tjej

Etymology

Attested since 1851 according to Svenska Akademiens ordbok. From Traveller Norwegian Romani kjei (“girl; fiancée”) of Romani čai (“girl; woman; wife”), a feminine form of čavo (“boy”). Derived from the root found in the Sauraseni Prakrit [script needed] (chāva), corresponding to Pali chāpa (“the young of an animal”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɕɛj/
• Rhymes: -ɛj

Noun

tjej c

1. (colloquial) Young girl or woman; gal.

   Några tjejer från gymnasiet gick runt i affären.

   Some girls from the local high school were browsing in the store.

2. (colloquial) Female person regardless of age.

   Det var bara vi tjejer i 50-årsåldern där.

   It was only us gals in our 50s there.

3. (colloquial) Girlfriend.

   Imorgon ska mina kompisar få träffa min nya tjej.

   Tomorrow my friends are going to meet my new girlfriend.