おてんば

お

て

ん

ば

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun, na-adjective

tomboy

usually written using kana alone

Describes a girl or young woman who is lively, active, and enjoys rough or boyish activities. Often used affectionately or with mild exasperation.

彼かの女じょは小ちいさい頃ころからおてんばで、よく木きに登のぼっていた。
She's been a tomboy since she was little, and often climbed trees.
うちの娘むすめはおてんばすぎて、スカートをすぐ破やぶいてしまう。
My daughter is such a tomboy that she tears her skirts right away.

Kanji

転revolve, turn around, change
婆old woman, grandma, wet nurse
御honorable, manipulate, govern
於at, in, on

Related words

やんちゃ
やんちゃ is used for both boys and girls and emphasizes mischievous, naughty behavior, while おてんば is specifically for girls and focuses on boyish, active traits.
活かっ発ぱつ
活発 is a more formal, gender-neutral adjective meaning 'active' or 'lively', without the boyish connotation of おてんば.

Written forms

おてんばUsage59%
Usually written in kana. The kanji forms お転婆, 御転婆, and 於転婆 are rare and not recommended for learners.
お転てん婆ばUsage39%
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.
御お転てん婆ばUsage2%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.
於お転てん婆ば
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.

Etymology

The origin is disputed. A frequently proposed source is Dutch ontembaar “untamable,” though the historical evidence is inconclusive; the spelling 転婆 is ateji.