キャリア (kyaria, 'career') → バリキャリ. Emerged in the 2000s-2010s as discussions about women in the workforce and work-life balance gained prominence.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s-2010s, tied to gender and workplace discussions
Generation: Millennials and older Gen Z
Social background: Urban professional women
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Reflects ongoing social discourse about women's roles in the Japanese workplace.
More From This Topic
More from Abbreviations & Contractions
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free