Cos'è una Waifu? Significato, Origine, Tipi e Quiz
Waifu (pronounced WAI foo) is anime slang for a fictional female character that a fan feels a strong romantic attachment to. The word comes from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife. Its male equivalent is husbando.
If you spend any time in anime communities, you will see it everywhere: "Rem is my waifu", "waifu tier list", "my waifu is better than yours". So what does waifu actually mean, where does the word come from, and which type of waifu is made for you? This guide covers everything, and ends with a quick quiz to find your perfect match.
What is a waifu, exactly?
A waifu is the fictional character you would marry if you could. She can come from an anime, a manga, a video game or a visual novel. Calling a character "my waifu" means she is your favorite above all others, the one you defend in debates and the one whose figures, posters or waifu body pillows end up in your room.
The term is mostly playful. Nobody thinks you are literally married to a drawing. It is fan language, the same way people say they have a celebrity crush. For some fans, though, the bond is genuinely emotional, and that is fine too.
Where does the word waifu come from?
The word has a surprisingly precise origin. Here is how a single line of dialogue became global internet slang.
In a scene of the anime Azumanga Daioh, the strange teacher Mr. Kimura proudly shows a photo of his wife and calls her "mai waifu", an English phrase spoken with a heavy Japanese accent.
Anime imageboards turn the clip into a meme. Fans start declaring their favorite characters as their "waifu", and heated waifu wars begin.
The male version husbando appears, and the term spreads to gaming, Reddit, Twitter and YouTube. Rankings and waifu tier lists become a genre of their own.
Akihiko Kondo holds a formal wedding ceremony with the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, making headlines worldwide.
Waifu is part of everyday internet culture, from gacha games to AI chat apps, and even has its own Wikipedia page.
Waifu slang you need to know
The waifu types (the "dere" system)
Fans sort waifus by personality using Japanese words ending in dere, from deredere, meaning lovestruck. Tap a type to see what it means and meet three iconic waifus who fit it perfectly.
Tsundere
Cold outside, soft inside
Tsun tsun (prickly) first, dere dere (lovestruck) later. She insults you, blushes, then saves you the last slice of cake. The most famous waifu type of all.
Other types you may hear about: kamidere (godlike and proud), himedere (wants to be treated like a princess), bakadere (adorably clumsy) and nyandere (cat like). Learn more on tsundere and yandere.
Quiz: which waifu type is your perfect match?
5 quick questions. Answer honestly and we will reveal your waifu type, plus three characters made for you.
How fans show love for their waifu
Having a waifu is not just a word, it is a whole lifestyle for many fans. The most popular ways to celebrate her:
- A dakimakura (body pillow): the iconic waifu item, printed on both sides. Start with our ultimate dakimakura guide.
- Figures and posters to build a small shrine on a shelf.
- Cosplay, becoming your waifu for a day at conventions.
- Birthday celebrations on her official birthday, with cake and fan art.
- Itasha cars, bags and accessories covered with her art.
Is it weird to have a waifu?
No. Loving a fictional character is as old as fiction itself. People have always fallen for heroes in novels, films and TV shows. A waifu is simply the anime version of that feeling, with a fun community around it. Psychologists describe these bonds as parasocial relationships, a normal part of being a fan.
Most fans treat their waifu as a hobby that brings comfort, creativity and friendships. Just like any passion, the only rule is to enjoy it in a way that makes your life better.
Keep exploring
Waifu FAQ
What does waifu mean?
Waifu is anime slang for a fictional female character that a fan feels a strong romantic attachment to. It comes from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife. The male version is husbando.
How do you pronounce waifu?
Waifu is pronounced WAI foo, rhyming with "wife" plus "oo". It mimics how the English word wife sounds when spoken with Japanese phonetics.
Where does the word waifu come from?
The term comes from a 2002 scene of the anime Azumanga Daioh, where the teacher Mr. Kimura shows a photo of his wife and calls her "mai waifu". Anime forums turned the line into a meme and the word spread across the internet.
What is the difference between a waifu and a husbando?
A waifu is a female fictional character a fan loves, a husbando is the male equivalent. Both words are used the same way across anime, manga and video game fandoms.
Can you have more than one waifu?
Officially the meme says "one waifu only" and fans love to debate it during waifu wars. In practice most fans have a main waifu and a few favorites, and nobody will stop you.
Is it weird to have a waifu?
Not at all. Having a waifu is a playful way to express how much you love a character, just like having a celebrity crush. Millions of fans collect figures, posters and body pillows of their favorite character.
What is a waifu pillow?
A waifu pillow is a dakimakura, a long Japanese body pillow printed with your favorite character on both sides. It is the most iconic way for fans to show love for their waifu.
- Waifu, Wikipedia
- Waifu, Know Your Meme
- Akihiko Kondo, Wikipedia
- Photos from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences, credited under each image. Character pillow photos: Anime Body Pillow.
@DAGREETPAPIRUS
Speedwagon is something else !!! We are reserving a special article about this beautiful Waifu ;)
were is speedwagon body pillow, also there should be a speedwagon type of waifu. IT IS THE GOD OF WAIFUS
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