Meaning of “8888888”

This article was written over a year ago.

2021-07-17 · by Kei in Slang

“8888888” means applause, this is an internet slang.
It sounds like old just a bit, but many Japanese can understand this meaning if the Japanese is old internet user.

Pronunciation of 8 in Japanese is “Hachi” but sometimes we pronounce it “Pachi”.
And pronunciation of “8888888” is “Pachi Pachi Pachi Pachi Pachi Pachi Pachi”.

On the other hands, “Pachi pachi pachi pachi (パチパチパチパチ)” is an onomatopoeic word of applause.
Yes, same pronounciation with “8888888”. That’s why “8888888” means applause.
And you don’t have to care of the number of 8, maybe if it’s over 4 like “8888”, we don’t care how many 8 is there.
So “88888888888888” is OK.

I’m not sure, but maybe this slang “888888” is from “niconico douga(ニコニコ動画)” which was really popular video shareing service before youtube in Japan.
And some popular artist is from “niconico douga(ニコニコ動画)”, maybe someday I’ll explain about “niconico douga(ニコニコ動画)”, it is historically important in Japanese internet culture, in my opinion.

Example Conversation

[On the chat of the internet casual presentation.] A: 8888888
B: Thanks for listening!!
C: 888888888888

[After the presentation] D: What was the meaning of 88888?
A: It means applause, oh, you don’t know? Ah, yes, I got old… It was really popular slang.
D: I’ve seen it before, but I didn’t know the meaning!

>> ASK ME about Japanese something!


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