1.
princess, young noblewoman
A princess or daughter of noble birth. In historical and fairy-tale contexts, refers to the daughter of a lord, emperor, or other high-ranking figure.
昔話の姫は美しい。
The princesses in old tales are beautiful.
かぐや姫は日本で最も有名な物語の一つだ。
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of the most famous stories in Japan.
城の塔に閉じ込められた姫を勇者が助けに行く。
The hero goes to rescue the princess locked in the castle tower.
2.
small, delicate (as prefix)
When used as a prefix, indicates a smaller or more delicate variety of something, often plants or animals. This usage derives from the association of 姫 with femininity and daintiness.
庭に姫リンゴの木を植えた。
I planted a crab apple tree in the garden.
姫リンゴ literally "princess apple" — a small ornamental apple variety.
姫マツタケは小さくてかわいい。
The small matsutake mushrooms are cute and tiny.
この姫シャラは花が小さくて繊細だ。
This Japanese stewartia has small, delicate flowers.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お姫さま: princess (polite/fairy-tale style)
- お姫さま抱っこ: bridal carry ("princess carry")
- 姫君: princess, noble lady (classical/literary)
AS A PREFIX:
姫〜 indicates a smaller or more delicate version of something:
- 姫リンゴ: crab apple (small apple)
- 姫シャラ: Japanese stewartia (smaller than シャラ)
- 姫百合: star lily (small lily species)
CULTURAL NOTE:
姫 appears in many famous Japanese stories: かぐや姫 (Princess Kaguya), 乙姫 (Princess Otohime from Urashima Taro), and many others. In modern usage, it sometimes appears as slang meaning a pampered or princess-like girl.