女形
Meanings
1
onnagata; male actor in female kabuki roles
Specialist term for a male kabuki actor who specializes in female roles. The reading おやま is a traditional gikun reading used mainly in theatrical contexts.
He is famous as an onnagata in kabuki.
Onnagata can also be written as 女方.
2
female partner; woman in a relationship
Only when written 女方
Used in contexts discussing relationships, often contrasted with 男方 (male partner). Restricted to the kanji spelling 女方.
See also: 男方
He treats his female partner kindly.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が女形を演じるfor someone to play the role of an onnagata
The young actor played an onnagata role for the first time.
- 〈人〉が女形になるfor someone to become an onnagata
After long training, he became an onnagata.
- 〈人〉が女形を務めるfor someone to serve in the role of onnagata
In this performance, Mr. Nakamura serves as the onnagata.