These words come up in Lesson 7: Asking to Take a Photo and in everyday fan conversation generally.
推し (oshi)
Meaning: One's favorite character or member — literally "the one I support/push."
Example: 推しは誰ですか？
Oshi wa dare desu ka?
"Who's your favorite (oshi)?"
Usage: Extremely common modern fan slang; can refer to an idol, character, or anyone you're a fan of.
沼 (numa)
Meaning: Literally "swamp" — being deeply obsessed with or hooked on a fandom.
Example: 沼にハマりました。
Numa ni hamarimashita.
"I fell into the fandom-obsession swamp."
Usage: Used jokingly to describe being "sucked in" to a hobby or fandom you can't get out of.
布教 (fukyō)
Meaning: Literally "missionary work" — recommending or spreading a fandom to others.
Example: 友達に布教したいです。
Tomodachi ni fukyō shitai desu.
"I want to get my friend into it."
Usage: A playful piece of fan slang borrowing a religious term — "spreading the gospel" of your favorite series.
尊い (tōtoi)
Meaning: Literally "precious/noble" — used to express something is so good or moving it's almost sacred.
Example: このシーンは尊いです。
Kono shīn wa tōtoi desu.
"This scene is precious — so good it hurts."
Usage: A fan-culture exclamation of deep appreciation, stronger than just "cute" or "good."
神 (kami)
Meaning: Literally "god" — used informally to mean "amazing/godlike."
Example: 神回でした。
Kami-kai deshita.
"That was a godlike (legendary) episode."
Usage: Attach to a noun for emphasis — 神絵 (kami-e, "amazing artwork"), 神回 (kami-kai, "legendary episode").
Quick Check
Q1. What does 推し (oshi) mean?
A. One's favorite character/idol/member — "the one you support."
Q2. If someone says 沼にハマった (numa ni hamatta), what do they mean?
A. They became deeply/obsessively into a fandom or hobby.
Q3. What does 布教する (fukyō suru) mean among fans?
A. To enthusiastically recommend or introduce a series or character to someone else.
Q4. When a fan says 尊い (tōtoi), what are they expressing?
A. Deep, almost reverent appreciation — "this is so good/precious."
Q5. What does 神回 (kami-kai) mean?
A. "A legendary/amazing episode," literally "god episode."