Together, 御宅族 (yùzháizú) is a transliteration of a Japanese cultural concept. It literally means the “honorable home-dwelling tribe,” a fitting description for a subculture of passionate hobbyists who form a community around their shared, often indoor, interests.
The term 御宅族 is a direct import from Japan, and its significance in China is tied to the massive influx of Japanese pop culture (especially anime and manga) since the 1990s. For a generation of Chinese youth growing up with the internet, this provided a new form of entertainment and identity outside of traditional structures. A good Western comparison is the evolution of the term “geek”. Initially, “geek” and “nerd” were derogatory labels for socially awkward individuals with obsessive, non-mainstream interests. However, as “geek culture”—like video games, sci-fi movies, and comic books—became a dominant cultural and economic force, the label was reclaimed and is now often worn as a badge of honor signifying expertise and passion. Similarly, 御宅族 in China is on a journey from a purely negative stereotype (lazy, unsociable, unable to function in the “real world”) to a more complex identity. However, it still carries a stronger connotation of being a “shut-in” than the modern Western “geek.” This is partly because traditional Chinese values often emphasize the importance of social networks (关系, guānxi), face-to-face interaction, and a practical career path. The 御宅族 lifestyle can be seen by older generations as a rejection of these crucial social norms, leading to worries about their children's future.
The full term 御宅族 is slightly formal and often seen in writing or media discussions about the subculture. In everyday conversation, the shortened forms are far more common.