肉食系(にくしょくけい)

にくしょくけい
noun
assertive type; go-getter; carnivore type (figurative)
informalpersonsociety
1. assertive type; go-getter; aggressive pursuer (especially in romance)
A person who is proactive and assertive, especially in romantic relationships — someone who actively pursues what they want. Coined as a metaphor from the image of a meat-eating predator. Originally used mainly for men but now applied to women as well. Popularized as slang in the late 2000s.
彼(かれ)は肉食系(にくしょくけい)だ。
He's the assertive type.
肉食系(にくしょくけい)女子(じょし)が増(ふ)えている。
There are more and more assertive women these days.
恋愛(れんあい)に関(かん)しては肉食系(にくしょくけい)で、自分(じぶん)から積極的(せっきょくてき)にアプローチするタイプだ。
When it comes to romance, I'm the assertive type — I actively approach people myself.

A figurative use of 肉食(にくしょく) (meat-eating, carnivorous) combined with 系(けい) (type, category). The metaphor compares assertive, proactive people to predatory carnivores who actively hunt their prey.

Common collocations

  • 肉食系(にくしょくけい)男子(だんし): assertive man (in dating)
  • 肉食系(にくしょくけい)女子(じょし): assertive woman (in dating)
  • 肉食系(にくしょくけい)キャラ: the go-getter character type

Cultural note

The term emerged in Japanese pop culture around 2006-2008 as part of a broader classification of personality types using animal diet metaphors. It contrasts with 草食系(そうしょくけい) (herbivore type) — a passive, unassertive person, especially in romance. The 草食系(そうしょくけい)/肉食系(にくしょくけい) dichotomy became a major cultural talking point in Japan, reflecting changing gender dynamics and dating behavior among young people.

Similar words

Related Words

Antonym: 草食系(そうしょくけい) (herbivore type)
Compare: 積極的(せっきょくてき) (proactive, assertive)
Compare: 肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ) (carnivore)
Related: 草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ) (herbivore)
general
Added 2026.4.18 23:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
24000/24331_nikushokukei