お嬢さん
ojōsan
The English phrase "young lady" is translated into Japanese as お嬢さん (ojōsan).
お嬢さん is used to refer to an adolescent or young female. It is a polite term that carries a sense of refinement and often implies that the person being addressed comes from a good family.
Meaning: an adolescent or young female (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the honorific prefix o, the kanji for "daughter/lady" (jō) and the honorific suffix san.
Which one should you use?
While the English "young lady" can sometimes be used to scold a child or used condescendingly, お嬢さん is almost always respectful.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お嬢さん is a polite term used in formal settings to address or refer to an unmarried lady with respect. If you are referring to a young lady from a respected or noble family, the even more formal お嬢様 is commonly used. For informal situations, such as when you are close to the person or speaking to a child or a teenager, お嬢ちゃん is more suitable.
How do you pronounce it?
ojōsan
Did you know?
- If you use お嬢様 to address a waitress or a shop clerk, it may come across as strangely dramatic or even sarcastic, as if you are treating a common service job like a high-class tea party.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in 'otaku' subcultures, the term お嬢様 is often used as a specific trope to describe a character with a very refined, wealthy, and somewhat haughty personality.
- While お嬢さん is used to address a young lady, it is most commonly used by a person to refer to someone else's daughter, rather than to address the girl directly.
Examples in context
- あのお嬢さんは看護師ですよ。That young lady is a nurse.This sentence shows how to use お嬢さん to identify someone's profession.Tatoeba #10774600 by bunbuku, translation #1258603 by CK
- そこのお嬢さんExcuse me, young lady (said to get her attention)This sentence shows how to use お嬢さん to get someone's attention.
- お嬢様、ご注文はお決まりですか？Young lady, have you decided on your order?
- お嬢ちゃん、おいでよ。Hey, young lady, come here.
- あちらのお嬢さんはとても親切ですね。Achira no ojousan wa totemo shinsetsu desu ne.That young lady over there is very kind, isn't she?
Example conversation
Yui is introducing her younger sister to Daito.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらが妹のお嬢さんです。kochira ga imouto no ojōsan desuThis is my young sister.
- 大翔 Hirotoはじめまして。よろしくお願いします。hajimemashite. yoroshiku onegaishimasuNice to meet you. Pleased to meet you.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんに紹介したかったの。daito-san ni shoukai shitakatta noI wanted to introduce her to you, Daito.
- 大翔 Hiroto礼儀正しいお嬢さんですね。reigitadashii ojōsan desu neShe is a polite young lady.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry お嬢さん, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
