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

Related words

彼の

ano

that over there

他

hoka

other

さん

san

Mr. or Mrs

恋人

koibito

lover; dear

彼

kare

he; boyfriend

彼等

karera

they

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.

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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:

彼女に出くわすのは毎日のことだ。

Kanojo ni dekuwasu no wa mainichi no koto da

Meeting her is something that happens every day.

It's to find her every day.

彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
出くわす (dekawasu) - verb that means "to find" or "to encounter"
のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
毎日 (mainichi) - The adverb that means "every day" or "daily"
のこと (no koto) - expression that means "thing of"
だ (da) - verb that indicates existence or affirmation

彼女の心は狂っている。

Kanojo no kokoro wa kurutte iru

Your heart is crazy.

彼女 - her in Japanese
の - possessive particle in Japanese, indicating that "heart" belongs to "her"
心 - "coração" in Japanese
は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "heart" is the main subject of the sentence
狂っている - "crazy" in Japanese, indicating the current state of "her" "heart"

彼女との交際はとても楽しいです。

Kanojo to no kousai wa totemo tanoshii desu

My relationship with my girlfriend is a lot of fun.

Dating with her is a lot of fun.

彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend"
との (tono) - a particle that indicates "with"
交際 (kousai) - it means "dating"
は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
とても (totemo) - means "very"
楽しい (tanoshii) - means "fun"
です (desu) - a particle that indicates the end of the sentence and formality

彼女はいつも着飾るのが好きです。

Kanojo wa itsumo kikazaru no ga suki desu

She always likes to dress up.

彼女 - her in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
いつも - Always in Japanese
着飾る - "to dress oneself" in Japanese
の - nominal particle in Japanese
が - Subject particle in Japanese.
好き - "like" in Japanese
です - verb "to be" in Japanese

彼女の失恋は気の毒だ。

Kanojo no shitsuren wa ki no doku da

It is a pity that she suffered a heartbreak.

Your broken heart is sorry.

彼女 - her in Japanese
の - Possession particle in Japanese
失恋 - heartbreak in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
気の毒 - regrettable in Japanese
だ - verb "to be" in Japanese

彼女はセンスがある。

Kanojo wa sensu ga aru

She has a sense of style.

She has a sense.

彼女 - her in Japanese
は - Topic particle
センス - "senso" in Japanese, referring to skill or taste in something.
が - subject particle
ある - "exists" or "has" in Japanese, referring to the previously mentioned skill or good taste

彼女はいつも私の側に添ってくれる。

Kanojo wa itsumo watashi no soba ni sotte kureru

She always stays by my side.

She always accompanies me.

彼女 - her in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
いつも - Always in Japanese
私の - "my" in Japanese
側に - "next to" in Japanese
添ってくれる - "accompanies" in Japanese, with the verb in the form "te-form" and the suffix "kureru" indicating that it is something done for the benefit of the speaker