VTuber

English

Alternative forms

• Vtuber, vtuber

Etymology

From Japanese VTuber, from English virtual + YouTuber.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation)
  • (yod-coalescence) IPA^(key): /ˈviːˌtʃuː.bə/
  • (without the yod-coalescence) IPA^(key): /ˈviːˌtjuː.bə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈviˌtu.bəɹ/
• Rhymes: -uːbə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: V‧Tu‧ber

Noun

VTuber (plural VTubers)

1. Abbreviation of virtual YouTuber.
   • 2025 April 21, Ana Velans, “Why Is This ‘Gamer Supps’ VTuber Pushing the Great Replacement Theory?”, in VICE‎, archived from the original on 14 May 2025:

     It’s a rite of passage for a growing VTuber to gain a Gamer Supps partnership, let alone snag a merchandise run via the company’s Waifu Cups line. […] While some VTubers may wink or nod to conservative beliefs, Kirsche has never hidden her political leanings.

Japanese

Alternative spellings
Vtuber Vチューバー

Etymology

From the initial letter of English virtual and the final of English YouTuber.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [bɯ̟it͡ɕɨːba̠ː]

Noun

VTuber(ブイチューバー) • (bui-chūbā) 

1. short for バーチャルYouTuber (bācharu yūchūbā, “virtual YouTuber”)

   『VTuber(ブイチューバー)なんだが配(はい)信(しん)切(き)り忘(わす)れたら伝(でん)説(せつ)になってた』

   “Bui-chūbā nanda ga haishin kiriwasuretara densetsu ni natteta”

   VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral After Forgetting to Turn Off My Stream

Usage notes

• Sometimes preferred as an alternative term that avoids direct usage of the commercial name YouTube.

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• Vtuber

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English VTuber.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.beʁ/ [viˈtu.beh]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.beʁ/ [viˈtu.beh]
  • (São Paulo) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.beɾ/
  • (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.beʁ/ [viˈtu.beχ]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.beɻ/

 

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.bɛɾ/ [viˈtu.βɛɾ]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /viˈtu.bɛɾ/ [viˈtu.βɛɾ]
  • (Northern Portugal) IPA^(key): /biˈtu.bɛɾ/ [biˈtu.βɛɾ]

• Rhymes: -ubeʁ, -ubeɾ
• Hyphenation: V‧Tu‧ber

Noun

VTuber m or f by sense (plural VTubers)

1. virtual YouTuber

   Synonym: youtuber virtual