女(おんな)の子(こ)

女(おんな)の子(こ) refers to a female child or young woman. The age range is flexible, from toddlers to young adults in casual usage.

RELATED TERMS:

• 女(おんな)の子(こ): girl (casual, everyday)
• 男(おとこ)の子(こ): boy
• 子供(こども): child/children
• 少女(しょうじょ): girl (literary, often for teenagers)
• 女子(じょし): girl/female (in compounds, schools, sports)

USAGE:
女(おんな)の子(こ) is the standard everyday word. It can refer to young women casually, while 女性(じょせい) is more appropriate in formal contexts. In compounds like 女子(じょし)トイレ (women's restroom), 女子 is used instead.

PRONUNCIATION:
The reading is おんなのこ, not *おんなのご.