How to Say "Since I Was a Child" in Japanese

子供の頃から

kodomo no koro kara

The phrase "since I was a child" in Japanese is 子供の頃から (kodomo no koro kara).

Used to describe something that has been true or happening from the time a person was young.

What does it mean word for word?

This phrase is composed of kodomo (child), the particle no (possessive), koro (time or period) and kara (from or since).

kodomo no koro kara

Japanese allows for the omission of the subject, so 子供の頃から can refer to the speaker or someone else depending on the context. An English speaker must specify 'since I' or 'since he', but a Japanese speaker rarely does.
If a speaker wants to emphasize that they have been doing something since they were a very small child, they might use 幼い頃から osanai koro kara. The word 幼い specifically evokes the image of a toddler or an infant.
While 子供 (kodomo) means 'child', if you are talking about your own childhood specifically, you might use the more nostalgic term 幼少期 (youshouki) in formal writing.

子供の頃から冒険が好きだった。
I have been fond of adventure since I was a child.
This sentence is useful for expressing a long-standing interest in adventure using 子供の頃から.
Tatoeba #81878 by small_snow, translation #257975 by slyfin
子供の頃から音楽に興味がありました。
I have been interested in music since I was a child.
少年時代からサッカーをしてきました。
I have been playing soccer since my youth.
子供の頃からゲームが好きだった。
I've liked video games since I was a child.
子供の時からずっと夢は医者だったんだ。
My dream has been to become a doctor since I was a child.
子供の頃から、この町に住んでいます。
kodomo no koro kara, kono machi ni sunde imasu.
I have lived in this town since I was a child.
子供の頃から、ピアノを練習しています。
kodomo no koro kara, piano o renshuu shite imasu.
I have been practicing the piano since I was a child.

Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

大翔さんは、昔から絵を描くのが好きなんですか？
Hiroto-san wa, mukashi kara e o kaku no ga suki nan desu ka?
Hiroto, have you always liked drawing pictures?
大翔 Hiroto

はい、子供の頃からずっと描いています。
Hai, kodomo no koro kara zutto kaite imasu.
Yes, I have been drawing since I was a child.
美咲 Misaki

すごいですね！才能がありますよ。
Sugoi desu ne! Sainou ga arimasu yo.
That's amazing! You are talented.
大翔 Hiroto

ありがとうございます。美咲さんも絵を描きますか？
Arigatou gozaimasu. Misaki-san mo e o kakimasu ka?
Thank you. Do you draw pictures too, Misaki?

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏