公 女(こうじょ)

こうじょ

noun

princess; duke's daughter; noblewoman

1. princess; duke's daughter; noblewoman

The daughter of a prince, duke, or other high-ranking nobleman. Used primarily in European historical and literary contexts when translated into Japanese.

公女(こうじょ)は城(しろ)で育(そだ)った。

The princess grew up in a castle.

物語(ものがたり)の主人公(しゅじんこう)はある国(くに)の公女(こうじょ)だった。

The protagonist of the story was a princess of a certain country.

歴史小説(れきししょうせつ)では公女(こうじょ)たちの政略結婚(せいりゃくけっこん)がよく描(えが)かれる。

In historical novels, political marriages of princesses are often depicted.

Composed of 公(こう) (duke, public, noble) and 女(じょ) (woman, daughter). Primarily used as a translation equivalent for European titles like "princess" or "duke's daughter" in historical and literary contexts. Not used for Japanese imperial princesses, who are called 皇女(こうじょ) (same pronunciation, different first kanji).

Similar words

皇女(こうじょ) — imperial princess (daughter of an emperor; same reading, different kanji)
王女(おうじょ) — princess (daughter of a king)
姫(ひめ) — princess, young lady (broader, more common in daily speech and stories)
令嬢(れいじょう) — young lady of good family (not specifically noble)

Common collocations

公女(こうじょ)の身分(みぶん) — the status of a princess
公女(こうじょ)として育(そだ)つ — to be raised as a princess

Related Words

Homophone: 皇女(こうじょ) (imperial princess)

Compare: 王女(おうじょ) (princess)

Compare: 姫(ひめ) (princess, young lady)

Compare: 令嬢(れいじょう) (young lady of good family)

general

Added 2026.4.30 20:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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