Meaning of 某 (bou) in Japanese and its Usage

Definition

某 (ぼう, bou) is a unique Japanese term that is used in writing to refer to a thing or person anonymously, sometimes in a sarcastic way. In old Japanese, 某 also reads (それがし, soregashi) and means “I/me”; this usage is seen in period dramas.

Usage

某 is usually put before a noun, like 某アニメ meaning “the/this/a certain anime”. Basically, it is used when people want to refer to someone or something anonymously, but sometimes it is quite obvious what/whom they are alluding to, in which case it can contain a sarcastic tone.

Examples

某国会議員 (こっかいぎいん) に我々 (われわれ) はインタビューをした。

We interviewed a certain Diet member.

渋谷（しぶや）にある某有名IT企業（きぎょう）で３年働（はたら）いた後（あと）、起業（きぎょう）した。

After I worked in the famous IT company in Shibuya for three years, I started my business.

某芸能人(げいのうじん)が不倫(ふりん)したニュースはもう聞(き)き飽(あ)きた。

I’m sick of hearing the news anymore that the celebrity had an affair.

Related Words

Synonym

誰かさん: literally “somebody-san”

とある “certain” (e.g. とあるレストラン: “a certain restaurant”); sounds more anonymous than 某 (to my ears).