フラグ
Meanings
1
Computing term for a binary indicator or status marker.
In this program, processing stops when an error flag is set.
2
foreshadowing; sign of things to come
Colloquial use, often in discussions of stories, games, or real-life situations, referring to an event or line that hints at a future development.
That line is a death flag, isn't it.
Him suddenly becoming kind might be a sign of something.
Usage patterns
- フラグを立てるto set a flag (e.g. in a program)
The program sets an error flag so that processing can branch later.
- フラグを回収するfor a piece of foreshadowing to pay off / come true
The protagonist who said “I’ll definitely make it back alive” ended up fulfilling that ominous line, just as expected.
- フラグを折るto subvert or avoid an expected foreshadowed outcome
He deliberately made a weak-sounding comment to try to break the ominous flag.
Expressions
- フラグが立つa flag is set; a condition is triggered