1.
self-deprecating joke; self-mocking humor; material making fun of oneself
A joke or humorous anecdote where the speaker makes fun of themselves, their own failures, appearance, or shortcomings. A common comedic technique in Japanese culture.
彼は自虐ネタが上手い。
He's good at self-deprecating humor.
自虐ネタで場の空気を和ませた。
I lightened the mood with a self-deprecating joke.
自虐ネタばかり言っていると、本当に自信がないように見えるから気をつけて。
If you keep making self-deprecating jokes, you'll actually look like you lack confidence, so be careful.
A modern colloquial term combining 自虐 (self-torture, self-deprecation) with ネタ (material, joke topic). Very common in casual conversation, comedy shows, and social media.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自虐ネタを言う: to tell a self-deprecating joke
- 自虐ネタで笑いを取る: to get laughs with self-deprecating humor
- 自虐ネタが多い: to make a lot of self-deprecating jokes
USAGE:
Self-deprecating humor is widely used in Japan as a social lubricant. It can make the speaker seem approachable and humble. However, overdoing it can have the opposite effect, making others uncomfortable or giving the impression of genuine low self-esteem.
RELATED TERMS:
- 自虐: self-deprecation, self-mockery
- 自虐的: self-deprecating (adjective)
- ネタ: material, joke topic, story material