Pronunciation

Definition

The Japanese word 変態 (hentai) basically indicates people who have abnormal sexual interest, or who are always preoccupied with sexual thoughts. It also serves as a na-adjective and describes something sexual and abnormal, as in “変態な 趣味 しゅみ ” meaning “hentai (abnormal) hobby” and “変態なフェチ” meaning “hentai (abnormal) fetish”. If you want to emphasize, you can say “ド変態 (dohentai)”, as in “ 彼 かれ はド変態だ” meaning “He is a dohentai (f*cking pervert)”.

Another Definition (Casual Usage)

Interestingly enough, hentai can also describe something unbelievable and exceptional. In particular, it is often used to indicate miraculous plays in games or sports that wouldn’t be done by ordinary people, as in ‘変態ゴール’ meaning ‘unbelievable goal’ and ‘変態バッティング’ meaning ‘extraordinary batting’. — if you look up these keywords on YouTube, it will show videos of unbelievable batting/goals. And lastly, ‘hentai’ could also be used to describe extraordinary people as shown in Ex4 below. However, this usage is very casual and some people may not understand it.

Definition in Oxford Dictionary

Hentai is so famous a Japanese word that Oxford Dictionary defines it as a sub-genre of the Japanese genres of manga and anime, characterized by overtly sexualized characters and sexually explicit images and plots.

In fact, however, this definition is not acknowledged by Japanese people except for those who fancy dodgy English websites. Clearly, this definition must’ve derived from the combination of the original definition “pervert” and Japan’s idiosyncratic cultures “manga” and “anime”.

Definition of “H” in Japanese

In Japanese, エッチ (“ecchi”, a Japanese pronunciation of “H”) indicates something/someone sexual or erotic in a playful way. In fact, this definition of “H” is said to come from the initial letter of “hentai”.

For instance, “エッチな 本 ほん ” means “porn book” and ”エッチな 人 ひと ” means “erotic person”. If you have seen one of the most famous Japanese anime “ドラえもん (Doraemon)”, you may have heard Shizuka-chan shouting “のび 太 た さんのエッチ！” meaning “You such a hentai, Nobita-san!” when Nobita “accidentally” enters her shower room using “Anywhere Door” and sees her bathing.

Word Structure

変態 consists of the two kanji characters “ 変 へん ” and “ 態 たい “. The former means “strange” and the latter kanji describes how something/someone is, as in “ 態度 たいど ” meaning “attitude” and “ 状態 じょうたい ” meaning “state” or “condition”. Therefore, 変態 indicates a strange, perverted being.

Example Sentences

Ex1

この 辺 へん で 自分 じぶん のモノを 見 み せつけてくる変態がたまに出るらしいから 気 き を 付 つ けろ

I’ve heard that a hentai (pervert) who shows off his thing sometimes appears around here, so be careful.

Ex２

俺 おれ の変態プレイが 原因 げんいん で 彼女 かのじょ にふられた

I’ve got dumped by my gf because of my hentai (abnormal sexual) play.

Ex3

メッシの変態 股 また 抜 ぬ きが多くのサッカーファンを 魅 み 了 りょう した

Messi’s hentai (dope) nutmeg fascinated loads of football fans.

Ex4

A: 田中 たなか がケンブリッジ 大学 だいがく に 合格 ごうかく したらしい

B: まじかよ、あいつ変態だな

A： I have heard Tanaka has got accepted by Cambridge University

B： Sh*t, he is hentai (f*cking genius)

Synonyms and Related Expressions

Synonyms: ヤバい

Synonyms in English: pervert, perverted, abnormal, extraordinary, dope

Related words and phrases: 変 へん (strange), 態度 たいど (attitude), 状態 じょうたい (state, condition)

See also