タイパ

• Reading: タイパ
• Romaji: taipa
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'time performance' → タイムパフォーマンス → abbreviated to タイパ
• Pronunciation: /ta.i.pa/

Meaning

Time performance — the efficiency or value gained relative to the time invested, used to evaluate whether something is worth your time.

タイパ is short for タイムパフォーマンス (time performance), modeled after コスパ (cost performance). It reflects the Gen Z value of optimizing time — watching videos at 2x speed, reading plot summaries instead of watching full shows, or choosing shorter content formats. 'タイパが良い/悪い' (good/bad time performance) evaluates whether the payoff justifies the time spent. The concept has been widely discussed in Japanese media as a defining characteristic of Gen Z, sometimes critically. It represents a cultural shift toward efficiency-first consumption.

Examples

1. この映画3時間もあるの？タイパ悪くない？ This movie is three hours long? Isn't that bad time efficiency?
2. 倍速視聴はタイパ重視の人には最適だよね。 Watching at double speed is perfect for people who value time efficiency.
3. タイパ考えたらまとめ動画で十分じゃない？ If you think about time efficiency, wouldn't a summary video be enough?

Usage Guide

Context: general conversation, social media, lifestyle discussions

Tone: evaluative, efficiency-minded

Do Say

• タイパ重視で倍速再生してる。 (I watch at 2x speed because I prioritize time efficiency.)
• タイパ的にこっちの方がいいかも。 (This might be better in terms of time efficiency.)

Don't Say

• 年配の方にタイパと言っても通じないことがある (Older generations may not know タイパ — explain the concept if needed)

Common Mistakes

• Using タイパ and コスパ interchangeably — タイパ is about time efficiency, コスパ is about cost efficiency
• Not knowing that タイパ is often used critically by older commentators to describe Gen Z's 'impatient' consumption habits

Origin & History

Short for タイムパフォーマンス (taimu pafōmansu, time performance), coined by analogy with コスパ (cost performance). Became a buzzword around 2022-2023 as media discussed Gen Z's time-efficiency-focused consumption habits. Won multiple buzzword awards in Japan.

Cultural Context

Era: 2022-2023 buzzword

Generation: Gen Z (but understood by all)

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across Japan. A defining concept of Gen Z consumer behavior in Japan, frequently discussed in media and marketing.