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Glite Dictionary
ianfu

ianfu

9.9
A woman forced to have sex with Japanese soldiers during World War II
  • noun
  • /ˈiːənˌfuː/
  • NSFW
translation icon : ianfu
  • The testimonies of former ianfu have been crucial in raising awareness about wartime atrocities.

Examples

  • A museum exhibit featured photos and personal belongings of women who were once ianfu.

  • Historians continue to debate the extent of the Japanese military's involvement with the ianfu system.

  • The term ianfu refers to women exploited during wartime.

  • Many ianfu suffered greatly during World War II.

  • The testimonies of former ianfu have been crucial in raising awareness about wartime atrocities.

  • A museum exhibit featured photos and personal belongings of women who were once ianfu.

  • Historians continue to debate the extent of the Japanese military's involvement with the ianfu system.

Synonyms

comfort woman
vsianfu
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A woman forced to have sex with Japanese soldiers during World War II

frames the same history as forced prostitution rather than as sexual slavery

Surface Forms

ianfu singular
ianfus plural

Etymology

Ianfu comes from Japanese parts ian meaning 'comfort' and fu meaning 'woman'. During World War II the Japanese military used this softer name for women they forced into prostitution, so today ianfu refers to those 'comfort women' and their suffering.