Japanese word

子供

Pronunciation

Romajikodomo

Meaning

  • nounchild

Example

子供が一人います。ko domo ga hito ri i ma su

There is one child.

Illustration for 子供 (child)

More examples

子供が本を読みます。ko domo ga hon o yo mi ma su

A child reads a book.

妹はまだ子供なので、一人で出かけません。imōto wa ma da ko domo na no de hito ri de de ka ke ma se n

My little sister is still a child, so she does not go out alone.

Core concept

It presents a human being as still young or as belonging to a parent as their offspring.

Common phrases

  • 子供の頃ko domo no koro

    as a child

  • 子供向けko domo mu ke

    for children

  • 子供料金ko domo ryō kin

    child fare

Similar words

子ko: A person's child, especially when the parent-child relationship is central.
お子さんokosan: A polite way to refer to someone's child.

Definition in Japanese

大人に対して、年齢が低く成長の途中にある人。また、親から見た自分の子。otona ni tai shi te nen rei ga hiku ku sei chō no to chū ni a ru hito ma ta oya ka ra mi ta ji bun no ko

Word origin

The Japanese noun 子供 (kodomo, "child") is a native formation involving 子 (ko, "child") and the ending ども (domo), but the historical meaning of ども is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Because Japanese has no articles, 子供 (kodomo) can refer to a child or to children, with the intended number understood from context or made clear by a counter.

Opposites

Related words

  • 子供らしさkodomorashisachildlike qualitynoun

Word lists with this word