Japanese word

幼稚

Pronunciation

Romajiyōchi

Meaning

  • na-adjectivechildish

Example

その考えは幼稚なものです。so no kanga e wa yō chi na mo no de su

That idea is childish.

Illustration for 幼稚 (childish)

More examples

その発言は少し幼稚な感じがします。so no hatsu gen wa suko shi yō chi na kan ji ga shi ma su

That remark seems a little childish.

Core concept

Describes something as marked by the limited judgment or lack of sophistication associated with a young child.

Common phrases

  • 幼稚な考えyō chi na kanga e

    a childish idea

  • 幼稚な態度yō chi na tai do

    a childish attitude

  • 幼稚な発言yō chi na hatsu gen

    a childish remark

Similar words

未熟mijuku: Describes a person, idea, or action as lacking experience, skill, or sound judgment.
未成熟miseijuku: Describes something as still lacking full development in ability, judgment, or structure.
稚拙chisetsu: Describes work, expression, or behavior as crude because it lacks skill or refinement.

Definition in Japanese

考え方や振る舞いなどが、年齢に比べて未熟で分別に欠けるさま。kanga e kata ya fu ru ma i na do ga nen rei ni kura be te mi juku de bun betsu ni ka ke ru sa ma

Word origin

幼 (yō, "young") and 稚 (chi, "immature") form the Sino-Japanese compound 幼稚 (yōchi), meaning childish or immature.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese word 幼稚 (yōchi) usually sounds critical, while English childlike can be positive, so childish is often the closer translation.

Opposites

  • 大人っぽいotonappoimaturei-adjective
  • 大人らしいotonarashiiadultlikei-adjective

Related words

  • 幼稚さyōchisachildishnessnoun
  • 幼稚性yōchiseichildishnessnoun

Word lists with this word