How to Say Girl in Japanese: 彼女, 女の子, and the Difference Between Them
The Japanese word for "girl" depends on the meaning: 彼女 (kanojo) — girlfriend, 女の子 (onna no ko) — girl, young woman, 女性 (josei) — woman in a neutral-polite sense. Be careful: 彼女 also means "she," and confusing them is a classic beginner mistake.
The word 彼女 works both as "she" and "my girlfriend." Japanese people distinguish them by context, while a foreigner in the first month regularly tells their interlocutor that their boss is their girlfriend. Below is how to avoid that.
How to Say "Girl" in Japanese
| Japanese | Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 彼女 | kanojo · kanojo | She; my girlfriend |
| 女の子 | onna no ko · onna no ko | Girl, young woman |
| 女性 | josei · josei | Woman (polite) |
| 娘 | musume · musume | Daughter; girl (dated) |
| 少女 | shōjo · shōjo | Teenage girl (the "shōjo" from manga titles) |
| 彼氏 | kareshi · kareshi | Boyfriend, young man |
"She" or "My Girlfriend" — How to Tell Them Apart
Possessiveness decides. 彼女は先生です — "she is a teacher." 僕の彼女です — "this is my girlfriend," with 僕の ("my"). If you want to avoid ambiguity, it's better to say あの人 (ano hito) — "that person" — about someone else.
How to Address a Girl
- To a stranger — すみません (sumimasen), without the word "girl": gender-based address is not used in Japanese.
- To an acquaintance — by surname with a suffix: 田中さん. First names are not used without permission.
- A waitress is not called "girl" — only すみません.
- An affectionate address to someone close — by first name with -chan, but that's a sign of intimacy, not politeness.
How to Compliment a Girl
Compliments in Japanese are usually about impression rather than direct appearance: 素敵ですね (suteki desu ne) — "you're wonderful," 綺麗ですね (kirei desu ne) — "you're beautiful." The latter is only appropriate if there's already some closeness between you: it's not customary to say that to a stranger.
Say the Words Out Loud
In "kanojo," the final "o" is long: ka-no-jō.
FAQ
- How do you say "girl" in Japanese?
- 彼女 (kanojo) — girlfriend, 女の子 (onna no ko) — girl or young woman, 女性 (josei) — woman politely.
- Why does 彼女 also mean "she"?
- It's one word with two meanings. Context distinguishes them: 僕の彼女 — "my girlfriend," 彼女は先生です — "she is a teacher."
- How do you address a stranger girl?
- With the word すみません ("excuse me"). Gender- and age-based address is not used in Japanese — neither "girl" nor "woman."
- How to compliment a girl in Japanese?
- 素敵ですね (suteki desu ne) — "you're wonderful," 綺麗ですね (kirei desu ne) — "beautiful." The latter is only appropriate when closeness already exists.
Updated: 2026-07-25