Japanese language/Catalogs/Shingo

新語 (shingo, 'new word')
Recently-coined popular news words in Japanese are recognised in an annual competition in Japan; the top ten winners are unveiled each December. The words reflect a range of important political or economic issues as well as Japanese popular culture. The following lists includes some of the more notable winners:

2009

 * 粗食系男子 Soshokukei danshi: literally 'herbivorous man', referring to thrifty young men who are interested in fashion but less concerned with sex or making money.

2008

 * アラフォー Ara-foo: age and gender group comprising women 'around' the age of 40; wasei-eigo (和製英語, literally 'made-in-Japan English') from English 'around forty'.
 * グ～ Gu~: 'good!'; popular catchphrase of a Japanese celebrity, based on the English expression.