Japanese Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Japanese word
小児
Pronunciation
Romajishōni
Meaning
- nounchild
Example
この薬は小児には使えません。ko no kusuri wa shō ni ni wa tsuka e ma se n
This medicine cannot be used for children.
More examples
この講座では、小児の発達について学びます。ko no kō za de wa shō ni no hat tatsu ni tsu i te mana bi ma su
In this course, you will learn about child development.
Core concept
Describes a child as a young person considered by age in an official or healthcare setting.
Common phrases
小児の発達shō ni no hat tatsu
child development
小児の病気shō ni no byō ki
childhood illness
小児の健康shō ni no ken kō
children's health
Similar words
子どもkodomo: A general term for a young person that is common in everyday conversation.
児童jidō: A child referred to in formal language or within an organized age group.
Definition in Japanese
幼い子どもを、年齢に着目して改まっていう語。osana i ko do mo o nen rei ni chaku moku shi te arata ma tte i u go
Word origin
The compound 小児 (shōni) uses the Sino-Japanese readings of 小 (shō, "small") and 児 (ni, "child"), giving the sense of a small or young child.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 子ども (kodomo) is more natural than 小児 (shōni), while 小児 appears in formal age-based categories.