女の子
おんなのこ · onnanoko · JLPT N5 · expression
girl
👧 女の子 = woman (女 onna) + の (of) + child (子 ko): a woman-child, a girl
Three parts: 女 (onna, woman/female), the linking particle の (of), and 子 (ko, child). Literally female child. Swap the first part for 男 (otoko, male) and you get 男の子 (otokonoko), boy.
女 — pictograph of a kneeling woman
女 is a pictograph originating in oracle bone script, depicting a person kneeling with arms crossed in front, a posture associated with women in ancient China. Over time the form was simplified and squared off into the modern character. Its core meaning of 'woman' or 'female' has remained stable for over three thousand years.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.