Learn Japanese Today

デブ

Reading: debu (usually written in katakana)

Definition: Fatty, or fat. Can be either a noun or a na- adjective. Rarely used in a positive context.

I have a special attachment to this word not only because derogatory colloquialisms are the best way to endear yourself to native speakers (sad, but true), but also because of a story my high school Japanese sensei told me.

My sensei was one of many young Japanese girls that came to America to teach Japanese and ended up marrying German newspaper reporters. Or maybe there weren’t that many. Anyways, the important part is that her husband and his family are hakujin (white people). And like any good hakujin family, her husband had a brother named Dave. Maybe you see where this is going already. Don’t spoil it.

It may surprise you to know that to the inexperienced Japanese ear, all the Vs in English turn into Bs, and just about every word ends in u. And that’s how my sensei that her brother-in-law was named “fatty” for years. Brings a tear to your eye that one does.

And this week, since I’m feeling extra generous, I’ll incorporate a bonus word. This one is a gitaigo, or onomatopoeia, and if there’s one thing you should know about Japanese people, it’s that they take their gitaigo seriously.

Anyways, ごろごろ is the sound a fat person makes when they roll down a hill. No joke. And it’s really not used for much else.

Here’s your practice sentence:

あのデブは階段で落ちて下までごろごろ転がった。ちょう面白かった。

ano debu wa kaidan de ochite shita made goro goro korogatta. chou omoshirokatta.

That fatty fell down on the stairs and rolled all the way to the bottom. It was hilarious.

Take care.

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