草食系
そうしょくけい
noun
"herbivore" type; passive, gentle, unassertive type (especially regarding romantic relationships)
1.
"herbivore" type; passive, gentle, unassertive type (especially regarding romantic relationships)
A slang term originating in the late 2000s to describe people (especially men) who are not aggressive in pursuing romantic relationships.
彼は草食系だから自分からは誘わない。
He's the passive type, so he won't make the first move.
草食系男子が増えていると言われている。
It's said that passive-type men are increasing.
草食系と肉食系、あなたはどっち？
Are you the passive type or the aggressive type?
A cultural buzzword that became widely used around 2008–2009. Literally means "herbivore type," contrasting with 肉食系 ("carnivore type" — aggressive, assertive in romance). Originally described men who were gentle, non-aggressive, and uninterested in actively pursuing romantic relationships, but usage has broadened to describe passive personality types generally.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 草食系男子: herbivore-type man (passive man)
- 草食系女子: herbivore-type woman
- 草食系と肉食系: passive type vs. aggressive type
CONTRASTING WORDS:
- 肉食系: carnivore type — aggressive, assertive in romantic pursuit
- 絶食系: fasting type — even more disinterested in romance than herbivore type
CULTURAL NOTE:
The term sparked extensive media discussion about changing gender dynamics in Japanese society. While initially carrying a mildly negative nuance, many people now self-identify positively as 草食系.