smaller waves; lesser waves
Refers to relatively small or gentle waves, often contrasted with larger waves (男波). Used in poetic or descriptive contexts about the sea.
Small waves gently lap against the sandy beach.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant kanji form using 浪; less common.
Compound of 女 (me, 'woman') and 波 (nami, 'wave'), literally 'woman wave', implying gentler or smaller waves. The exact origin of this metaphorical usage is uncertain.