子豚
kobuta[ko̞bɯ̟ta̠]
The English word "piglet" is translated into Japanese as 子豚 (kobuta). If unsure, use 子豚. Wiktionary also lists 豚児 (tonji).
Meaning: young pig (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 子豚 | kobuta | [ko̞bɯ̟ta̠] (narrow) |
| 豚児 | tonji | [tõ̞ɲ̟d͡ʑi] (narrow) |
子豚 is the standard term for a young pig. It is used in biological contexts to describe the animal and is also the word used in children's stories or when referring to something in a cute context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 子豚 is composed of 子 (child) and 豚 (pig).
Which one should you use?
子豚 (kobuta) is the standard, common way to say "piglet". In contrast, 豚児 (tonji) is an archaic or highly literary term that is not used in everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
kobuta
Did you know?
- In certain classical literature, the term 豚児 (tonji) was not used to mean a literal piglet, but rather served as a self-deprecating way for a person to refer to themselves as a 'lowly son'.
- In the Japanese translation of Winnie the Pooh, the character Piglet is called ピグレット (Piguretto) rather than 子豚, as foreign names are usually transliterated into Katakana.
- If you want to refer to a piglet in a very cute or personified way, you might see it written with the hiragana suffix ちゃん (chan) to become 子豚ちゃん, which treats the animal like a small child.
Examples in context
- 子豚がとても可愛いです。Kobuta ga totemo kawaii desu.The piglet is very cute.
- 農場に新しい子豚が生まれました。Noujou ni atarashii kobuta ga umaremashita.A new piglet was born on the farm.
- 子豚にミルクをあげます。Kobuta ni miruku o agemasu.I will give milk to the piglet.
Example conversation
At a local petting zoo.
- 陽葵 Himariあの子豚、すごく小さいね！Ano kobuta, sugoku chiisai ne!That piglet is so small!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。陽葵、もっと近くで見てもいいよ。Hontou da. Himari, motto chikaku de mite mo ii yo.True. Himari, you can look even closer.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、子豚が走っているよ！Mite, kobuta ga hashitte iru yo!Look, the piglet is running!
- 陽太 Yota元気な子豚だね。Genki na kobuta da ne.It is an energetic piglet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piglet” translations and entries 子豚, 豚児, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
