Meaning and Usage
"女の子" (おんなのこ) means "girl" and refers to a female child or young female person. It is a very common and basic noun used in everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "女の子" when talking about children, describing someone's gender, or referring to young females in general. It can be used in casual and polite contexts.
Collocations and Patterns
- 女の子が好き (likes girls) — used when expressing preferences.
- 小さな女の子 (little girl) — to describe age or size.
- 女の子の服 (girl's clothes) — to specify belongings or characteristics.
Usage Notes
"女の子" specifically refers to girls, typically children or teenagers. For adult women, "女性" (じょせい) or "女の人" (おんなのひと) is more appropriate. Avoid confusing "女の子" with "女の人" which means "woman".
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes use "女の子" to refer to adult women, which sounds childish or inappropriate. Use "女性" or "女の人" for adults to sound natural.