If you have heard or seen the term “gyaru” used and you were thinking it sounded like a Japanese or Chinese word, you would be correct. Here you will find the meaning of this term, information about its origin, and some other meanings.
You will also be given some conversation examples to read through so you can see how the term is correctly used in context. Lastly, you will discover some synonymous words and phrases that you can use in place of this term that won’t change the original meaning.
Gyaru Meaning and Origin
- Gyaru is a Japanese fashion subculture characterized by bold, glamorous styles, including dyed hair, heavy makeup, and trendy clothing, emphasizing self-expression and individuality.
What Does “Gyaru” Mean?
This term is the Japanese word for the American slang term “gal” and refers to a style of fashion and Japanese subculture of people, typically females who dress and act differently than the standard Japanese norm. The culture adopts a more American way of life and style including being more free-spirited, partying a lot, short skirts, loose collars, lots of makeup, darker skin, and lighter hair. The subculture is mostly made up of females in their teens to early twenties.
Origin of “Gyaru”
This term originated in 1968 because of a Levi’s commercial that premiered with the tagline “Levi’s for gals.” The style of dress and subculture continued to be popular through the 90s due to other advertisements and American television shows like Baywatch which was aired in Japan and watched by young, high-class, Japanese females. The popularity of the term has since fizzled out in the 2000s due to magazines, government policies, American media, and people poking fun at the style of dress and subculture in general.
Related Terms to Gyaru
- Ganguro – A gyaru substyle featuring deep tans, bleached hair, and bright makeup.
- Kogal – A gyaru style inspired by school uniforms, often with shorter skirts, loose socks, and youthful accessories.
- Onee Gyaru – A mature version of gyaru fashion with a more refined and elegant style.
- Hime Gyaru – A princess-inspired gyaru style with frilly dresses, big hair, and a feminine, doll-like appearance.
- Yamanba/Manba – An extreme form of gyaru characterized by very dark tans, white makeup accents, and bright, colorful clothing.
- Dekame – A gyaru style focused on large, dramatic eye makeup to create a “big eye” effect.
- Agejo – A glamorous and sexy gyaru style often associated with hostesses, featuring tight dresses, high heels, and ornate hairstyles.
- Ora Ora Kei – A rebellious and edgy gyaru style with a tougher, biker-inspired look.
- B-Gyaru – A gyaru style influenced by hip-hop fashion and culture, featuring streetwear and urban-inspired looks.
- Shibuya-kei – A term sometimes used to describe the overall gyaru scene in the Shibuya district, where the style was popularized.
These terms reflect the diversity and evolving nature of the gyaru subculture, each highlighting a unique aspect of this fashion movement.
Synonyms for “Gyaru”
There are a few synonymous words or phrases that you could use in place of this term during a conversation. Some words or phrases you could replace it with include:
- gal
- young female
- adolescent Japanese subculture
Gyaru Examples
A conversation between two friends via text message.
- Friend 1: I think we should have a talk with Melody.
- Friend 2: About what?
- Friend 1: About the way she dresses. She looks like a total gyaru.
- Friend 2: Agreed. I am surprised her parents let her leave the house like she does sometimes. They are so traditional.
An online conversation between two forum users.
- User 1: I think the gyaru style of dress is perfectly acceptable.
- User 2: I believe it is totally acceptable also. I mean, I know it’s not traditional, but if it makes them happy and it isn’t hurting anyone then just let them be.