おちびちゃん
ochibichan
The Japanese phrase for "little one" is おちびちゃん (ochibichan).
おちびちゃん is used by adults when addressing or referring to very small children in a playful or endearing way. It describes a young child.
Meaning: young child (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
おちびちゃん is highly informal and carries a very cute, affectionate or sometimes slightly patronizing tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Japanese nouns do not change for plurality, so おちびちゃん can mean both "little one" and "little ones" depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
ochibichan
Did you know?
- The word ちび is used in Japanese pop culture to describe 'chibi' art, a style where characters are drawn with oversized heads and tiny bodies.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime, you might hear characters use おちび as a direct insult to call someone a 'brat' or 'shorty' if they omit the cute suffix ちゃん.
- If you were talking about a pet instead of a child, you could use おちびちゃん to treat the animal like a human member of the family.
Examples in context
- お子さんが可愛いですねYour child is adorable, isn't he/she?
- ちびちゃんが大好きだよI love you, little one.
- 可愛い子だねYou're such an adorable child.
- おちびちゃん、泣かないで。Ochibi-chan, nakanaide.Don't cry, little one.
- おちびちゃんは、もう寝ましたか？Ochibi-chan wa, mou nemashita ka?Has the little one gone to sleep already?
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are looking at a toddler in the park.
- 陽葵 Himariあのおちびちゃん、見て！ano ochibichan, mite!Look at that little one!
- 健太 Kenta本当にかわいいね。hontou ni kawaii ne.They really are cute.
- 陽葵 Himari一生懸命走ってるよ。isshoukenmei hashitteru yo.They're running so hard.
- 健太 Kentaいい運動だね。ii undou da ne.It's good exercise.
