Japanese · Words You'll Hear But Must Never Say
まんこ
manko
MAHN-ko · /maŋko/
The c-word (anatomical)
nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended
Literally
"(vulgar term for female genitalia)"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
We're listing this so you understand it, not so you say it. This is about the most taboo word in spoken Japanese — bleeped on TV, and famously the reason an artist was prosecuted for obscenity over vagina-themed art. Unlike English "curses" that pepper casual speech, this one genuinely shocks in almost any setting. The male counterpart (chinko) is crude but far less taboo. Never deploy it.
Heard in the wild
放送では確実にピー音が入る言葉。
A word that will absolutely get bleeped on broadcast.
Where it lands
Nationwide; extreme taboo
Quick answers
- What does "まんこ" mean?
- In Japanese, "まんこ" means "The c-word (anatomical)". Literally it's "(vulgar term for female genitalia)". We're listing this so you understand it, not so you say it. This is about the most taboo word in spoken Japanese — bleeped on TV, and famously the reason an artist was prosecuted for obscenity over vagina-themed art. Unlike English "curses" that pepper casual speech, this one genuinely shocks in almost any setting. The male counterpart (chinko) is crude but far less taboo. Never deploy it.
- Is "まんこ" offensive?
- Yes — very. It rates 5/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Do not deploy). nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
- How do you pronounce "まんこ"?
- Say it "MAHN-ko" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: maŋko.
Related in Japanese
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