一人っ子
hitorikko[çito̞ɾʲik̚ko̞]
In Japanese, 'only child' is expressed as 一人っ子 (hitorikko).
The phrase refers to a person who has no brothers or sisters.
Which one should you use?
While 一人っ子 is a common way to refer to an only child, 独り子 is also used and is suitable for both males and females regardless of their age. Additionally, if you are specifically referring to a female only child, the informal expression 一人っ娘 can be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
一人っ子 is a noun and does not change its form based on whether it is the subject or object of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
hitorikko
Did you know?
- When discussing birth order, Japanese uses the term 一人っ子 as a category, but if a child becomes an only child because siblings passed away, different phrasing is often used to avoid the lighthearted nuance of 一人っ子.
- In Japanese culture, the term 一人っ子 is often associated with the 'only child syndrome' known as 一人っ子症候群. This refers to a stereotype that only children are more spoiled or lack social skills compared to those with siblings.
- While 一人っ子 is the standard term, the word 独り can imply a sense of loneliness or being solitary. Using 独り子 instead of 一人っ子 can sometimes shift the nuance from a simple family fact to a feeling of isolation.
Examples in context
- お前も一人っ子？Are you an only child, too?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are also an only child using 一人っ子.Tatoeba #11900817 by small_snow, translation #11900728 by CK
- 私一人っ子がよかった。I wish I were an only child.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish to have been an only child using 一人っ子.Tatoeba #3016471 by tommy_san, translation #3054089 by WestofEden
- あなたのお母さんって、一人っ子だった？Was your mother an only child?This sentence is useful for asking if someone's mother was an only child using 一人っ子.Tatoeba #8697830 by small_snow, translation #6713299 by CK
- 私は独り子です。I am an only child.
- 彼は一人っ子なんだよ。He is an only child.
- あの子は一人っ娘だから、可愛がってあげてね。She's an only child, so please treat her with care.
- お父さんの一人っ子ですか？Are you your father's only child?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about their families.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵は兄弟がいるの？Himari wa kyoudai ga iru no?Himari, do you have any siblings?
- 陽葵 Himariううん、私は一人っ子だよ。Uun, watashi wa hitorikko dayo.No, I'm an only child.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんだ。いいなあ。Sou nanda. Ii naa.I see. That's nice.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は兄弟がたくさんいるの？Youta wa kyoudai ga takusan iru no?Do you have a lot of siblings, Youta?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 一人っ子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
