Posted inQuestion about Japan
What do Japanese call their girlfriends?
This article explores the different terms used to refer to a girlfriend in Japan, how Japanese people show affection for their girlfriends, and the cultural differences between dating in Japan and Western countries. The most common term for a girlfriend in Japan is "kanojo", which literally translates as "she". Other terms include koibito ("lover"/"darling"), hime ("princess"/"girl") and tomodachi ("friend"). Generally speaking, Japanese people tend to show affection through small gestures such as gifts or dates rather than physical contact. Cultural differences between dating in Japan versus Western countries include slower progression into committed relationships, less importance placed on physical intimacy and traditional gender roles.