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)
general
Added 2026.4.30 20:34
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