The equivalent of 子
for women is also 子
.
【清·張自烈·正字通】子部:女子亦稱子
Examples from Old Chinese texts:
【孟子·告子下】逾東家牆而摟其處子,則得妻,不摟,則不得妻,則將摟之乎?
- The Works of Mencius: "Breaking into your landlord's house and harass the virgin girl gets you a wife; refrain from harassing and you don't get a wife. Does that mean you would do it?"
【詩經·國風·周南·桃夭】桃之夭夭,灼灼其華;之子于歸,宜其室家!
- The Classic of Poetry: "Forests are green and flowers are red; a girl is marrying, and she'll make her new family happy."
In ancient Chinese, 女
either meant "unmarried woman" or "you". The character for the latter usage became 汝
, but is still printed as 女
in many modern publications of ancient works.