Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 彼女 | kanojo | [ka̠no̞ʑo̞] (narrow) |
| 意中の女 | ichū no onna | |
| ガールフレンド | gārufurendo | [ɡa̠ːɾɯ̟ɸɯ̟̊ɾẽ̞ndo̞] (narrow) |
| 付き合ってる人 | tsukiatteru hito |
The primary term used to refer to a female romantic partner is 彼女. However, be aware that this word is also used as a general third-person pronoun to mean "she". Depending on the context, it can be unclear whether you are talking about a specific woman or your romantic partner. Other ways to express this concept include the loanword ガールフレンド and the more descriptive 付き合ってる人, which specifically refers to the person you are dating.
What does it mean word for word?
The literary phrase 意中の女 literally translates to "the woman within one's intention/heart."
Which one should you use?
While 彼女 is the standard term, it can be ambiguous because it also means "she". To avoid this confusion, you can use 付き合ってる人 to clearly describe someone you are currently in a relationship with. ガールフレンド is a loanword used in modern or Westernized contexts, and 意中の女 is a more literary expression.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
彼女 is a versatile term that can function in both formal and colloquial settings. ガールフレンド is a loanword typically used in casual or modern contexts. 意中の女 is a literary option, while 付き合ってる人 is a colloquial way to describe a partner.
How do you pronounce it?
kanojo
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using 彼女 to mean "she", be careful. If the context is not clear, listeners may mistakenly think you are talking about your "girlfriend".
Did you know?
- Japanese culture has a custom of 'confessing' romantic feelings through 告白 (kokuhaku) to officially turn a 'friend' into a 彼女.
- The use of 彼女 as a third-person pronoun was heavily influenced by the translation of Western literature during the Meiji period.
- In romantic manga or anime, the phrase 意中の女 is often used by characters who are longing for someone from afar rather than someone they are already dating.
Examples in context
- 彼女が欲しいな。I want a girlfriend.This sentence expresses a desire for a girlfriend using 彼女.Tatoeba #10569693 by small_snow, translation #2011485 by CK
- 彼女を愛してる。I love my girlfriend.This sentence expresses love for a girlfriend using 彼女.Tatoeba #11903833 by small_snow, translation #9975213 by shekitten
- 彼女は私の恋人だ。She is my girlfriend.This sentence uses 彼女 to identify a girlfriend as a lover.Tatoeba #89313 by bunbuku, translation #312168 by CK
- 私の彼女My girlfriend
- 彼女は私の恋人ですShe is my girlfriend
- 私の彼女は日本人です。My girlfriend is Japanese.
- 196 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting at a cafe about dating.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くんには彼女がいるの？Youta-kun ni wa kanojo ga iru no?Does Youta have a girlfriend?
- 陽太 Yotaううん、今はいないよ。Uun, ima wa inai yo.No, I don't have one right now.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、早く見つけないとね。Jaa, hayaku mitsukenai to ne.Well, then you'd better find one soon.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、頑張るよ。Sou da ne, ganbaru yo.You're right, I'll try my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries 彼女, ガールフレンド, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ガールフレンド, 彼女, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
