子供

kodomo

child

子供は公園で遊んでいます

The child is playing in the park

general

A young human being, typically below the age of adulthood

子供は学校に行きます

The child goes to school

In Japanese, '子供' can refer to children in general or one's own children. It is a neutral term that doesn't specify gender.

Collocations

子供の頃when I was a child子供向けfor children子供の日Children's Day

Synonyms

幼児少年少女

Antonyms

大人成人

Related Phrases

子供の頃phrase

when I was a child

子供向けphrase

for children

子供の日phrase

Children's Day

Pro Tip

Gender-neutral term

'子供' is a gender-neutral term. If you want to specify gender, use '少年' (boy) or '少女' (girl).

Gold Rule

Plural form

The plural form of '子供' is '子供たち' (kodomotachi).

Word Origin

The kanji '子' means 'child' and '供' means 'to accompany' or 'to serve'. Together, they originally referred to a child who accompanies or serves someone, but the modern meaning is simply 'child'.

Usage Notes

While '子供' is the most common word for 'child', '子' alone can also mean 'child' in certain contexts, such as '子供の頃' (when I was a child).

Word Breakdown

子

child

root

供

to accompany or serve

root

和英辞典

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