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:

彼女の美しさには呆れるばかりだ。

Kanojo no utsukushisa ni wa akireru bakari da

I am impressed by her beauty.

I am impressed by her beauty.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• の - Particle of possession, indicating that "she" is the owner of something.
• 美しさ - "beauty" in Japanese
• には - particle that indicates focus or emphasis
• 呆れる - "to be surprised" or "to be amazed" in Japanese
• ばかり - particle that indicates that something is "only" or "just"
• だ - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present

彼女を苦しめることは許されない。

Kanojo wo kurushimeru koto wa yurusarenai

Não é permitido causar sofrimento a ela.

Não é permitido afligi -la.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 苦しめる - "causar sofrimento" em japonês
• こと - Abstract noun in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 許されない - "não é permitido" em japonês

彼女は彼を縛ることができる。

Kanojo wa kare wo shibaru koto ga dekiru

She can tie it.

She can arrest him.

• 彼女 - "kanojo" means "she" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 彼 - "kare" means "he" in Japanese.
• を - "wo" is a particle for the object in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
• 縛る - "shibaru" means "to tie" in Japanese.
• こと - "koto" is a nominal particle in Japanese, used to turn a verb into a noun.
• が - "ga" is a subject particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• できる - "dekiru" means "to be able to" in Japanese.
• . - The period indicates the end of the sentence.

彼女の態度は冷淡だった。

Kanojo no taido wa reitan datta

Her demeanor was cold and indifferent.

Her attitude was cold.

• 彼女 - she
• の - of
• 態度 - attitude
• は - is
• 冷淡 - fria
• だった - was

彼女の携帯は粉々になった。

Kanojo no keitai wa konagona ni natta

Her cell phone was in pieces.

Her cell phone was broken.

• 彼女 - she
• の - of
• 携帯 - celular
• は - (topic particle)
• 粉々 - in pieces
• に - (destination particle)
• なった - became

彼女の髪は艶やかだ。

Kanojo no kami wa adeyaka da

O cabelo dela é brilhante.

O cabelo dela é brilhante.

• 彼女 - she
• の - of
• 髪 - hair
• は - (topic particle)
• 艶やか - brilhante, lustroso
• だ - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

彼女は優れた才能が備わっている。

Kanojo wa sugureta sainou ga sonawatteiru

She has an exceptional talent.

She has excellent talent.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• 優れた - excelente
• 才能 - talent
• が - subject particle
• 備わっている - be equipped with

彼女は猫を抓るのが得意です。

Kanojo wa neko o toru no ga tokui desu

Ela é boa em pegar gatos.

Ela é boa em bater em um gato.

• 彼女 - She
• は - Topic particle
• 猫 - Gato
• を - Direct object particle
• 抓る - Capturar
• のが - Nominal particle
• 得意 - Habilidade
• です - polite way of being

彼女は疲れ気味だ。

Kanojo wa tsukaregimi da

Ela parece cansada.

Ela está cansada.

• 彼女 - pronome japonês que significa "ela"
• は - partícula japonesa que indica o tópico da frase, neste caso, "ela"
• 疲れ - substantivo japonês que significa "cansaço"
• 気味 - sufixo japonês que indica uma condição ou tendência, neste caso, "um pouco"
• だ - verbo japonês que significa "ser" ou "estar", neste caso, no tempo presente

彼女を帰す。

Kanojo wo kaesu

Eu a mandei para casa.

Devolva -a.

• 彼女 - It means "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 帰す - verbo que significa "enviar de volta para casa" em japonês.
• .