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:

彼女は私に勝っている。

Kanojo wa watashi ni masutte iru

She is surpassing me.

She is above me.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action
• 勝っている (katteiru) - is winning

彼女は私に仕事を言い付けた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni shigoto o iitsuketa

She gave me work orders.

She gave me a job.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 言い付けた (iitsuketa) - ordenou

彼女は部屋を散らすのが好きです。

Kanojo wa heya wo chirasu no ga suki desu

She likes to mess up the room.

She likes to spread out the room.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 部屋 (heya) - fourth
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 散らす (chirasu) - spread, mess up
• のが (no ga) - particle that indicates that the previous verb is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼女は今日不在です。

Kanojo wa kyō fuzai desu

She is not present today.

She is absent today.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 今日 (kyou) - today
• 不在 (fuzai) - absent
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼女の顔が赤らんでいる。

Kanojo no kao ga akaran de iru

Your face is blushing.

Her face is reddish.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 顔 (kao) - It means "face" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 赤らんでいる (akaran de iru) - verb that indicates that the face is turning red

彼女にプレゼントを贈る予定です。

Kanojo ni purezento o okuru yotei desu

I'm going to give her a present.

I'm going to give her a present.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
• に (ni) - a particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case, "to"
• プレゼント (purezento) - Japanese word meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the present"
• 贈る (okuru) - a verb meaning "to give" or "to present"
• 予定 (yotei) - a word meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - a particle indicating the polite or formal form of the verb "to be"

彼女を迎えに行きます。

Kanojo wo mukae ni ikimasu

I will pick her up.

I will pick myself.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 迎え (mukae) - The verb that means "to seek" or "to receive" in Japanese is "受ける" (うける).
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 行きます (ikimasu) - The verb that means "to go" in Japanese, conjugated in the present tense is "行く" (iku).

彼女を捜す。

Kanojo wo sagasu

I'm looking for her.

Look for her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 捜す (sagasu) - means "search"

彼女を責めるのはやめてください。

Kanojo wo semeru no wa yamete kudasai

Please stop blaming your girlfriend.

Do not blame it.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 責める (semeru) - Verb that means "blame" or "reprimand"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or connection
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• やめて (yamete) - imperative form of the verb "yameru", which means "stop"
• ください (kudasai) - expression meaning "please"

彼女を離すのは辛かった。

Kanojo wo hanasu no wa tsurakatta

It was hard to let her go.

It was painful to release her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 離す (hanasu) - verb meaning "to separate" or "to let go"
• の (no) - nominal particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 辛かった (tsurakatta) - past tense verb meaning "it was difficult" or "it was painful"