姑娘

• Pinyin: gū niang
• Hanzi breakdown: 姑 = 女 (woman) + 古 (ancient, phonetic); 娘 = 女 (woman) + 良 (good, phonetic)

Meaning

Girl; young woman. A common and friendly way to refer to a young female.

A warm, colloquial term for a girl or young woman. Widely used in northern China and in literature. Can be used to address or refer to someone. In some dialects and older usage, it can also mean 'daughter.' Often carries a tone of fondness or admiration.

Examples

1. 那个姑娘长得很漂亮。 That girl is very pretty.
2. 这位姑娘在这里工作多久了？ How long has this young woman been working here?
3. 村子里的姑娘们都很热情。 The girls in the village are all very warm and friendly.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, colloquial, literary

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 这个姑娘真能干。(This girl is really capable.)
• 姑娘，请问图书馆怎么走？(Miss, could you tell me how to get to the library?)

Don't Say

• 那位六十岁的姑娘很健康。(Don't use 姑娘 for an elderly woman — it refers to young women. Say 那位六十岁的女士很健康.)

Origin & History

Compound of 姑 (aunt/girl) and 娘 (mother/young woman). Both characters carry the 女 (woman) radical, and together they form a warm term for a young female.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal