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

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.

Example Sentences - (彼女) kanojyo

See below some example sentences:

彼女のドレスは真っ赤でとても美しかった。

Kanojo no doresu wa makka de totemo utsukushikatta

Her dress was living red and very beautiful.

His dress was bright and very beautiful red.

• 彼女の - "Kanojo no" means "of the girlfriend."
• ドレス - "Doresu" means "dress"
• は - "Wa" is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 真っ赤 - "Makka" means "bright red".
• で - "De" is a particle that indicates the means or manner of something.
• とても - "totemo" means "very"
• 美しかった - "Utsukushikatta" means "it was beautiful."

「彼女との約束は無しです。」

Kanojo to no yakusoku wa nashi desu

There is no promise to her.

• 彼女との約束 - means "commitment to girlfriend"
• は - Topic particle
• 無し - means "there is no"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

彼女の意見は偏る傾向がある。

Kanojo no iken wa katayoru keikou ga aru

Your opinion tends to be biased.

• 彼女の意見 - "Her opinion"
• は - Topic particle
• 偏る - "Being biased"
• 傾向 - "Trend"
• が - Subject particle
• ある - "Exist"

彼女の作品には雅致がある。

Kanojo no sakuhin ni wa gachi ga aru

Your work has elegance.

• 彼女の作品 - "Kanojo no sakuhin" means "her works".
• には - "Ni wa" is a particle that indicates that what follows is a characteristic or quality of what was mentioned earlier.
• 雅致 - "Gachi" is a term that refers to a refined and elegant quality.
• が - "Ga" is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - "Aru" is a verb meaning "to exist" or "to be".

手紙を彼女に宛てた。

Tegami o kanojo ni atereta

I addressed the letter to her.

I sent her letter to her.

• 手紙 - letter
• を - direct object particle
• 彼女 - she
• に - target particle
• 宛てた - addressed

私は彼女を呼び出す必要があります。

Watashi wa kanojo o yobidasu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to call her.

I need to call her.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "she"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "her"
• 呼び出す (yobidasu) - Japanese verb that means "to call"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating the subject of the action, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "have", used to indicate the existence of something

私は彼女の未来について危ぶんでいる。

Watashi wa kanojo no mirai ni tsuite ayamubun de iru

I'm worried about her future.

I'm in danger of your future.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese noun that means "girlfriend" or "she"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "未来" (mirai) belongs to "彼女" (kanojo)
• 未来 (mirai) - Japanese noun that means "future"
• について (ni tsuite) - expression that indicates the theme or subject of the sentence, in this case, "未来" (mirai)
• 危ぶんでいる (ayamanden iru) - Japanese verb that means "to be worried" or "to be anxious"

私は彼女の手を私の手にくっ付けた。

Watashi wa kanojo no te wo watashi no te ni kutsuketa

I clasped her hand in mine.

I put her hand in mine.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "she"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates the relationship of possession or belonging
• 手 (te) - Japanese noun meaning "hand"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates the relationship of possession or belonging
• 手 (te) - Japanese noun meaning "hand"
• に (ni) - destination particle that indicates the place or person to which the action is directed
• くっ付けた (kutsuketa) - Japanese verb in the past that means "to join" or "to stick."

私は彼女を推薦します。

Watashi wa kanojo o suisen shimasu

I recommend her.

I recommend it.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 推薦します (suisenshimasu) - verb meaning "recommend"

私は彼女を計画に含めた。

Watashi wa kanojo o keikaku ni fukumeru

I included her in the plan.

I included her in the plan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating that "she" is the direct object of the action
• 計画 (keikaku) - noun that means "plan"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action directed toward a target or objective, in this case, "include in the plan"
• 含めた (hazumeta) - included