A Japanese word that is often used as a put-down in its original context, being roughly equivalent in meaning to "shrimp," "
runt," "squirt," "dwarf," "midget," or "small-fry."
In slang, however, it occasionally takes on aspects of cuteness, particularly when the individual in question is young, female, and already considered "cute" by the speaker. It can also be used as shorthand for a drawing style of Japanese origin more properly known as
super deformed (SD).
Its usage in English (or rather,
Japanglish) ignores the word's derogatory context, and focuses on the "cute" meaning as it often appears in anime and manga, and its exclusive usage in this context is a good sign that the speaker does not, in fact, know how to speak Japanese.
(
Speaker A): "Why would TokyoPop go and change the title of 'Karin' to 'Chibi Vampire'? There's nothing 'chibi' about her."
(Speaker B): "It's
marketing, man. All the
fangirls think 'chibi' is synonymous with 'cute'."