女朋友

• Pinyin: nǚ péng you
• Hanzi breakdown: 女 = pictograph of a woman; 朋 = two 月 side by side, representing companionship; 友 = two hands clasped in friendship

Meaning

Girlfriend. A female romantic partner.

Specifically refers to a female romantic partner, not just a female friend. To say 'female friend' without romantic connotation, Chinese speakers typically use 女性朋友 or add context. Very commonly used in everyday conversation about relationships.

Examples

1. 他有女朋友了。 He has a girlfriend now.
2. 我想给女朋友买花。 I want to buy flowers for my girlfriend.
3. 你的女朋友是哪里人？ Where is your girlfriend from?

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 他的女朋友很漂亮。(His girlfriend is very pretty.)
• 你有没有女朋友？(Do you have a girlfriend?)

Don't Say

• 她是我的女的朋友。(Awkward — say 女朋友 for girlfriend or 女性朋友 for a platonic female friend, don't insert 的)

Origin & History

A compound of 女 (female) and 朋友 (friend), literally 'female friend' but carrying a romantic connotation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal