男女兼用

• Reading: だんじょけんよう
• Romaji: danjokenyou
• Kanji breakdown: 男 (dan) — male; 女 (jo) — female; 兼 (ken) — combine, also serve as; 用 (yō) — use
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.dʑo.keɴ.joː/

Meaning

Unisex; for use by both men and women. Describes products, facilities, or items shared across genders.

A noun functioning as a no-adjective, describing items or spaces designed for both men and women. Commonly seen on product labels, in shops, and for facilities. 男女兼用トイレ (unisex toilet), 男女兼用の香水 (unisex perfume). Composed of 男女 (men and women) + 兼用 (shared use/dual purpose). A practical, matter-of-fact term with no political connotation.

Examples

1. この香水は男女兼用なので誰でも使えます。 This perfume is unisex, so anyone can use it.
2. 駅の新しいトイレは男女兼用になっている。 The new restroom at the station is unisex.
3. 男女兼用のTシャツはサイズ選びが難しい。 It's hard to choose the right size for a unisex T-shirt.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, products, facilities, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 男 (dan, male) + 女 (jo, female) + 兼 (ken, combine/serve double duty) + 用 (yō, use). Literally 'male-female combined use,' a transparent compound describing shared utility.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal