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 no ryōri wa rippana desu
Her plate is fine.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- の (no) - of
- 料理 (ryouri) - cuisine
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 立派 (rippa) - splendid, excellent
- です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)
Kanojo no nikurashii taido ni wa itsumo iraira suru
I always get frustrated with your hated attitude.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 憎らしい (nikurashii) - odious, detestable
- 態度 (taido) - attitude, behavior
- には (ni wa) - particle indicating emphasis
- いつも (itsumo) - always
- イライラする (iraira suru) - get irritated, frustrated
Kanojo no hitogara wa totemo atatakakute shinsetsu desu
Your personality is very warm and kind.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 人柄 (hitogara) - personality
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - Very
- 温かくて (atatakakute) - Hot and
- 親切 (shinsetsu) - kind
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
Kanojo no fukusō wa misuborashii desu
Her clothes look bad.
Your clothes are shabby.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 服装 (fukusou) - clothing, attire
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 見すぼらしい (misuborashii) - Messy, careless
- です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form
Kanojo no seichou wo samatageru koto wa dekinai
It cannot stop its growth.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 成長 (seichou) - Growth
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 妨げる (samatageru) - impedir
- こと (koto) - abstract noun
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- できない (dekinai) - cannot be done
Kanojo wa kōhīkappu o otoshita
She dropped her cup of coffee.
She dropped her cup of coffee.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- コーヒーカップ (koohii kappu) - Cup of coffee
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 落とした (otoshita) - let it fall
Kanojo wa aisukurīmu o nameru ta
She licked the ice cream.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - She
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- アイスクリーム (aisukurimu) - Ice cream
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 嘗めた (name ta) - Lambeau
Kanojo wa totemo rikou desu
She's very smart.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 利口 (rikou) - intelligent
- です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite)
Kanojo wa totemo jouzu ni hito o atsukau
She is very good at dealing with people.
She treats people very well.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 上手 (jouzu) - skillful, good
- に (ni) - Target particle
- 人 (hito) - person
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 扱う (atsukau) - deal with, treat
Kanojo wa totemo utsukushii desu
She is very beautiful.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
