oshiri

Oshiri is a Japanese noun that refers to the buttocks or the rear end. It is written in kana as おしり and can also be written with the kanji 尻, where the same reading shiri denotes the anatomical buttocks. The form with the prefix o- (おしり, oshiri) is a softer, more child-friendly or affectionate version of the word, commonly used in everyday conversation, parenting, education, and media aimed at young audiences.

In everyday and informal speech, oshiri is the standard term for a person’s buttocks. In more formal or clinical contexts, the anatomical term shiri (尻) may be used without the honorific prefix, or the medical term denbu (臀部) may appear. Oshiri is widely taught and encountered in children’s books, songs, and family conversations, often reflecting a light, non-technical tone.

Culturally, the word appears in Japanese popular culture as a lighthearted, approachable reference to the body. A notable example is the children’s book and media property Oshiri Tantei, known in English as Butt Detective, which uses the term in a playful way to appeal to young readers. In translation, oshiri is commonly rendered as “buttocks,” “butt,” or “bottom,” depending on context and formality.

Overall, oshiri represents the casual, everyday term for the buttocks in Japanese, contrasted with more technical or formal alternatives used in medical or scholarly settings.