Translation and Meaning of: 彼女 - kanojyo

The Japanese word 彼女 (かのじょ) is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "she" or "girlfriend," depending on the context, and its use permeates from everyday conversations to cultural productions such as animes and dramas. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this word, as well as curiosities that help to understand its relevance in the Japanese language.

Understanding 彼女 goes beyond simple translation. Knowing when and how to use it can prevent misunderstandings, especially as it carries important cultural nuances. If you've ever wondered why the Japanese use this word in certain situations or how to memorize it effectively, keep reading to find out!

Meaning and usage of 彼女 (かのじょ)

彼女 is a versatile word that can mean both "she" and "girlfriend". Context is crucial to define which meaning is being used. In sentences like 彼女は学生です (Kanojo wa gakusei desu), the most common translation is "She is a student". On the other hand, in dialogues like 彼女がいますか？ (Kanojo ga imasu ka?), the meaning changes to "Do you have a girlfriend?".

This duality can confuse beginners, but with practice, it becomes easier to distinguish the uses. It is worth noting that when referring to "girlfriend," 彼女 is more informal and everyday, while terms like 恋人 (koibito) may sound more formal or poetic. The frequent use in anime and popular songs also reinforces its presence in the daily lives of Japanese people.

Origin and writing of 彼女

The composition of 彼女 is interesting for those studying kanji. The first character, 彼 (kare), means "he" or "that," while 女 (onna/jo) represents "woman." Together, they form the idea of "that woman," which evolved into the current meanings. This structure is common in Japanese, where combinations of kanji create words with specific nuances.

It is worth noting that 彼女 emerged as a modern adaptation to refer to women in the third person, something that old Japanese did not clearly have. Before the Meiji period, the language did not have a widely established feminine pronoun, and 彼女 was incorporated under Western influence, becoming standard over time.

Tips for memorizing and using 彼女 correctly

An effective way to memorize 彼女 is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, imagine a dialogue where someone asks about another person's girlfriend. Phrases like 彼女は優しいです (Kanojo wa yasashii desu – "She/my girlfriend is kind") help to internalize the double meaning in a natural way.

Another tip is to pay attention to the suffixes and particles that accompany the word. When 彼女 (kanojo) is followed by particles like は (wa) or が (ga), it usually indicates "she." In possessive constructions, such as 私の彼女 (watashi no kanojo), the meaning tends to be "my girlfriend." Watching authentic content, such as doramas, also exposes the learner to real uses of the expression.

Curiosities about 彼女 in Japanese culture.

"Kanojo" frequently appears in song lyrics and anime titles, reflecting its importance in the language. Popular songs, such as "Kanojo wa Kureeshon" (彼女はクレーショ), showcase how the word is artistically used. Furthermore, in romantic narratives, it often defines central relationships in the plot.

An important cultural aspect is that in Japan, asking 彼女はいますか？ (Kanojo wa imasu ka?) can be considered intrusive depending on the context. Japanese people tend to avoid very personal questions in casual conversations, so it's good to use this expression with caution, especially with recent acquaintances.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 彼女 (Kanojo) - She, girlfriend
• 女友 (Onna-yuu) - Female friend can refer to a girlfriend depending on the context.
• 恋人 (Koibito) - Lover, boyfriend/girlfriend
• 伴侶 (Hanryo) - Partner, spouse, emphasis on a more formal relationship
• 女性 (Josei) - Woman, more general term
• 女子 (Joshi) - Girl, young woman, can also be used in informal contexts or with children.
• 女子供 (Joshi-kodom) - Girl
• 彼女さん (Kanojo-san) - Respectful way to refer to a girlfriend or partner

彼女

Romaji: kanojyo
Kana: かのじょ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: she; girlfriend; darling

Meaning in English: she;girl friend;sweetheart

Definition: A person who has a close relationship with a woman, or with the woman.

Example Sentences - (彼女) kanojyo

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女を介抱した。

Watashi wa kanojo wo kaihō shita

I hugged her.

I took it to her.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 介抱した - verb meaning "to look after" or "to assist", conjugated in the past tense

私は彼女の手を掴んだ。

Watashi wa kanojo no te o tsukanda

I held her hand.

I grabbed her hand.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that the hand belongs to her
• 手 - noun that means "hand"
• を - object particle that indicates that the hand is the object of the action
• 掴んだ - verb that means "to grab" or "to hold" in the past

私は彼女に告白した。

Watashi wa kanojo ni kokuhaku shita

I confessed my feelings to her.

I confessed to her.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 - noun meaning "she"
• に - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "for her"
• 告白 - noun that means "confession"
• した - verb "suru" in the past tense, which means "did"

私は彼女の絵を写すことができます。

Watashi wa kanojo no e o utsusu koto ga dekimasu

I can copy her painting.

I can take her picture.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 絵 - noun meaning "image" or "painting"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 写す - verb meaning "to copy" or "to reproduce"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は彼女を待つ。

Watashi wa kanojo o matsu

I'm waiting for her.

I wait for her.

• 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は - it is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• を - it is a direct object particle that indicates that "she" is the direct object of the action "to wait"
• 待つ - means "wait" in Japanese

私は彼女を指しています。

Watashi wa kanojo o sashite imasu

I am pointing at her.

I point at her.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I".
• 彼女 - means "she" in Japanese.
• を - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "she".
• 指しています - it's a compound verb meaning "to point at", in this case "I am pointing at her."

私たちは彼女に愛を給うことができます。

Watashitachi wa kanojo ni ai o tamau koto ga dekimasu

We can give her love.

We can give her love.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 彼女に - "彼女のために"
• 愛を - "愛" em japonês
• 給う - "to give" in Japanese
• ことができます - "できます"