女 means “woman”

おんな · onna

Also: female

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): おんな, め
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ジョ, ニョ, ニョウ

JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 1 · 3 strokes

The story

A graceful figure: this ancient kanji was drawn from the image of a woman in a flowing garment.

Used in countless words; combined with 子 means "daughter"

Where it comes from

Pictographic (象形文字): A person kneeling with hands crossed.

The ancient form depicted a person in a graceful kneeling posture with hands crossed, a posture of elegance in ancient Chinese culture. The modern character preserves the crossing strokes that suggest this refined pose.

To remember it: The crossing strokes form a figure in an elegant seated position.

Its parts

女 Woman · Entire character

A pictograph of a person kneeling gracefully: woman

Words with 女

女子 (じょし, joshi): girl / young woman
男女 (だんじょ, danjo): men and women
子女 (しじょ, shijo): sons and daughters
女人 (にょにん, nyonin): woman (formal)
少女 (しょうじょ, shoujo): girl

Example sentences

あの女の人は先生です。 That woman is a teacher.
女の子が歌っています。 The girl is singing.

Kanji that look like 女

安 (cheap / peaceful): 安 puts 女 under a roof: a woman safe at home = peace
好 (like / good): 好 combines 女 + 子: a woman with child = goodness

More from People & Life

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