What it means
推し (oshi) is the person, character, group, or other subject you especially support and would recommend to others. It often means “my fave,” but suggests active enthusiasm and investment, not simply finding something likable.
How to use it
Use it as a noun: 私の推し (my fave), 推しがいる (I have a fave), or 推しを応援する (support my fave). It is common in fan and idol contexts and increasingly used for creators, athletes, fictional characters, and even non-human favorites. Keep it casual; it can sound overly intense in formal or unfamiliar company.
Examples in conversation
Where it comes from
推し comes from 推す, “to recommend” or “to back.” It is closely associated with 推しメン, a favored member of an idol group. Reference works document the fan meaning, but the precise first use and path into wider everyday speech are not settled, so specific origin dates should be treated cautiously.
Related slang
Further reading
We use references to check meaning and background. Examples on this page are original.