1.
a woman picking up a man (for a date or hookup)
A slang term for the reversed version of ナンパ (nampa, a man striking up a pickup with a stranger) — specifically, when a woman approaches a man on the street or in a venue to start a romantic or sexual encounter. The term is often used with a sense of surprise or amusement, since men-initiating is more culturally expected.
逆ナンされた。
I got picked up by a woman.
最近、逆ナンする女性が増えているらしい。
I hear that the number of women who do reverse pickups is on the rise recently.
渋谷で逆ナンされて、連絡先を交換した。
I got picked up by a girl in Shibuya and we exchanged contact info.
友達と飲みに行った先で、隣の席の女性に逆ナンされてびっくりした。
When I went out drinking with a friend, I was surprised to be picked up by the woman at the table next to us.
Composed of 逆 (reverse) and the shortened ナン from ナンパ (pickup; hitting on someone). An example of a common pattern where 逆 is prefixed to a word to mean "done in the reverse direction from the usual."
USAGE:
A casual slang word, used mostly in conversation, social media, and entertainment-style media. The verb form is 逆ナンする (to do a reverse pickup) or the passive 逆ナンされる (to be picked up by a woman). Not appropriate in formal contexts. Carries a slightly playful or surprised tone because picking up a stranger is traditionally associated with men in Japan.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 逆ナンする: to do a reverse pickup (as a woman approaching a man)
- 逆ナンされる: to be picked up by a woman
- 逆ナン待ち: hanging around hoping to be picked up by a woman
- 逆ナンスポット: a spot known for women doing reverse pickups
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ナンパ: (male-initiated) pickup; hitting on someone on the street — the base word from which this is derived
- 声をかける: to call out to / speak to someone — a neutral phrase; context determines whether it is a pickup
- 口説く: to woo; to chat up — focuses on the persuasive talk to win someone over