Translation guide
The English word 'fetishism' has two main uses: a psychological/sexual meaning and a broader anthropological/religious meaning. This guide focuses on the sexual sense, which is the most common for learners, and briefly covers the academic sense.
To express that someone has a sexual fixation on a specific object, body part, or situation.
The direct loanword from English, widely understood in psychological and casual contexts. Often shortened to フェチ in casual speech.
To express a strong, non-sexual fascination or obsession with something, similar to English 'I have a thing for...'.
In casual Japanese, フェチ is often used hyperbolically for any strong liking, not necessarily sexual. Context makes it clear.
The English word 'fetishism' also refers to the worship of objects believed to have magical powers. In Japanese, this is 物神崇拝 (ぶっしんすうはい) or 呪物崇拝 (じゅぶつすうはい). Using these for sexual fetishism would be a serious mistake.
フェチ is very versatile. You can say 「○○フェチ」 to mean 'I have a thing for ○○'. It's often used in self-introductions or light conversation. Be aware that in some contexts it can still carry a sexual nuance, so use with caution in formal settings.
彼は足にフェティシズムを持っている。
He has a foot fetish.
Casual abbreviation of フェティシズム. Very common in everyday conversation and online. Can be used as a noun or suffix.
俺、メガネフェチなんだよね。
I have a thing for glasses, you know.
あの人は制服フェチらしい。
Apparently that person has a uniform fetish.
Clinical/formal term for paraphilia or sexual perversion. Used in medical or legal contexts. Can sound judgmental if used casually.
フェティシズムは性的倒錯の一種とされることがある。
Fetishism is sometimes considered a type of paraphilia.
Literally 'object worship'. This is the anthropological/religious sense of fetishism, not the sexual one. Avoid using this for sexual fetishism.
Do not use this for sexual fetishism; it refers to religious or magical beliefs about objects.
この部族には物神崇拝の習慣がある。
This tribe has a custom of fetish worship.
I'm not just a fan of ramen; I'm a ramen fetishist.