界隈(かいわい)

かいわい
noun
neighborhood; community; scene; fandom
1. neighborhood, vicinity, area
A geographical area or neighborhood, typically referring to the surroundings of a specific location.
駅(えき)界隈(かいわい)には飲食店(いんしょくてん)が多(おお)い。
There are many restaurants in the area around the station.
大学(だいがく)界隈(かいわい)は学生(がくせい)で賑(にぎ)わっている。
The area around the university is bustling with students.
銀座(ぎんざ)界隈(かいわい)を散歩(さんぽ)するのが好(す)きだ。
I like taking walks in the Ginza area.
2. community, scene, fandom
A group of people with shared interests, particularly used online to refer to fan communities or subcultures. Modern slang usage.
あの界隈(かいわい)では有名(ゆうめい)な人(ひと)だ。
They're famous in that community.
アニメ界隈(かいわい)で話題(わだい)になっている。
It's become a hot topic in the anime community.
推(お)し活(かつ)界隈(かいわい)の人(ひと)たちと繋(つな)がった。
I connected with people in the idol fan community.
推(お)し活(かつ) = supporting one's favorite idol

REGISTER: Neutral in sense 1; casual/slang in sense 2.

TRADITIONAL USAGE (sense 1):
The original meaning refers to a geographical area or neighborhood, as in 銀座(ぎんざ)界隈(かいわい) (the Ginza area).

MODERN SLANG (sense 2):

Since the 2010s, 界隈(かいわい) has become popular online to refer to communities based on shared interests:

  • ゲーム界隈(かいわい): gaming community
  • コスプレ界隈(かいわい): cosplay community
  • Vtuber界隈(かいわい): VTuber fandom

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

NOTE: In online contexts, 界隈(かいわい) can sometimes have slightly negative connotations, implying an insular or drama-prone community.

general
Added 2026.1.17 17:41 · Revised 2026.6.26 21:20
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