Japanese word

息子

Pronunciation

Romajimusuko

Meaning

  • nounson

Example

私には息子がいます。watashi ni wa musuko ga i ma su

I have a son.

Illustration for 息子 (son)

More examples

わたしには息子がいます。wa ta shi ni wa musuko ga i ma su

I have a son.

息子は今年十歳です。musuko wa kotoshi jū sai de su

My son is ten years old this year.

Core concept

Describes a male offspring as part of a parent's family, including an adult male child.

Common phrases

  • 息子がいるmusuko ga i ru

    have a son

  • 息子と話すmusuko to hana su

    talk with one's son

Similar words

息子さんmusukosan: A polite way to refer to another person's son.

Definition in Japanese

親にとっての、男性の子ども。oya ni to tte no dan sei no ko do mo

Word origin

The native Japanese word 息子 (musuko) is traditionally connected with 生す (musu, "to grow") and 子 (ko, "child"), while 息子 is the established kanji form.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English, Japanese commonly changes 息子 (musuko) to 息子さん (musukosan) when referring respectfully to another person's son.

Opposites

Word lists with this word