かまちょ
Meaning: Attention-seeking, wanting someone to pay attention to you — 'pay attention to me!'
Derived from 構ってちょうだい (kamatte chōdai, 'please give me attention/pay attention to me'). Describes either the state of wanting attention or a person who constantly seeks attention. Can be used self-deprecatingly ('I'm being かまちょ tonight') or to describe someone else's behavior. The term carries a cute, somewhat childish nuance.
Examples
- 今日かまちょだから誰か遊んで。 今天想被关注,谁来陪我玩。Hoy estoy en modo kamacho, que alguien quede conmigo.오늘 카마쵸니까 누군가 놀아줘.
- うちの猫まじでかまちょで仕事にならない。 我家猫真的太粘人了,没法工作。Mi gato es súper kamacho y no me deja trabajar.우리 집 고양이 완전 카마쵸라서 일이 안 돼.
- 彼氏がかまちょすぎてLINE止まらない。 男朋友太粘人了,LINE消息停不下来。Mi novio es tan kamacho que no paran los mensajes de LINE.남자친구가 카마쵸 심해서 라인이 안 멈춰.
Pronunciation
/ka.ma.tɕo/
Usage Guide
Context: texting, social media, friends
Tone: cute, needy, playful
✓ Do Say
- かまちょタイムだから連絡して (It's attention-seeking time, so text me)现在是求关注时间,快联系我(现在是求关注时间,给我发消息)かまちょタイムだから連絡して (Es la hora kamacho, así que escríbeme)카마쵸 타임이니까 연락해 (관심 갈구 모드니까 연락해)
- かまちょでごめん、暇すぎて (Sorry for being needy, I'm just so bored)不好意思太粘人了,实在太闲了(抱歉求关注,我太无聊了)かまちょでごめん、暇すぎて (Perdón por ser tan pesado, es que me aburro mucho)카마쵸해서 미안, 너무 심심해서 (관심 갈구해서 미안, 너무 심심해서 그래)
✗ Don't Say
- 同僚に「かまちょだね」は子どもっぽく聞こえる (Telling a colleague 'you're kamacho' sounds childish)对同事说'かまちょだね'(你好粘人啊)听起来很幼稚(对同事说'你好粘人啊'听起来很孩子气)同僚に「かまちょだね」は子どもっぽく聞こえる (Decirle a un compañero de trabajo 'eres kamacho' suena infantil)동료에게 '카마쵸네'라고 하면 어린아이 같이 들림 (동료에게 '카마쵸네'라고 하면 유치하게 들린다)
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a strong insult — it is usually playful and self-deprecating, not a harsh criticism
- Not knowing it comes from 構ってちょうだい — the abbreviation is not obvious
Origin & History
Abbreviated from 構ってちょうだい (kamatte chōdai, 'please give me attention'). Became popular among teens in the early 2010s, especially on social media and LINE messaging.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 2010s teen slang
Generation: Gen Z and young Millennials
Social background: Youth culture
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Common in texting and social media. Reflects the playful way Japanese youth frame emotional needs as cute rather than vulnerable.
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