少女

• Reading: しょうじょ
• Romaji: shoujo
• Kanji breakdown: 少 (shou) — few, little, young; 女 (jo) — woman, female
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.dʑo/

Meaning

Young girl; maiden. A girl roughly between childhood and young adulthood.

A noun referring to a girl typically between the ages of about 7 and 17. More literary and formal than 女の子. Commonly appears in literature, manga genres (少女漫画 = shoujo manga), and formal descriptions. Contrasts with 少年 (boy/youth). Often carries a slightly literary or romantic nuance.

Examples

1. 公園で少女が楽しそうに遊んでいた。 A young girl was playing happily in the park.
2. 少女漫画を読むのが好きだ。 I like reading shoujo manga.
3. あの少女は毎朝ここを通る。 That girl passes through here every morning.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, manga, formal descriptions

Tone: literary

Origin & History

Composed of 少 (few, little, young) and 女 (woman, female). The combination specifies a young or small female, i.e., a girl.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal