It¡¯s a wonderful time of year for word nerds. Last week, the organizers of the annual ÐÂÕZ?Á÷ÐÐÕZ´óÙp (Shingo Ry¨±k¨­go Taish¨­, New Words and Buzzwords of the Year) unveiled 30 nominees for its 2026 edition. The top 10, along with the grand prize winner, will be announced Dec. 1.

But why should we leave it to the grown-ups to decide which words matter? Personally, I¡¯m much more interested in learning how ´³²¹±è²¹²Ô¡¯²õ Gen Z speaks, and, lucky for us, ¥®¥ã¥ë (gyaru, gal) has its own annual buzzword awards, one that¡¯s perhaps a bit closer to the internet¡¯s collective brain.

Founded in 1995, egg became one of ´³²¹±è²¹²Ô¡¯²õ best-known chroniclers of ¥®¥ã¥ë culture, documenting the fashion, makeup and attitudes of young women, particularly in Tokyo¡¯s Shibuya neighborhood. After suspending its print edition in 2014, the magazine returned online in 2018 and has found a new audience on . Its annual buzzword awards can give us a snapshot of the language ¥®¥ã¥ë are currently using, and this year¡¯s list, announced Nov. 1, includes everything from ¥®¥ã¥ë social dynamics to the perils of endless scrolling.