1.
"girl power"; a woman's collection of feminine skills and charm (cooking, fashion sense, grooming, thoughtfulness, etc.)
A popular buzzword that arose in the 2000s and remains widely used. It refers to the traditionally "feminine" skills and qualities a woman (or anyone) is seen to possess — polished appearance, stylish clothes, cooking, manners, attentiveness, and attention to detail. Often used half-jokingly by women about themselves or each other.
Compound of 女子 (girl, young woman) and 〜力 (strength, ability). Popularized around 2009 and closely associated with women's magazines and social media. The tone is usually light and playful; it is often paired with evaluation verbs to celebrate small feminine accomplishments. Occasionally the word is applied ironically to men who display these skills. Because the category is stereotyped, some speakers also criticize it, so context matters.
Common collocations
- 女子力が高い: to have high "girl power"
- 女子力が低い: to have low "girl power"
- 女子力アップ: boosting one's "girl power"
- 女子力を上げる: to raise one's "girl power"
- 女子力向上委員会: a (humorous) "girl power improvement committee"
Similar words
- 男子力: "boy power" — a later-coined counterpart referring to stereotypically masculine appeal and skills
- 人間力: human skills — broader personal qualities like empathy and leadership
- 家事力: household skills — specifically cooking, cleaning, and home management
- 母性: maternal nature — overlaps partially but is deeper and less playful
Cultural note
The word reflects longstanding Japanese gender stereotypes, but its most frequent use today is lighthearted self-praise or compliments among friends, not a serious measure of a person's worth.
Related Words
Compare:
母性 (maternal nature)