Japanese word

少年

Pronunciation

Romajishōnen

Meaning

  • nounboy

Example

少年が本を読んでいます。shō nen ga hon o yo n de i ma su

The boy is reading a book.

Illustration for 少年 (boy)

More examples

駅で少年に道を教えました。eki de shō nen ni michi o oshi e ma shi ta

I showed a boy the way at the station.

Core concept

Refers to a young male person who is still in the stage of life before adulthood.

Common phrases

  • 少年時代shō nen ji dai

    boyhood

  • 少年少女shō nen shō jo

    boys and girls

  • 少年のころshō nen no ko ro

    as a boy

Similar words

男の子otokonoko: A natural everyday term for a boy or young male child.
男児danji: A formal word for a male child or young adolescent.
坊やbōya: A friendly term for a young boy used in speech or when addressing him.

Definition in Japanese

成人に達していない若い男子。sei jin ni tas shi te i na i waka i dan shi

Word origin

少年 (shōnen) is a Sino-Japanese word made from 少 (shō, "young") and 年 (nen, "year"), literally pointing to someone in young years.

Usage tips

  • 少年 (shōnen) is common in formal descriptions, while 男の子 (otoko no ko) is more natural for many simple, casual conversations about a boy.

Related words

  • 少年期shōnenkiboyhoodnoun
  • 少年らしいshōnenrashiiboyishi-adjective

Word lists with this word