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 kokoro o fusagete iru
She's blocking his heart.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 心 (kokoro) - heart, mind, emotions
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 塞いでいる (fusaideiru) - It is blocked, closed, obstructed
Kanojo wa sainou ni afurete iru
She overflows with talent.
She is full of talent.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 才能 (sainou) - talent
- に (ni) - particle indicating destination or target
- 溢れている (afureteiru) - overflowing, full of
Kanojo wa kenmei ni benkyou shiteimasu
She is studying hard.
She is studying hard.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 懸命に (kenmei ni) - Dedicadamente
- 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - Is studying
Kanojo wa ryōri ni kōshinryō o soeru no ga suki desu
She likes to add spices to the food.
She likes to add spices to the kitchen.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 料理 (ryōri) - Cooking
- に (ni) - Destination particle
- 香辛料 (kōshinryō) - Spices
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 添える (soeru) - add
- のが (noga) - nominal subject particle
- 好き (suki) - Like
- です (desu) - sentence-final particle
Kanojo wa enjo o hitsuyou to shiteimasu
She needs help.
She needs assistance.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 援助 (enjo) - Ajuda, assistência
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
- としています (toshiteimasu) - It is in need
Kanojo wa fuku wo nugu no ga suki desu
She likes to take off her clothes.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 服 (fuku) - clothes
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 脱ぐ (nugu) - to take out
- のが (noga) - particle indicating that the sentence is a nominal subordinate
- 好き (suki) - like
- です (desu) - Verb ser/estar in the formal present tense
Kanojo wa danteiteki na taido o totta
She adopted a decisive attitude.
She adopted a definitive attitude.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 断定的 (danteiteki) - determined, decisive
- な (na) - auxiliary particle
- 態度 (taido) - attitude
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- とった (totta) - took
Kanojo wa umi ni ishi o shizumeta
She sank a stone into the sea.
She sank the stone into the sea.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 海 (umi) - sea
- に (ni) - Destination particle
- 石 (ishi) - stone
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 沈めた (shizumeta) - Afundou
Kanojo wa kappatsu na seikaku desu
She has an active personality.
She has a lively personality.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 活発な (kappatsu na) - Ativo, enérgico
- 性格 (seikaku) - personality
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kanojo wa neko wo naderu no ga suki desu
She likes to pet cats.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 猫 (neko) - cat
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 撫でる (naderu) - to caress
- のが (noga) - particle that indicates that the previous verb is the subject of the next sentence
- 好き (suki) - like
- です (desu) - polite way of being
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
