フラグ

ふらぐ
noun
flag; setup, foreshadowing
informalspokeninternet
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(た)った。
A flag was triggered.
Used in both senses
このイベントのフラグを回収(かいしゅう)しないと先(さき)に進(すす)めない。
You can't progress unless you trigger this event flag.
ゲームの条件(じょうけん)フラグをすべて満(み)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(た)った。
A flag was triggered.
Used in both senses
それ死亡(しぼう)フラグだよ。
That's a death flag.
「この戦(たたか)いが終(お)わったら結婚(けっこん)するんだ」は完全(かんぜん)にフラグだ。
"When this battle is over, I'm going to get married" is a total death flag.
彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)でフラグを立(た)てておいて、見事(みごと)に回収(かいしゅう)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(た)つ (a flag is raised) means a foreshadowing event has occurred. フラグを回収(かいしゅう)する (to collect a flag) means the foreshadowed event actually happens.

Types

  • 死亡(しぼう)フラグ: death flag — when a character says or does something that foreshadows their death
  • 恋愛(れんあい)フラグ: romance flag — an event that foreshadows a romantic development
  • 生存(せいぞん)フラグ: survival flag — signs a character will survive

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.14 14:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11000/11149_furagu