Japanese Conversation · Level 79
76 words
Japanese word
一人っ子
Pronunciation
Romajihitorikko
Meaning
- nounonly child
Example
私は一人っ子です。watashi wa hito ri kko de su
I am an only child.
More examples
彼は一人っ子なので、家族の期待を強く感じています。kare wa hito ri kko na no de ka zoku no ki tai o tsuyo ku kan ji te i ma su
Because he is an only child, he feels strong family expectations.
Core concept
Centers on being the sole child born to one's parents, without siblings in the family.
Common phrases
一人っ子の悩みhito ri kko no naya mi
the concerns of an only child
一人っ子同士hito ri kko dō shi
between only children
Definition in Japanese
同じ親から生まれた子が自分一人である子。ona ji oya ka ra u ma re ta ko ga ji bun hito ri de a ru ko
Word origin
The native Japanese compound 一人っ子 (hitorikko) joins 一人 (hitori, "one person") with 子 (ko, "child"), which becomes っ子 (kko) after the first element.
Usage tips
- The phrase only child describes a person's family position, so it can refer to adults as well as children.