女
JLPT N5
Woman, female
Readings
On’yomi: ジョ, ニョ (jo, nyo)
Kun’yomi: おんな, め (onna, me)
• おんな (onna) → woman
• め (me) → girl / female (used in compounds, less common alone)
Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
女
おんな
woman
女の子
おんなのこ
girl
女性
じょせい
female
女神
めがみ
goddess
女子
じょし
female student
Example Sentences
あの人は女です。
あのひとは おんなです。
That person is a woman.
公園に女の子がいます。
こうえんに おんなのこが います。
There is a girl in the park.
この仕事は女性に人気です。
この しごとは じょせいに にんきです。
This job is popular with women.
女神の像を見ました。
めがみの ぞうを みました。
I saw a statue of a goddess.
女子学生が多いです。
じょしがくせいが おおいです。
There are many female students.
Cultural Note
1. Gender Roles & Kanji
o Historically, 女 represented women’s roles in domestic life, like kneeling, weaving, or managing the household.
o Over time, it broadened to represent all female-related concepts.
2. Politeness & Formal Terms
o In Japanese, 女性 (じょせい) is a polite way to refer to women in formal contexts.
o 女 (おんな) is neutral and common in casual speech.
3. Modern Usage
o Combined with other kanji, 女 forms words for social roles, charm, or status, e.g.:
女子 (girls / female students)
女王 (queen)
女神 (goddess)
4. Subtle Cultural Nuance
o Japanese often pair 女 with 男 (man) to indicate gender differences or categories, e.g., 男女 (だんじょ) = men and women, 男女平等 = gender equality.
o Historically, 女 represented women’s roles in domestic life, like kneeling, weaving, or managing the household.
o Over time, it broadened to represent all female-related concepts.
2. Politeness & Formal Terms
o In Japanese, 女性 (じょせい) is a polite way to refer to women in formal contexts.
o 女 (おんな) is neutral and common in casual speech.
3. Modern Usage
o Combined with other kanji, 女 forms words for social roles, charm, or status, e.g.:
女子 (girls / female students)
女王 (queen)
女神 (goddess)
4. Subtle Cultural Nuance
o Japanese often pair 女 with 男 (man) to indicate gender differences or categories, e.g., 男女 (だんじょ) = men and women, 男女平等 = gender equality.