otaku

From Japanese オタク (otaku, “anime obsessive, geek”) originally used in reference to the 1982 Macross fandom, from the honorific form お宅 (otaku, you), from the honorific form 宅 (taku, “home”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əʊˈtɑːkuː/, [əʊ̯ˈtʰɑːkʰuː]
• (US) IPA^(key): /oʊˈtɑku/, [o̞ʊ̯ˈtʰɑkʰu]

• Audio (US)

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otaku (plural otakus or otaku)

1. (fandom slang) One with an obsessive interest in something, particularly (originally derogatory) obsessive Japanese fans of anime or manga.

• Though the word came to be used in Western countries primarily to denote people who have a strong or obsessive interest in anime and manga, in Japanese it is used more broadly to denote people who are obsessed and interested with or have a heavy interest in any specific topic, theme or hobby. Compared to the term's use in English, when used in Japanese, it more often has derogatory connotations, particularly in its unqualified use.

• geek, anorak (UK)

• weeb (non-Japanese people)

• otakuism
• otakukin

• fanboy, fangirl, geek
• mangaka
• weeaboo (derogatory)

• “An Introduction to the Otaku Movement” (academic paper in English).

First recorded in 1992: from Japanese オタク (otaku, “nerd, geek”), from お宅 (otaku, honorific for “you”), originally the honorific version of 宅 (taku, “home”).

• IPA^(key): /oˈta.ku/
• Rhymes: -aku
• Hyphenation: o‧tà‧ku

otaku m or f by sense (invariable)

1. (fandom slang) otaku (one with an obsessive interest in something such as anime or manga)

otaku

1. Rōmaji transcription of おたく
2. Rōmaji transcription of オタク

Unadapted borrowing from Japanese オタク (otaku, “nerd, geek”), from お宅 (otaku, honorific for “you”), originally the honorific version of 宅 (taku, “home”).

• Hyphenation: o‧ta‧ku

otaku m or f by sense (plural otakus)

1. (fandom slang) weeb (one with an interest in something such as anime or manga)

• Informally one can find a feminine otaka, but it is non-standard.

Borrowed from Japanese オタク (otaku, “nerd, geek”), from お宅 (otaku, honorific for “you”), originally the honorific version of 宅 (taku, “home”).

• IPA^(key): /oˈtaku/ [oˈt̪a.ku]
• Rhymes: -aku
• Syllabification: o‧ta‧ku

otaku m or f by sense (plural otakus)

1. (fandom slang) weeb (one with an interest in something such as anime or manga)