1.
photogenic quality; visual appeal; looking good on social media
The quality of looking attractive or eye-catching, especially in photos posted to social media. Derived from the verb 映える (to look attractive). Became widespread as a buzzword associated with Instagram culture.
Short for インスタ映え (looking good on Instagram), which was selected as one of Japan's buzzwords of the year in 2017. The standalone 映え has since become a general term for photogenic or visually appealing things, used beyond just Instagram.
Common collocations
- 映えスポット: a photogenic spot
- 映えする: to be photogenic; to look good (in photos)
- 映え写真: a photo that looks great (on social media)
- インスタ映え: Instagram-worthy
- 映えを狙う: to aim for a photogenic look
Similar words
- 映える: to look attractive; to stand out — the verb form; the standard dictionary reading is はえる
- フォトジェニック: photogenic — the English loanword, used more in formal or media contexts
Usage
The kanji 映え is a rendaku-influenced reading from 映える. While some people use it self-deprecatingly or sarcastically, it remains a standard part of modern casual Japanese, especially among younger speakers.