子供
kodomo[ko̞do̞mo̞]
The English word 'kid' can be translated into Japanese as 子供 (kodomo). If unsure, use 子供. Wiktionary also lists 子 (ko).
Meaning: child (colloq.) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 子供 | kodomo | [ko̞do̞mo̞] (narrow) |
| 子 | ko | [ko̞] (narrow) |
The term refers to a child. You can also use the phrase いい子 (ii ko) to praise a child for behaving well, similar to saying 'be a good boy/girl'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 子 (ko) literally means child or offspring.
Which one should you use?
子供 (kodomo) is the standard and more complete noun for 'child', whereas 子 (ko) is used as 'kid' in specific contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kodomo
Did you know?
- The character 子 (ko) has a reading that is thought to be a contraction of the word for 'mouse' or 'rat', 鼠 (nezumi).
- The word for 'child' 子 is linked to the word for 'silkworm', 蚕 (ko), through a shared linguistic root.
- In certain formal, Chinese-derived terms, the character 子 functions as a grammatical suffix that turns verbs into nouns, rather than meaning 'child'.
Examples in context
- トムは賢い子だ。Tom is a smart kid.This sentence uses the form 子 to describe someone as a smart kid.Tatoeba #2242018 by bunbuku, translation #1868236 by CK
- いい子にしなさい。Be a good kid.This sentence uses the form 子 to instruct someone to be a good kid.Tatoeba #10510695 by small_snow, translation #10522112 by DJ_Saidez
- うちの子どこかな？Where's my kid?This sentence uses the form 子 to ask about the location of one's kid.Tatoeba #11481957 by small_snow, translation #11481935 by shekitten
- 小児科は幼児向けの医療を提供しています。The pediatrics department provides healthcare for young children.
- うちの子どもは元気に学校に通っています。My kid is happily going to school.
- あいつはまだガキだから、注意しなきゃ。He's still a kid, so we need to be careful.
- 130 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about their childhood.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは子供の時、何が好きでしたか？Kenta-san wa kodomo no toki, nani ga suki deshita ka?Kenta, what did you like when you were a kid?
- 健太 Kenta子供の頃は、外で遊ぶのが大好きでした。Kodomo no koro wa, soto de asobu no ga daisuki deshita.I loved playing outside as a kid.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。私は本ばかり読んでいました。Ii desu ne. Watashi wa hon bakari yonde imashita.That's nice. I just read books.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは静かな子供だったんですね。Yui-san wa shizuka na kodomo datta n desu ne.Yui, you must have been a quiet kid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kid” translations and entries 子供, 子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 子, 子供, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
