A Japanese word that is often used as a put-down in its original context, being roughly equivalent in meaning to "
shrimp," "runt," "squirt," "dwarf," "
midget," or "small-fry."
In
slang, however, it occasionally takes on aspects of cuteness, particularly when the individual in question is young, female, and already considered "cute" by the speaker. It can also be used as shorthand for a drawing style of Japanese origin more properly known as super deformed (
SD).
Its usage in English (or rather, Japanglish) ignores the word'
s derogatory context, and focuses on the "cute" meaning as it often appears in
anime and manga, and its exclusive usage in this context is a good sign that the speaker does not, in fact, know how to speak Japanese.
(Speaker A): "Why would TokyoPop go and
change the title of 'Karin' to 'Chibi
Vampire'? There's nothing 'chibi' about her."
(Speaker B): "It's marketing, man. All the fangirls
think 'chibi' is synonymous with 'cute'."