Japanese Conversation · Level 49
90 words
Japanese word
成人
Pronunciation
Romajiseijin
Meaning
- nounadult
Example
成人したら、自分で投票できます。sei jin shi ta ra ji bun de tō hyō de ki ma su
After becoming an adult, you can vote.
More examples
日本では、十八歳から成人として扱われます。nihon de wa jū hachi sai ka ra sei jin to shi te atsuka wa re ma su
In Japan, people are treated as adults from the age of eighteen.
Core concept
Refers to the stage of life in which a person is no longer a child and is treated as an independent member of society.
Common phrases
成人式sei jin shiki
coming-of-age ceremony
成人の日sei jin no hi
Coming-of-Age Day
Similar words
大人otona: A mature person who is no longer considered a child in everyday life.
Definition in Japanese
成長して子どもではなくなり、独立した人として扱われる人。sei chō shi te ko do mo de wa na ku na ri doku ritsu shi ta hito to shi te atsuka wa re ru hito
Word origin
The word 成人 (seijin) combines 成 (sei, "become") with 人 (jin, "person") and refers to becoming a full member of society.
Usage tips
- 成人 (seijin) is common in expressions about public rules and ceremonies, while 大人 (otona) is more common when simply talking about an adult.
Other meanings
- grown-upnoun
Opposites
- 未成年miseinenminornoun