When talking about siblings in Japanese, there are specific terms for birth order within a family. For daughters, we have 長女 (chōjo) for the eldest daughter, 次女 (jijo) for the second daughter, and 三女 (sanjo) for the third daughter, and so on. Similarly, for sons, it's 長男 (chōnan) for the eldest son, 次男 (jinan) for the second son, and 三男 (sannan) for the third son. While you can also use phrases like 二番目の娘 (nibanme no musume) meaning 'second daughter', using these specific birth order terms like 次女 is more natural and common in everyday Japanese conversation. It's a key part of understanding family dynamics in Japanese culture.
How Formal Is It?
"次女は今年で20歳になります。 (My second daughter will be 20 years old this year.)"
"私の次女は高校生です。 (My second daughter is a high school student.)"
"うちの下の娘はよく食べるよ。 (My younger daughter eats a lot.)"
"次女ちゃん、どこにいるの？ (Second daughter-chan, where are are you?)"
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '次' (ji) as 'next' or 'second,' and '女' (jo) as 'woman' or 'daughter.' So, 'next daughter' or 'second daughter.'
Visual Association
Imagine a family with two daughters. The second one in line, perhaps a little younger and just as lively as the first. This visual helps solidify the idea of the 'second daughter.'
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe your own family or a fictional family, specifically using 次女. For example: 「私の友達には次女がいます。」 (My friend has a second daughter.)
Test Yourself 12 questions
Imagine you are introducing your family to a Japanese friend. Write a few sentences describing your second daughter, including her age and a hobby she enjoys. Use 次女.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の次女は来月で10歳になります。彼女は絵を描くのが趣味で、週末によく公園でスケッチをしています。 (My second daughter will be 10 next month. Her hobby is drawing, and she often sketches in the park on weekends.)
You are writing a short paragraph for a personal blog about the joys and challenges of raising multiple children. Describe a recent anecdote involving your second daughter that highlights her personality. Use 次女.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
うちの次女はとても活発で、いつも新しいことに挑戦したがります。先日、彼女は一人で自転車に乗れるようになりました。 (My second daughter is very active and always wants to try new things. The other day, she learned to ride a bicycle by herself.)
Write a short letter to a relative describing your second daughter's academic progress or a recent achievement she is proud of. Use 次女.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
おばさん、お元気ですか。次女の学業についてご報告します。彼女は最近、数学のコンテストで一位になりました。 (Aunt, how are you? I'd like to report on my second daughter's academic progress. She recently won first place in a math contest.)
この文章から、佐藤家の次女について何が分かりますか？ (From this passage, what can be understood about the Sato family's second daughter?)
Read this passage:
佐藤家の家族は皆、とても仲良しです。長女はもう大学生で、東京で一人暮らしをしています。次女は高校生で、バスケットボール部に所属しています。三女はまだ小学生ですが、いつも明るく家族を和ませています。 (The Sato family is all very close. The eldest daughter is already a university student, living alone in Tokyo. The second daughter is a high school student and belongs to the basketball club. The third daughter is still an elementary school student, but she always brightens up the family.)
この文章から、佐藤家の次女について何が分かりますか？ (From this passage, what can be understood about the Sato family's second daughter?)
文章に「次女は高校生で、バスケットボール部に所属しています」と明記されています。 (It is clearly stated in the text that 'The second daughter is a high school student and belongs to the basketball club.')
文章に「次女は高校生で、バスケットボール部に所属しています」と明記されています。 (It is clearly stated in the text that 'The second daughter is a high school student and belongs to the basketball club.')
田中さんの次女は今、どこにいますか？ (Where is Mr. Tanaka's second daughter now?)
Read this passage:
先日、友人の田中さんから家族の話を聞きました。彼の次女は今年から留学でアメリカに行っているそうです。英語の勉強だけでなく、異文化交流も楽しんでいると話していました。 (The other day, I heard about my friend Tanaka's family. His second daughter went to America for study abroad this year. He said she is not only studying English but also enjoying cross-cultural exchange.)
田中さんの次女は今、どこにいますか？ (Where is Mr. Tanaka's second daughter now?)
文章に「彼の次女は今年から留学でアメリカに行っているそうです」とあります。 (The text states, 'His second daughter went to America for study abroad this year.')
文章に「彼の次女は今年から留学でアメリカに行っているそうです」とあります。 (The text states, 'His second daughter went to America for study abroad this year.')
祖母の次女の職業は何でしたか？ (What was the profession of the grandmother's second daughter?)
Read this passage:
私の祖母には三人の娘がいました。長女は医者になり、次女は教師として働きました。三女は海外でビジネスを立ち上げ、成功を収めました。祖母はいつも娘たちの活躍を誇りに思っていました。 (My grandmother had three daughters. The eldest daughter became a doctor, and the second daughter worked as a teacher. The third daughter started a business overseas and achieved success. My grandmother was always proud of her daughters' achievements.)
祖母の次女の職業は何でしたか？ (What was the profession of the grandmother's second daughter?)
文章に「次女は教師として働きました」と明記されています。 (It is clearly stated in the text that 'the second daughter worked as a teacher.')
文章に「次女は教師として働きました」と明記されています。 (It is clearly stated in the text that 'the second daughter worked as a teacher.')
Listen to identify who is the most responsible in the family.
Listen for when the second daughter will become a university student.
Listen for the location of the second daughter's wedding.
Read this aloud:
私の次女はいつも明るくて、周りの人を笑顔にします。
Focus: 次女
You said:
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Read this aloud:
次女が生まれた時、家族みんなが喜びました。
Focus: 生まれた時
You said:
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Read this aloud:
次女は将来、医者になりたいと言っています。
Focus: 医者になりたい
You said:
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/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More family words
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
