長女（ちょうじょ、choujo）
- eldest daughter

The Japanese word 長女 (ちょうじょ) means "eldest daughter" or "firstborn daughter". It refers to the first female child born to a family. It implies a certain position within the family structure, often associated with responsibilities and expectations. The word emphasizes the order of birth within a family.

⚫︎彼女は長女です。 Translation: She is the eldest daughter. ⚫︎私の長女は今年大学に入学しました。 Translation: My eldest daughter entered university this year. ⚫︎長女として、妹たちの面倒を見ています。 Translation: As the eldest daughter, I take care of my younger sisters.

This word is used to identify a person's birth order within their family, specifically the position of the first-born female child. It is commonly used in introductions, when talking about family relationships, or in situations where family roles are relevant. You can use this word when talking about your own family, or someone else's.

長女 is written using the kanji 長 (ちょう - long, elder) and 女 (じょ - woman, daughter). The reading is ちょうじょ (choujo) using hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word, and the okurigana is fixed.

There are no perfect synonyms, but here are some related terms: ⚫︎ 一人娘 (ひとりむすめ) - only daughter. ⚫︎ 第一子 (だいいっし) - first child (can be male or female, but 長女 specifically denotes a female).

⚫︎ 長男 (ちょうなん) - eldest son. ⚫︎ 次女 (じじょ) - second daughter. ⚫︎ 末っ子 (すえっこ) - youngest child (can be male or female).

田中さんの長女はとても責任感が強いです。 ・Translation: Ms. Tanaka's eldest daughter is very responsible. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the eldest daughter of Ms. Tanaka, highlighting her responsible nature.

彼は長女と結婚しました。 ・Translation: He married an eldest daughter. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the person mentioned is married to a woman who is the eldest daughter in her family.

The word 長女 is formed from two kanji: 長 which means "long" or "eldest", and 女 which means "woman" or "daughter". The combination of these kanji directly conveys the meaning of "eldest daughter." The origin is tied to the traditional importance placed on birth order within Japanese family structures.