japanese kanji for woman

What Is The Japanese Kanji For Woman? | How To Say Woman In Japanese? 

Jun 05, 2024Shopify API

The Japanese kanji for woman is 女. In its simplest form, it consists of two strokes: a horizontal stroke at the top and a slightly curved vertical stroke beneath it. 

This elegant combination reflects the essence of femininity and captures the physical form of a woman, highlighting her head and body. However, the symbolism goes far beyond the strokes themselves.

Japanese Kanji For Woman Is 女

The Japanese kanji for "woman" is 女. It symbolizes the female gender and carries cultural connotations of femininity and societal roles. 

Comprising the radicals 大 (meaning "big") and 女 (meaning "woman"), it visually represents a woman's form and significance in Japanese language and culture.

Japanese Kanji For Woman Is 女

How To Say Woman In Japanese? 

  1. 女性 (Josei): This is a commonly used and polite term for "woman." It is neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, including formal conversations, written communication, and everyday interactions.
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  1. 女の子 (Onna no ko): This phrase translates to "girl" in English and refers to a young female. It's a gentle and friendly way to talk about a girl or young woman.
  1. 婦人 (Fujin): This word is slightly more formal and can be used to refer to women, especially in formal or official contexts. It has a sense of respect and dignity.
  1. 女性の方 (Josei no kata): Adding "の方" (no kata) to 女性 (josei) makes it more respectful and adds a touch of formality. It's often used when addressing or referring to women in a polite manner.
  1. 女子 (Joshi): This term is often used to refer to young women or girls, especially in contexts related to education, sports, or groups. For instance, 女子大学 (joshi daigaku) means "women's university."
  2. 女優 (Joyuu): This word specifically refers to an "actress." It's used to describe women who perform on stage, television, or in movies.
  1. 女性社会人 (Josei shakaijin): This term is used to refer to "working women" or "career women." It emphasizes their role as professionals in society.
  1. 女将 (Okami): While not directly translating to "woman," 女将 refers to the proprietress of an inn or a restaurant. It's a title that often implies respect and authority.
  1. 女の人 (Onna no hito): This phrase means "woman" in a simple and straightforward manner. It's suitable for casual conversations.
  1. 女王 (Joou): This term means "queen" and is used to refer to a female monarch or ruler.

Breaking Down the Kanji for Woman 女

The kanji 女, symbolizing "woman" in the Japanese language, is a prime example of how the intricate components of kanji characters come together to convey deep meanings. 

Breaking down this character reveals the underlying radicals that contribute to its essence, offering a visual exploration of its significance.

Radicals and Composition:

The kanji 女 is composed of two distinct radicals, each carrying its own connotation:

  • 大 (Dai): The radical 大 forms the upper part of the 女 character. This radical represents "big" or "large." In the context of this kanji, it symbolizes the head or the upper part of the human body. The use of this radical infuses a sense of importance and prominence, highlighting the significance of women.
  • 女 (Onna): The lower portion of the 女 character contains the radical 女 itself. This component is the character for "woman." Its inclusion reinforces the character's primary meaning and underscores its essence.

Sentence Examples For 女

  • その美しい女性は花屋を経営しています。
    (Sono utsukushii josei wa hanaya o keiei shiteimasu.)
    That beautiful woman owns a flower shop.
  • 彼女は社会的な変化を促進する活動に尽力しています。
    (Kanojo wa shakai-teki na henka o sokushin suru katsudou ni jinryoku shiteimasu.)
    She is putting effort into activities that promote social change.
  • 新しい映画で有名な女優が主演します。
    (Atarashii eiga de yuumei na joyuu ga shuen shimasu.)
    A famous actress will star in the new movie.
  • その女の子は音楽の才能に溢れています。
    (Sono onna no ko wa ongaku no sainou ni afureteimasu.)
    That girl is brimming with musical talent.
  • 女性の参加が増えるにつれて、経済界のダイナミクスも変わりつつあります。
    (Josei no sanka ga fueru ni tsurete, keizai-kai no dainamikusu mo kawaritsutsu arimasu.)
    As the participation of women increases, the dynamics of the business world are changing as well.
  • 女の子たちは元気に遊んでいました。
    (Onna no ko-tachi wa genki ni asondeimasu.)
    The girls were playing energetically.
  • 彼女は困難な状況に立ち向かうための強さを持っています。
    (Kanojo wa konnan na joukyou ni tachimukau tame no tsuyosa o motteimasu.)
    She possesses the strength to face challenging situations.
  • 女性の権利が尊重される社会を築くために活動しています。
    (Josei no kenri ga sonchou sareru shakai o kizuku tame ni katsudou shiteimasu.)
    She is working to create a society that respects women's rights.
  • その料理店の女将はお客様に温かく迎えられました。
    (Sono ryouri-ten no okami wa okyakusama ni atatakaku mukaeraremashita.)
    The proprietress of the restaurant warmly welcomed the customers.
  • 女王は国の未来について演説しました。
    (Joou wa kuni no mirai ni tsuite enzetsu shimashita.)
    The queen delivered a speech about the future of the nation.

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