The Meaning of sekkusu [セックス] In Japanese

セックス
セックス
Romaji: sekkusu Not applicable

What does セックス mean?

Translation and Meaning

sex, sexual intercourse

Definition

セックス means sex, referring to sexual activity, especially sexual intercourse, in casual Japanese. It is a widely understood loanword used in everyday speech, media, dating contexts, and entertainment.

Type

Noun (名詞, loanword)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Sex as the act of sexual intercourse between partners
  • Sex as a topic in media, education, and casual conversation
  • In formal or clinical contexts, more precise Japanese terms are preferred

Etymology

loanword from sex, rendered as セックス in Japanese, with the sokuon ッ indicating the double consonant and final ス representing the /s/ sound.

Origin

Borrowed into Japanese during the modern era from English ‘sex’; first attested in postwar media and sex education materials, later common in everyday language.

Usage

Used in casual conversations, entertainment media, advertising, and dating contexts; the verb form セックスする is common for describing the act, while in formal writing prefer 性行為 or 性的活動.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: the word contains a double K; imagine two people meeting for a quick kiss, emphasized by the two Ks in the middle to recall the geminated consonant

Variations

  • 性交 (seikō) — clinical term, romaji seikō
  • 性的活動 (seiteki katsudō) — formal term, romaji seiteki katsudō
  • セックス (sekkusu) — common loanword in casual speech

Example Phrases

  • 彼女と セックス の 話題 も こころの 健康 に 影響する。
    kanojo to sekkusu no wadai mo kokoro no kenkō ni eikyō suru.
    Talking about sex with her can also affect mental health.
    Lista:
    • 彼女と (kanojo to) – with her
    • セックス (sekkusu) – sex
    • の (no) – of
    • 話題 (wadai) – topic
    • も (mo) – also
    • こころの (kokoro no) – mental
    • 健康 (kenkō) – health
    • に (ni) – to
    • 影響する (eikyō suru) – to influence
    The word 「セックス」 is a loanword noun meaning ‘sex’; the pattern 「X の話題」 means ‘the topic of X’, and 「も」 adds ‘also’ here.
セックス