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:

彼女は料理に心を凝らす。

Kanojo wa ryōri ni kokoro o korasu

She dedicates her soul to cooking.

She is excited to cook.

彼女 - means "she" in Japanese.
は - topic particle in Japanese.
料理 - culinária
に - destination particle in Japanese.
心 - means "heart" or "mind" in Japanese.
を - Object particle in Japanese.
凝らす - means "to dedicate oneself" or "to concentrate" in Japanese.

彼女は暗示を与えた。

Kanojo wa anji o ataeta

She gave a suggestion.

彼女 - means "she" in Japanese.
は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "she".
暗示 - means "suggestion" in Japanese.
を - object particle in Japanese, which indicates that "suggestion" is the direct object of the sentence.
与えた - means "gave" in Japanese, in the past tense.

彼女は眼鏡を掛けている。

Kanojo wa megane o kakette iru

She is wearing glasses.

She wears glasses.

彼女 - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
眼鏡 - The word for "glasses" in Japanese is "眼鏡" (めがね, megane).
を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
掛けている - The present continuous form of the verb 掛ける (kakeru), which means "to use" or "to put on."

彼女の髪は風に漂っていた。

Kanojo no kami wa kaze ni tadayotte ita

Her hair was floating in the wind.

彼女 - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
髪 - means "hair" in Japanese
は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
風 - means "wind" in Japanese
に - particle that indicates action or direction
漂っていた - verb meaning "to float" or "to hover" in the past continuous tense

彼女は彼を放り出した。

Kanojo wa kare o houridashta

She pushed him aside.

She left him.

彼女 - It means "girlfriend" in Japanese.
は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
彼 - It means "he" in Japanese.
を - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
放り出した - Japanese verb that means "to throw away" or "to abandon."

彼女は私の趣味を嫌う。

Kanojo wa watashi no shumi o kirau

She doesn't like my hobbies.

She hates my hobby.

彼女 - It means "girlfriend" in Japanese.
は - topic particle in Japanese.
私の - "meu" in Japanese.
趣味 - "hobby" in Japanese.
を - Object particle in Japanese.
嫌う - "Odiar" in Japanese.

彼女の機嫌が悪い。

Kanojo no kigen ga warui

She is in a bad mood.

彼女 - Means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese.
の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
機嫌 - means "mood" or "state of mind" in Japanese.
が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
悪い - means "bad" in Japanese.

彼女と私は似るように見える。

Kanojo to watashi wa niru you ni mieru

She and I look similar.

彼女 - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
と - a binding particle in Japanese, which can be translated as "and" or "with"
私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
は - a particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
似る - a Japanese verb meaning "to resemble"
ように - a particle in Japanese that indicates a comparison or similarity
見える - a Japanese verb meaning "to look" or "to appear"

彼女は来年赤ちゃんを産む予定です。

Kanojo wa rainen akachan o umu yotei desu

She plans to have a baby next year.

She will have a baby next year.

彼女 - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "she" is the subject of the sentence
来年 - means "next year" in Japanese
赤ちゃん - means "baby" in Japanese
を - object particle in Japanese, indicating that "baby" is the object of the action
産む - means "to give birth" in Japanese
予定 - means "plan" or "schedule" in Japanese
です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative