Meaning and Usage
The word 彼女 (かのじょ) primarily means "she" or "her" when referring to a female person. It is also commonly used to mean "girlfriend" in romantic contexts. The meaning depends on context, so pay attention to the situation to understand whether it refers to a female third person or a romantic partner.
Common Collocations
- 彼女は (かのじょは): "she is" — used to describe or introduce a female person.
- 彼女と (かのじょと): "with my girlfriend" — often used when talking about activities with a romantic partner.
- 彼女の意見 (かのじょのいけん): "her opinion" — possessive form to refer to something belonging to or associated with her.
Usage Notes
When using 彼女 to mean "girlfriend," it is usually clear from context, but in formal or ambiguous situations, specifying "恋人" (こいびと) or "ガールフレンド" can avoid confusion. Also, 彼女 as "she" is a polite and neutral way to refer to a female third person, suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 彼女 with 彼 (かれ), which means "he" or "boyfriend." Remember that 彼女 can mean both "she" and "girlfriend," so context is key to avoid misunderstanding.