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男の子
otoko no ko
boy
彼は男の子が好きです。
He likes boys.
general
A young male child or boy, typically referring to a child under the age of 18.
男の子は公園で遊んでいます。
The boy is playing in the park.
私の息子は元気な男の子です。
My son is a lively boy.
This term is commonly used to refer to young boys in everyday conversation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender-Specific Usage
While '男の子' refers to boys, '女の子' (onna no ko) refers to girls. Both terms are commonly used in everyday conversation.
Gold Rule
Avoid Gender Stereotypes
When referring to children, it's important to avoid reinforcing gender stereotypes. Use '子供' (kodomo) for a gender-neutral term.
Word Origin
Composed of '男' (otoko, meaning 'man') and 'の子' (no ko, meaning 'child'), literally 'child of a man'.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in a neutral or affectionate way to refer to young boys. It can also be used to describe someone's behavior as boyish.
Word Breakdown
男
man
rootの
possessive particle
particle子
child
root和英辞典