ミーム
Meaning: A meme — a viral joke format, image template, catchphrase, or concept that spreads and evolves across internet communities.
ミーム (from English 'meme') is used in Japanese to describe viral internet humor that follows recognizable formats or templates. While Japan has its own rich tradition of internet humor (2chのコピペ, ニコニコのネタ), the term ミーム specifically gained traction as Japanese users became more connected with global internet culture. Japanese ミーム often blend local references with international formats. The term is most commonly used by younger internet users familiar with platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit.
Examples
- このミーム海外でも流行ってるみたいだよ。 这个梗图好像在海外也很火。Parece que este meme también se ha hecho viral en el extranjero.이 밈 해외에서도 유행하고 있다더라.
- 新しいミームが出るたびについ保存しちゃう。 每次出新梗图都忍不住保存。Cada vez que sale un meme nuevo, no puedo evitar guardarlo.새로운 밈이 나올 때마다 자꾸 저장하게 된다.
- 元ネタ知らないミームの意味がわからなくて困る。 不知道原始出处的梗图，完全看不懂意思。Me cuesta entender los memes cuando no conozco el original de referencia.원래 출처를 모르는 밈은 의미를 모르겠어서 곤란해.
Pronunciation
/mī.mu/
Usage Guide
Context: social media, internet culture, casual conversation
Tone: playful, trendy
✓ Do Say
- このミーム面白いから保存した。 (This meme is funny so I saved it.)这个梗图太有意思了，保存了。（这个迷因好好笑，我存下来了。）このミーム面白いから保存した。 (Este meme es gracioso, lo he guardado.)이 밈 재미있어서 저장했어. (이 밈 웃겨서 저장했어.)
- 最近のミームついていけてる？ (Are you keeping up with recent memes?)最近的梗你都跟上了吗？（最近的迷因你还跟得上吗？）最近のミームついていけてる？ (¿Estás al día con los memes recientes?)요즘 밈 따라가고 있어? (최근 밈 흐름 따라가고 있어?)
✗ Don't Say
- 仕事のプレゼンにミームを入れる (Don't put memes in work presentations unless you're certain of the audience)在工作汇报PPT里放梗图（不要在工作演示中放梗图——除非你对你的受众足够了解）仕事のプレゼンにミームを入れる (No pongas memes en presentaciones de trabajo a menos que estés seguro del tipo de audiencia)업무 프레젠테이션에 밈을 넣기 (청중을 확신할 수 없다면 업무 발표에 밈을 넣지 말 것)
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing ミーム as English 'meem' — in Japanese, it is ミーム (mīmu) with elongated first syllable
- Not distinguishing between ミーム (meme format) and ネタ (joke/material) — ミーム implies a specific replicable format
Origin & History
From English 'meme,' originally coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976 for units of cultural transmission. The internet meaning was adopted into Japanese in the 2010s as global meme culture spread.
Cultural Context
Era: 2010s adoption from global internet culture
Generation: Gen Z and young Millennials
Social background: Internet-savvy users
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Japanese meme culture blends local traditions (2ch humor, ニコニコ動画) with global meme formats.
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