Japanese Conversation · Level 124
60 words
Japanese word
小僧
Pronunciation
Romajikozō
Meaning
- nounbrat
Example
あの小僧は生意気です。a no ko zō wa nama i ki de su
That brat is cheeky.
More examples
その小僧は、店員にまで文句を言いました。so no ko zō wa ten in ni ma de mon ku o i i ma shi ta
That brat even complained to the store clerk.
Core concept
Presents a boy as young, inexperienced, and cheeky, with the speaker placing him below an older or more senior person.
Common phrases
生意気な小僧nama i ki na ko zō
cheeky brat
Similar words
ガキgaki: A child or young person referred to in a rough and insulting way.
少年shōnen: A male child or teenager described in a neutral, factual way.
若造wakazō: A young man regarded as inexperienced and of little importance by an older speaker.
坊主bōzu: A young boy or male junior addressed in a familiar, sometimes rough way.
Definition in Japanese
年少の男の子を、経験が浅く生意気な者として呼ぶ語。nen shō no otoko no ko o kei ken ga asa ku nama i ki na mono to shi te yo bu go
Word origin
小僧 (kozō) originally meant a young Buddhist novice, from 小 (shō, "small") and 僧 (sō, "Buddhist monk"); its meaning later broadened to a young boy with a belittling tone.
Usage tips
- Unlike the neutral word boy, 小僧 (kozō) often carries the voice of someone looking down on a younger male, which gives it the force of brat in suitable contexts.
Other meanings
- boynoun
Related words
- 小僧っ子kozōkkolittle boynoun