Translation and Meaning of: 女性 - jyosei

The Japanese word 女性[じょせい] is an essential term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "woman" or "female," but there are interesting nuances in its everyday and historical use. In this article, we will explore everything from the composition of the kanji to how this word is socially perceived in Japan, including practical memorization tips and usage examples.

Significado e Composição de 女性

The term 女性 is made up of two kanji: 女 (onna/woman) and 性 (sei/nature, sex). Together, they convey the idea of "feminine nature" or "female gender." Unlike 女 alone, which can be more informal, 女性 carries a more neutral and encompassing tone, often used in formal or descriptive contexts.

It is worth noting that 性 also appears in words like 男性 (dansei, "man") and 性別 (seibetsu, "gender"), which helps create mental associations for memorization. This structure makes the term easier for Japanese learners to grasp.

Everyday Uses and Cultural Contexts

In Japan, 女性 is widely used in situations that require formality, such as official documents, news, and discussions about gender. For example, phrases like "女性の権利" (women's rights) are common in social debates. In informal conversations, many people prefer to use 女の子 (onna no ko) for girls or 女の人 (onna no hito) for adult women.

Culturally, the word reflects the appreciation for precision in the Japanese language. Companies and institutions tend to prefer 女性 in public communications as it sounds more respectful. A curious example is its frequent use in notices such as "女性専用車両" (women-only cars), demonstrating its practical application in daily life.

Tips for Memorizing and Applying

An effective way to reinforce 女性 is to associate it with common compound words, such as 女性向け (aimed at a female audience) or 女性社員 (female employee). Another strategy is to observe its use in authentic materials, such as Japanese magazines or TV programs, where the term appears frequently.

To avoid confusion, remember that 女性 (josei) is not interchangeable with 女子 (joshi, "girl/young woman"), which has a younger connotation. This distinction is important in social or professional situations, where the choice of vocabulary can convey different levels of respect or formality.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 女子 (joshi) - Menina, garota
• 女の人 (onna no hito) - Woman (general)
• 女性の方 (josei no kata) - Woman (respectful form)
• 女性の方々 (josei no katagata) - Women
• 女性の人 (josei no hito) - Female person
• 女性の人々 (josei no hitobito) - Women

女性

Romaji: jyosei
Kana: じょせい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: woman

Meaning in English: woman

Definition: woman. woman.

Example Sentences - (女性) jyosei

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女のような強い女性に憧れています。

Watashi wa kanojo no you na tsuyoi josei ni akogarete imasu

I admire strong women like her.

I long for a strong woman like her.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "hers"
• ような (youna) - expression meaning "like" or "similar to"
• 強い (tsuyoi) - adjective meaning "strong"
• 女性 (josei) - noun meaning "woman"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "to"
• 憧れています (akogareteimasu) - verb meaning "to admire" or "to have admiration for", conjugated in the present tense and polite