Ways To Say ‘Woman’ in Japanese

In the Japanese language, there are several different words to refer to a woman, but depending on the word you choose, the meaning can be worlds different. On an evening out, an acquaintance jokingly recalled an anecdote in which staff addressed her as . The word, she said as she impatiently gulped her , is incorrect—she’s single (and loves it), is focused on her career and never intends to build a family.

But apparently, the simple act of buying carrots automatically placed her in the category of a married woman. While we brushed off the conversation, quick to focus on more important things ( ), the topic kept coming around—making us ponder the etymology behind the ways to say “woman” in Japanese. ‘s means .



However, if ies I The kanji character for okusama means “not just interior, but the depths far within a building, or T and married women with a.