フラグ
ふらぐ
noun
flag; setup, foreshadowing
1.
flag (in computing or games)
A marker or trigger in a program or game that indicates a certain condition has been met.
フラグが立った。
A flag was triggered.
Used in both senses
このイベントのフラグを回収しないと先に進めない。
You can't progress unless you trigger this event flag.
ゲームの条件フラグをすべて満たした。
I met all the condition flags in the game.
2.
narrative setup, foreshadowing, death flag
In internet and otaku culture, an event or statement that foreshadows a particular outcome. Often used for cliché story developments, especially death scenes or romantic developments.
フラグが立った。
A flag was triggered.
Used in both senses
それ死亡フラグだよ。
That's a death flag.
「この戦いが終わったら結婚するんだ」は完全にフラグだ。
"When this battle is over, I'm going to get married" is a total death flag.
彼は自分でフラグを立てておいて、見事に回収した。
He set up the flag himself and then perfectly followed through on it.
USAGE:
Sense 2 is the more distinctively Japanese usage. フラグが立つ (a flag is raised) means a foreshadowing event has occurred. フラグを回収する (to collect a flag) means the foreshadowed event actually happens.
COMMON TYPES:
- 死亡フラグ: death flag — when a character says or does something that foreshadows their death
- 恋愛フラグ: romance flag — an event that foreshadows a romantic development
- 生存フラグ: survival flag — signs a character will survive
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- フラグが立つ: a flag is raised (foreshadowing occurs)
- フラグを回収する: to follow through on foreshadowing
- フラグを折る: to break a flag (avoid the foreshadowed outcome)
- フラグを立てる: to set up foreshadowing