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A2 noun #1,300 most common 2 min read

女の子

onnanoko Top 1,300

When talking about girls in Japanese, you'll most commonly hear the word 女の子 (onnanoko). This word literally translates to 'female child' or 'female kid'. It's a very common and natural way to refer to a girl, whether you're talking about a young girl or even a young woman.

You might also encounter 少女 (shōjo), which also means girl, but it often carries a nuance of a slightly older girl, perhaps a maiden or a young lady, and is more common in literature or specific contexts like 'shojo manga'. However, for everyday conversation, 女の子 is your go-to word.

Practice it

§ Understanding 女の子 in Context

You've learned that 女の子 (onna no ko) means "girl." Now, let's look at how it compares to other Japanese words that also refer to females, and when it's best to use 女の子.

§ 女の子 vs. 女性 (josei)

Definition: 女性 (josei): Woman; female (general, formal term)

The biggest difference here is age and formality. 女の子 specifically refers to a young female, a girl. 女性, on the other hand, is a more general and formal term for a woman or female of any age. It's often used in official contexts, surveys, or when speaking about adults.

彼女はかわいい女の子です。
She is a cute girl.

この部屋は女性専用です。
This room is for women only.

§ 女の子 vs. 娘 (musume)

Definition: 娘 (musume): Daughter; young girl (often used by parents or about someone's child)

While 娘 can sometimes refer to a young girl, its primary meaning is "daughter." When a parent talks about their child, they will likely use 娘. If you're referring to a girl who is not your child, 女の子 is the more appropriate term.

私の娘は高校生です。
My daughter is a high school student.

公園で遊んでいる女の子たち。
Girls playing in the park.

§ 女の子 vs. 少女 (shōjo)

Definition: 少女 (shōjo): Young girl, maiden (literary, slightly more formal or artistic than 女の子)

少女 also means "young girl," but it carries a slightly different nuance than 女の子. 少女 is often used in literature, manga, or more formal contexts to describe a girl, sometimes with an emphasis on innocence or youth. 女の子 is more common in everyday spoken language.

その少女はバイオリンを弾いています。
That girl is playing the violin.

可愛い女の子が隣に座った。
A cute girl sat next to me.

§ Summary of Usage

When to use which term:

女の子 (onna no ko): Most common, everyday term for "girl." Use this for young females in general conversation.
女性 (josei): Formal and general term for "woman" or "female." Use for adult females or in formal situations.
娘 (musume): Primarily "daughter." Use when referring to someone's child.
少女 (shōjo): "Young girl," but with a more literary or slightly formal feel. Less common in casual conversation than 女の子.

By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the most natural and appropriate word when talking about females in Japanese. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"その女性は新しいプロジェクトのリーダーです。"

Neutral

"あの女の子はとても可愛いですね。"

Informal

"クラスの女子たちはみんな元気です。"

Child friendly

"おんなのこがお花を摘んでいます。"

Slang

"あのギャル、すごくおしゃれだね。"

Grammar to Know

When referring to a specific girl, you can use the demonstrative pronoun 「この」(kono) meaning 'this' before 女の子 (onnanoko).

この女の子は私の妹です。 (Kono onnanoko wa watashi no imōto desu.) - This girl is my younger sister.

To form the plural 'girls', you can add 「たち」(tachi) after 女の子 (onnanoko).

女の子たちは公園で遊んでいます。 (Onnanoko-tachi wa kōen de asonde imasu.) - The girls are playing in the park.

When describing a characteristic of a girl, you can use an adjective before 女の子 (onnanoko).

可愛い女の子がそこにいます。 (Kawaii onnanoko ga soko ni imasu.) - A cute girl is there.

To indicate possession, you can use the particle 「の」(no) after 女の子 (onnanoko).

女の子の自転車は新しいです。 (Onnanoko no jitensha wa atarashii desu.) - The girl's bicycle is new.

女の子 (onnanoko) can be used as part of a compound noun to specify something related to girls.

女の子向けのおもちゃ。 (Onnanoko-muke no omocha.) - Toys for girls.

Word Family

Nouns

女 woman; female

子 child

女性 woman; female