嬢じょうちゃん

Meanings

Familiar and somewhat affectionate term for a young girl or young lady, often used by older people or in a friendly, informal context. The ちゃん suffix softens the word 嬢 (じょう), which on its own can mean 'young woman' or 'miss'.

近きん所じょの嬢じょうちゃんがいつも元げん気きに挨あい拶さつしてくれる。
The young girl in the neighborhood always greets me cheerfully.
おじいさんは店みせに来きた嬢じょうちゃんに飴あめをあげた。
The old man gave a candy to the young lady who came to the shop.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉を嬢じょうちゃんと呼よぶto call someone 'young lady/girl'
店てん員いんは私わたしを嬢じょうちゃんと呼よんだ。
The shop clerk called me 'young lady'.

Kanji

嬢lass, girl, Miss

Related words

嬢じょうN1
嬢 is the plain, more formal noun for 'young woman' or 'daughter', while 嬢ちゃん adds ちゃん to sound affectionate and casual.
女おんなの子こN5
女の子 is the plain, neutral word for 'girl', whereas 嬢ちゃん carries a warmer, more familiar tone often used when addressing or referring to someone's daughter.
少しょう女じょN3
少女 is a more literary or formal term for 'young girl', while 嬢ちゃん is a casual, affectionate way of referring to or addressing one.

Politeness

お嬢じょうさんpolite 丁寧語N4
お嬢さん is the polite, respectful way to refer to someone's daughter or a young lady, while 嬢ちゃん is a more casual, affectionate version often used with children.

Counted with

人にん
The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
名めいN2
A somewhat formal counter used for counting people, including 嬢ちゃん (young girls).

Built from

嬢じょう+ちゃん

Etymology

Derived from 嬢 (じょう, 'young woman') with the diminutive suffix ちゃん, which expresses familiarity or affection. The exact historical origin of 嬢 is uncertain, but it has been used in Japanese to refer to unmarried women or daughters.