セクシー

• Reading: セクシー
• Romaji: sekushii
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'sexy' — adopted as a loanword with slightly broader usage than the English original
• Pronunciation: /se.kɯ.ɕiː/

Meaning

Sexy or attractive — used to describe physical appeal, alluring performances, or stylish presentation.

Borrowed from English 'sexy,' セクシー in Japanese is used somewhat more broadly than its English source. While it can describe physical attractiveness, it also extends to fashion choices, dance performances, artistic expression, and even non-physical things that have a sleek, appealing quality. The word became a political meme in 2019 when a minister used it to describe climate policy.

Examples

1. あのダンス、セクシーすぎない？ Isn't that dance a little too sexy?
2. セクシーな雰囲気が出ててかっこいい。 They've got this sexy vibe going and it looks so cool.
3. 新曲のMVがセクシーで話題になってる。 The new song's music video is going viral for being so sexy.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, social media, entertainment, fashion

Tone: admiring, flirtatious, aesthetic

Do Say

• その衣装セクシーでいいね。 (That outfit looks sexy, nice.)
• セクシーな曲が似合うアイドルだよね。 (They're an idol who suits sexy songs.)

Don't Say

• 職場で同僚に「セクシーだね」はセクハラになる (Telling a colleague 'sekushii da ne' at work constitutes sexual harassment)

Common Mistakes

• Using セクシー too freely in professional contexts — like in English, it can be inappropriate depending on the situation
• Not understanding the 2019 Koizumi meme — Japanese people may use セクシー ironically to mock vague, substance-free statements

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'sexy.' Entered Japanese through Western media and fashion culture. The 2019 incident where Environment Minister Koizumi said climate action should be 'sexy' turned the word into a political meme.

Cultural Context

Era: Established loanword, meme status since 2019 Koizumi incident

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal casual

Regional notes: Used across Japan. After the 2019 Koizumi incident, セクシー gained an ironic secondary meaning of 'vague and substance-free' in political commentary.