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
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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
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.
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How to Write in Japanese - (彼女) kanojyo
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (彼女) kanojyo:
Example Sentences - (彼女) kanojyo
See below some example sentences:
Kanojo wa totemo nasakebukai hito desu
She is a very compassionate person.
She is a very sad person.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 情け深い (nasakebukai) - compassionate
- 人 (hito) - person
- です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)
Kanojo wa unun to hanashiteita
She was talking about it and that.
She was talking.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 云々 (unun) - etc., and so on
- と (to) - Quote particle
- 話していた (hanashiteita) - I was speaking
Kanojo wa rippusutikku o tsuketa
She put on lipstick.
She pinned a lipstick.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- リップスティック (rippusutikku) - lipstick
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 付けた (tsuketa) - put
Kanojo wa taiyō no yō ni kagayaku to tatoerareru
It is compared to a bright sun.
It is compared to shine like the sun.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 太陽 (taiyou) - Sun
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- ように (you ni) - As, similar to
- 輝く (kagayaku) - shine
- と (to) - Quote particle
- 例えられる (tatoerareru) - be compared, be described as
Kanojo wa shigoto o tashikiri to konasu
She does her job solidly and reliably.
She does the job confirmed.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 仕事 (shigoto) - Job
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 確り (tashika ri) - firmly, securely
- と (to) - connecting particle
- こなす (konasu) - Perform, fulfill
Kanojo wa kare kara okane wo toritateru no ga tokui da
She is good at collecting money from him.
She is good at collecting money from him.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 彼 (kare) - he
- から (kara) - from, starting at
- お金 (okane) - money
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 取り立てる (toritateru) - charge, demand
- のが (noga) - particle indicating skill or talent
- 得意 (tokui) - skilled, talented
- だ (da) - Verb "to be"
Kanojo wa tsuneni jishin o obite iru
She always carries with her confidence.
She is always confident.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 常に (tsuneni) - always
- 自信 (jishin) - Confidence
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 帯びている (ota bite iru) - is loading/possessing
Kanojo wa kokoro ga yande iru
She is suffering from a mental illness.
She's sick.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 心 (kokoro) - heart, mind, emotions
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 病んでいる (yandeiru) - is sick, is suffering
Kanojo wa kare wo kechirashta
She kicked him away.
She kicked him.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 彼 (kare) - he
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 蹴飛ばした (ketobashita) - kicked away
Kanojo wa ijiwaru na kotoba o itta
She said evil words.
She said an evil word.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 意地悪 (ijiwaru) - evil, cruel
- な (na) - particle modifying a noun
- 言葉 (kotoba) - word
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 言った (itta) - he said
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
