Japanese Conversation · Level 66
75 words
Japanese word
幼児
Pronunciation
Romajiyōji
Meaning
- nounyoung child
Example
幼児は歩く練習をしています。yō ji wa aru ku ren shū o shi te i ma su
The young child is learning to walk.
More examples
幼児向けの絵本を選びます。yō ji mu ke no e hon o era bi ma su
I choose picture books for young children.
Core concept
Describes a child who is still in the early stage of physical and mental development.
Common phrases
幼児向けyō ji mu ke
for young children
幼児教育yō ji kyō iku
early childhood education
幼児の発達yō ji no hat tatsu
young children's development
Similar words
幼子osanago: A young child referred to in a warm, gentle, or literary way.
子どもkodomo: A child in the period before adulthood, with no specific age implied.
小児shōni: A child classified for medical or formal purposes.
Definition in Japanese
まだ年齢が低く、歩行や言語などの発達の途中にある子ども。ma da nen rei ga hiku ku ho kō ya gen go na do no hat tatsu no to chū ni a ru ko do mo
Word origin
幼児 (yōji) combines 幼 (yō, "young") and 児 (ji, "child"), forming a Sino-Japanese term for a young child.
Usage tips
- In Japanese childcare and education, 幼児 (yōji) usually refers to preschool-aged children, so it is broader than English "toddler", which often suggests a child who is just learning to walk.