未成年
miseinen[mʲise̞ːnẽ̞ɴ]
In Japanese, the English phrase 'minor' (referring to someone below the legal age of majority) is translated as 未成年 (miseinen).
未成年 is used to refer to someone who has not yet reached the legal age of adulthood. It is a standard term used in legal contexts and official documents, but it is also used in everyday conversation.
Meaning: someone below the legal age of majority (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 未成年 literally means 'not yet an adult'. It is composed of the characters 未 (not yet), 成 (become/adult) and 年 (year/age).
How do you pronounce it?
miseinen
Did you know?
- In Japan, the legal age of adulthood was recently lowered from 20 to 18, meaning the usage of 未成年 now applies to a different age group than it did just a few years ago.
- The character 未 in 未成年 is also used in the word 未来 (mirai), meaning 'future', because both imply something that has 'not yet' arrived or happened.
- While 未成年 is the formal term, Japanese youth often use the word ガキ to refer to children or minors in a derogatory or teasing way.
Examples in context
- 彼女はまだ未成年だ。She's still a minor.This sentence is useful for stating that a female subject is still a minor using 未成年.Tatoeba #91466 by bunbuku, translation #1442337 by CK
- トムはまだ未成年だ。Tom is still a minor.This sentence is useful for stating that a male subject is still a minor using 未成年.Tatoeba #8614025 by small_snow, translation #5422660 by CK
- 未成年扱いとは心外だ。Being treated as a minor is irksome.This sentence is useful for expressing irritation at being treated as a minor using 未成年.Tatoeba #10996729 by small_snow, translation #13674624 by terrywallwork
- このイベントは未成年の方も参加できます。This event is open to minors as well.
- あの映画は未成年者には制限があります。That movie has restrictions for minors.
- このゲームは未成年の子供にも人気です。This game is popular among underage children as well.
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are discussing a rule at a movie theater.
- 結衣 Yuiここは未成年は入れないのかな？Koko wa miseinen wa hairenai no kana?I wonder if minors aren't allowed in here?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、未成年はダメみたいだよ。Un, miseinen wa dame mitai da yo.Yeah, it looks like minors aren't allowed.
- 結衣 Yui残念。陽太君、一緒に行きたかったな。Zannen. Yota-kun, issho ni ikitakatta na.That's a shame. Yota, I wanted to go together with you.
- 陽太 Yotaまた今度、行こうね。Mata kondo, ikou ne.Let's go together next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 未成年, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
