おてんば

おてんば
noun, na-adjective
tomboy
informalpersonality
1. tomboy, spirited girl
A girl who is energetic, active, and behaves in ways traditionally associated with boys. The term is generally affectionate rather than critical.
おてんばな(おんな)()だ。
She's a tomboy.
(いもうと)おてんばで木登(きのぼ)得意(とくい)だ。
My little sister is a tomboy and good at climbing trees.
When I was little, I was a tomboy and played with the boys.

Kanji: Can be written as お転婆(てんば).

Etymology: Said to come from Dutch 'ontembaar' (untamable), brought during the Edo period.

Usage: Can function as a noun or as a na-adjective (おてんばな).

Nuance: Generally used affectionately or neutrally to describe an active, spirited girl. Not usually derogatory.

Related expression: 男勝(おとこまさ)り (a woman as capable as a man, often used for adult women).