Translation and Meaning of: 男性 - dansei

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 男性[だんせい]. It is common in daily life and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to formal texts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in Japanese culture. Additionally, we will provide tips for memorizing it and understanding its role in everyday sentences. Whether for studies or pure curiosity, this guide will help you master this essential term.

Meaning and translation of 男性

The word 男性[だんせい] is a noun that means "man" or "male." It is made up of the kanji 男 (man) and 性 (gender, nature), forming a term that describes the male gender directly. Unlike other phrases like 男の人 (otoko no hito), which also means "man," 男性 is more neutral and often used in formal or descriptive contexts.

In literal translations, 男性 may appear as "male" in some dictionaries, but this interpretation is rare in everyday use. The term is more commonly used to refer to men in general, whether in statistics, documents, or daily conversations. For example, in advertisements for products or services targeted at a male audience, it is common to see phrases like 男性向け (dansei-muke), which means "for men."

Origin and Cultural Use

The combination of the kanjis 男 and 性 is not recent. The term 男性 (dansei) emerged as a standardized way to refer to the male gender, especially in contrast to 女性 (josei), which means "woman." This distinction is important in discussions about gender in Japan, both in academic contexts and in everyday life.

Culturally, 男性 is a neutral word, but its use can vary depending on the context. In corporate environments, for example, it appears in diversity policies or demographic surveys. In the media, it is common in programs or magazines aimed at a male audience. An interesting detail is that, unlike in Portuguese, where "homem" can have informal connotations, 男性 retains a more technical and descriptive tone.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 男性 is to associate it with its opposite, 女性. Since both share the kanji 性, it becomes easier to recall that they are related to gender terms. Another tip is to practice with simple phrases, such as 男性の友達 (dansei no tomodachi), which means "male friend."

Avoid confusing 男性 with 男子 (danshi), which refers to "boys" or "young men." While 男性 is used for adult men or in general, 男子 has a younger connotation. Also pay attention to the kanji 性, present in other words like 性格 (seikaku, "personality"), which can help expand your vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 男の人 (otoko no hito) - Man (general, neutral term)
• 男 (otoko) - Man (simpler form)
• 男性者 (danseisha) - Male individual (formal)
• 男子 (danshi) - Boy (usually younger)
• 男性人 (danseijin) - Male person (less common usage)
• 男性の方 (dansei no kata) - Man (polite form)

男性

Romaji: dansei
Kana: だんせい
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: male; man

Meaning in English: male;man

Definition: Male: Gender of mature humans, generally characterized by masculinity.

Example Sentences - (男性) dansei

See below some example sentences:

髭が似合う男性は格好いい。

Hige ga niau dansei wa kakkou ii

Men who look good with a beard are attractive.

A man with a beard is cool.

• 髭 - Means "beard" in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 似合う - verb meaning "look good" or "match".
• 男性 - noun meaning "man".
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 格好いい - adjective meaning "cool" or "attractive."

丈夫な男性が道を歩いている。

Joufu na dansei ga michi wo aruite iru

A strong man is walking down the street.

A durable man is walking on the road.

• 丈夫な - adjective meaning "strong"
• 男性 - noun that means "man"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩いている - verb that means "is walking" in the present continuous

丈夫な男性が好きです。

Joufu na dansei ga suki desu

I like strong men.

I like durable men.

• 丈夫な - adjective meaning "strong, robust"
• 男性 - noun that means "man, masculine"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - adjective that means "to like, to love"
• です - verb indicating the polite or formal form of the present tense

大柄な男性が道を歩いている。

Otokonoko ga michi wo aruite iru

A big man is walking down the street.

A big man is walking on the road.

• 大柄な - large
• 男性 - man
• が - subject particle
• 道 - path/street
• を - direct object particle
• 歩いている - walking (continuous form of the verb 歩く)

男性は強くて優しいです。

Danshi wa tsuyokute yasashii desu

Men are strong and kind.

Men are strong and kind.

• 男性 (dansei) - masculine
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 強くて (tsuyokute) - strong and
• 優しい (yasashii) - kind
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

逞しい男性は魅力的です。

Tsuyoshiimono wa miryokuteki desu

A strong man is attractive.

• 逞しい - Strong, robust
• 男性 - man
• は - Topic particle
• 魅力的 - attractive, charming
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form