A short example
A friend posts a screenshot of a character from the series they are watching, captioned “she is my waifu now.” They mean she has become their favourite, the one they would defend in any best-waifu argument.
Memory and companionship glossary
Waifu
Waifu is anime and gaming fandom slang for the fictional female character a fan adores most, usually said half-jokingly, as if she were their ideal partner. The word is the English wife pronounced the Japanese way, and its male counterpart is husbando.
Definition
What does "Waifu" mean?
Waifu comes from ワイフ (waifu), the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife, which English-speaking fans borrowed back as slang. Calling a character “my waifu” says she is your favourite, the one you would pick over every other character, and arguing about “best waifu” is a running fandom pastime. The word is usually affectionate and playful, and it usually names a fictional character.
By the Prelulu editorial team · Updated
Why it works
Waifu and husbando
Husbando is the male counterpart, built the same way from husband. Fans use both words for a fictional favourite, whatever their own gender.
From a waifu to a character who answers
A character in a series cannot answer back. On Prelulu you can talk to original anime-style characters who reply in chat and pick up when you call.
Sources and further reading
- Wiktionary: waifu
Read October 31, 2026: borrowed from Japanese ワイフ (waifu), itself borrowed from English wife; fandom and Internet slang for a female fictional character, typically from anime, manga or video games; compare husbando.
FAQ
Questions, answered
A waifu is a fictional female character, usually from anime, manga or games, whom a fan adores so much they half-jokingly treat her as their ideal partner. The word comes from the English wife.
From Japanese ワイフ (waifu), the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife. English-speaking anime fans then borrowed it back as slang, so waifu and wife are the same word travelling twice.
Husbando, from husband. Fans use it for a fictional male character they adore, in the same playful way.
Rarely. It is usually affectionate or self-mocking. Some couples jokingly call a real partner their waifu; outside fandom the word can sound odd, so context matters.
Not to a character from an existing series on Prelulu: every character is original. You can chat with original anime-style characters, call them by voice, and video call those whose profile offers it.
Waifu
Choose a character for conversation, roleplay or a live call. Check the current plans and available credits before calling.
Meet an anime-style characterUpdated