Translation and Meaning of: 女 - onna

The Japanese word 女[おんな] is a fundamental term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its direct meaning is "woman," but there are interesting nuances in its usage, writing, and origin that are worth exploring. In this article, we will unravel everything from the composition of the kanji to how this word is used in everyday Japanese, including tips for memorization and curiosities based on reliable sources.

If you have already used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know that understanding a word goes beyond the literal translation. With 女[おんな], it's no different. Here, we will dive into the details that make this term so relevant, from its etymology to practical examples that help solidify the vocabulary. Get ready to discover why this word is so prevalent in Japanese and how to use it correctly.

Meaning and writing of 女[おんな]

The kanji 女 represents the idea of "woman" or "female" and is one of the oldest characters in the Japanese language. Its most common reading is おんな (onna), but it can also be read as じょ (jo) or にょ (nyo) in compounds, such as in 女子[じょし] (girl) or 女性[じょせい] (woman, in the sense of gender). The isolated form 女[おんな] is primarily used to refer to an adult woman, often with a colloquial or even informal tone.

Interestingly, the kanji 女 has a pictographic origin that dates back to ancient China. It derives from a stylized drawing of a kneeling woman, a common representation in ancient writing. This visual connection can aid in memorization, especially for those who are starting to study kanji. In modern Japan, this character appears in various everyday words, ranging from formal documents to song lyrics and dialogues in animes.

Everyday use and cultural nuances

Although 女[おんな] simply means "woman," its use carries nuances depending on the context. In informal situations, it can be used alone, as in "あの女[おんな]は誰？" (Who is that woman?). However, in more polite or formal contexts, the Japanese generally prefer terms like 女性[じょせい] or 婦人[ふじん], which sound more respectful. This difference is crucial to avoid misunderstandings in real conversations.

In pop culture, 女[おんな] frequently appears in song titles, dramas, and even character names. A famous example is the song "女[おんな]の子は誰でも" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, which plays with the idea of femininity. It is worth noting that, although the term is not offensive in itself, the tone and intonation can completely change its perception — something that can only be learned through exposure to the language in daily life.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

One of the best ways to memorize 女[おんな] is to associate it with compound words you already know. For example, 女の子[おんなのこ] (girl) or 女優[じょゆう] (actress). Creating flashcards with these combinations helps expand vocabulary while reinforcing the main kanji. Another strategy is to pay attention to radicals — 女 is one of the most recognizable and appears in other kanjis such as 姉[あね] (older sister) and 妹[いもうと] (younger sister).

To practice, try to identify 女 in signs, packaging, or even in scenes from doramas. In Japan, this kanji can be found in women's restrooms, clothing stores, and even on menus (such as in 女将[おかみ], restaurant owner). The more you encounter it in the real world — or in authentic content — the more natural your recognition and use will become. And when in doubt, the Suki Nihongo dictionary can be a helpful ally to check example sentences and pronunciations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

女性 (Josei) - Woman (general)
女子 (Joshi) - Girl / Young girl (usually young or a teenager)
婦女 (Fujo) - Woman (more formal or archaic usage)
女性人口 (Josei jinkou) - Female population
女の人 (Onna no hito) - Female person
女の子 (Onna no ko) - Girl (child)
女子供 (Woshikodo) - Girl
女性の方 (Josei no kata) - Woman (more respectful)
女性の方々 (Josei no katagata) - Women
女性たち (Josei-tachi) - Women
女性陣 (Josei-jin) - Group of women
女性社員 (Josei shain) - Female employee
女性職員 (Josei shokuin) - Female employee (public office holder)
女性従業員 (Josei juugyouin) - Female employee
女性労働者 (Josei roudousha) - Female worker
女性選手 (Josei senshu) - Female athlete
女性アーティスト (Josei aatisuto) - Female artist
女性作家 (Josei sakka) - Writer
女性研究者 (Josei kenkyuusha) - Researcher
女性教師 (Josei kyoushi) - Teacher
女性医師 (Josei ishi) - Doctor
女性看護師 (Josei kango-shi) - nurse
女性弁護士 (Josei bengoshi) - attorney
女性経営者 (Josei keiei-sha) - Businesswoman
女性政治家 (Josei seijika) - Women's politics

Related words

貴女

anata

you; madam

女房

nyoubou

wife

長女

choujyo

Oldest daughter

女史

jyoshi

IN.

女性

jyosei

woman

女優

jyoyuu

actress

女王

jyoou

Queen

彼女

kanojyo

she; girlfriend; darling

女の子

onnanoko

girl

女の人

onnanohito

woman

女

Romaji: onna
Kana: おんな
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: woman

Meaning in English: woman

Definition: About women. Feminine gender.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (女) onna

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (女) onna:

Example Sentences - (女) onna

See below some example sentences:

女性は社会において重要な役割を果たしています。

Josei wa shakai ni oite juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Women play an important role in society.

女性 - Women
は - Topic particle
社会 - Society
において - na
重要な - Important
役割 - Paper
を果たしています - perform

彼は強引な方法で彼女を説得しようとした。

Kare wa gouin na houhou de kanojo o settoku shiyou to shita

He tried to persuade his girlfriend in a very insistent way.

He tried to convince her with brute force.

彼 - He
は - Topic particle
強引 - Forced, coercive
な - Suffix indicating adjective
方法 - Method, way
で - Particle indicating medium, instrument
彼女 - Girlfriend, she
を - Direct object particle
説得 - Convince, persuade
しよう - Volitional form of the verb suru (to do)
とした - Tried

彼女がいなくなると寂しくなる。

Kanojo ga inaku naru to sabishiku naru

When my girlfriend disappears

I feel lonely when she is gone.

彼女 - "girlfriend"
が - subject particle
いなくなる - "disappear, vanish"
と - condition particle
寂しく - "lonely"
なる - "become"

彼女の人生は愛と幸福に富んでいる。

Kanojo no jinsei wa ai to kōfuku ni michinde iru

Your life is rich in love and happiness.

彼女 - her in Japanese
の - Possession particle in Japanese
人生 - "Life" in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
愛 - "愛" em japonês
と - connection particle in Japanese
幸福 - 「幸せ」
に - Location particle in Japanese
富んでいる - "いっぱい" (ippai)

彼女に早く結婚の知らせを知らせたい。

Kanojo ni hayaku kekkon no shirase o shirasetai

I want to inform you of the wedding news as soon as possible.

彼女 - "girlfriend"
に - particle indicating the target of the action, "to"
早く - "quickly"
結婚 - "marriage"
の - particle indicating possession, "of"
知らせ - "news"
を - particle indicating the direct object of the action, "to"
知らせたい - verb "to notify"

彼女に見舞いを送りました。

Kanojo ni mimai o okurimashita

I sent her a visit.

I sent a visit to her.

彼女 - "girlfriend"
に - particle indicating the target of the action ("for" the girlfriend)
見舞い - "visit" or "gift for a visit"
を - particle indicating the direct object of the action (he sent "the visit" or "the visiting gift" to his girlfriend)
送りました - "sent"

彼女の心は真っ二つに割れた。

Kanojo no kokoro wa maffutatsu ni wareta

Her heart broke in two.