貴婦人
kifujin[kʲiɸɯ̟ʑĩɴ]
The Japanese word for lady is 貴婦人 (kifujin).
貴婦人 is used to describe a woman of high social standing or elegance. It is frequently found in literature or formal descriptions to convey a sense of dignity, such as in the phrase 貴婦人の風格, which means the air of a lady.
Meaning: polite: woman (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 貴, meaning noble or precious and 婦人, meaning woman or lady.
Which one should you use?
While 貴婦人 refers specifically to a high-class lady, the term 女性 is the standard, neutral word for woman or lady. Additionally, 女の方 is used as a highly formal expression for lady and 奥さん is often used when referring to someone's wife or a married woman.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
貴婦人 is a highly formal and somewhat old-fashioned term. In contrast, 女性 is a more generic, neutral term and 女の方 is a highly formal expression.
How do you pronounce it?
kifujin
Did you know?
- While 貴婦人 is formal, the term お姉さん (oneesan), meaning 'older sister', is frequently used by shopkeepers to address any young lady as a friendly gesture.
- If you call a contemporary woman 貴婦人 in a casual setting, it may come across as sarcastic or as if you are mocking her for being too stiff.
- While 貴婦人 evokes images of Western nobility, the term is actually a modern loan-concept from Western social structures rather than a traditional Japanese way to define status.
Examples in context
- 彼女には貴婦人の風格がある。She has the air of being a lady.This sentence shows how to use 貴婦人 to describe someone's dignified aura.Tatoeba #94971 by mookeee, translation #308736 by CM
- 田中さんの奥さんは優しい女性です。Mr. Tanaka's wife is a kind lady.
- あそこの女の人は私の大学の友達です。The lady over there is my college friend.
- 音楽業界には才能ある女性がたくさんいます。There are many talented ladies in the music industry.
- 彼女はまさに真の貴婦人だ。Kanojo wa masa ni shin no kifujin da.She is truly a real lady.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching a formal gala on television.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこにいる貴婦人は美しいですね。Asoko ni iru kifujin wa utsukushii desu ne.The lady over there is beautiful, isn't she?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですね、品があります。Hontou desu ne, hin ga arimasu.She is, she has great class.
- 結衣 Yuiまるで物語の貴婦人のようです。Marude monogatari no kifujin no you desu.She is just like a lady from a story.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんは、彼女のような雰囲気があります。Yui-san wa, kanojo no you na fun'iki ga arimasu.Yui, you have an atmosphere like hers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 貴婦人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
