Japanese word

マニア

Pronunciation

Romajimania

Meaning

  • nounbuff

Example

姉は映画マニアです。ane wa ei ga ma ni a de su

My sister is a movie buff.

Illustration for マニア (buff)

More examples

この展示会は鉄道マニアを対象にしています。ko no ten ji kai wa tetsu dō ma ni a o tai shō ni shi te i ma su

This exhibition is aimed at railroad buffs.

Core concept

Refers to someone who pursues a particular interest with unusual intensity and knows its details well.

Common phrases

  • 映画マニアei ga ma ni a

    movie buff

  • 音楽マニアon gaku ma ni a

    music buff

  • 鉄道マニアtetsu dō ma ni a

    railroad buff

Similar words

愛好家aikōka: A person devoted to a particular subject or activity over a long period.
オタクotaku: A person who pursues a specialized interest with exceptional dedication and knowledge.
通tsū: A person recognized for deep knowledge of a specific field and its finer points.

Definition in Japanese

ある分野に熱中し、その分野について豊富な知識を持つ人。a ru bun ya ni net chū shi so no bun ya ni tsu i te hō fu na chi shiki o mo tsu hito

Word origin

マニア (mania) entered Japanese from English mania, ultimately derived from Greek mania, meaning "madness"; its Japanese meaning came to include a person devoted to a specialized interest.

Usage tips

  • The English word mania can suggest a temporary craze, but Japanese マニア (mania) often describes a person with lasting expertise and dedication in one area.

Related words

  • マニアックmaniakkuobsessivena-adjective

Word lists with this word