若い頃
wakai koro
The English phrase "when I was young" is translated into Japanese as 若い頃 (wakai koro).
This phrase is used to refer to a period in a person's life when they were at a younger age. It is typically used by older speakers when reminiscing about their past, rather than by children or teenagers talking about their recent childhood.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 若い (wakai), meaning 'young' and the noun 頃 (koro), meaning 'time' or 'period'.
Which one should you use?
While 若い頃 refers to a general younger age, you can use 子供の頃 to specifically refer to your childhood. If you want to refer to a specific time, you can use structures like 三歳の頃 (when I was three years old) or 十代の頃 (when I was a teenager).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle は (wa) after 若い頃 to create 若い頃は is the most common way to set the time period as the topic of a sentence, which is often used when reminiscing.
How do you pronounce it?
wakai koro
Did you know?
- If you use 若い (wakai) to describe someone else, it can sound like you are making a direct judgment on their age. In polite Japanese conversation, people often prefer much more indirect ways to discuss a person's youth to avoid being blunt.
- In Japanese, the word 'young' (wakai) can sometimes be used as a synonym for 'inexperienced' or 'naive' in professional contexts. Saying someone was 'young' in a past story might imply they were still learning the ropes of society.
- The noun 頃 (koro) is often used in place of more precise time markers to create a sense of hazy or nostalgic memory. Using it suggests the speaker is looking back at a soft, imprecise period of their life rather than a specific date.
Examples in context
- 若い頃は痩せてたんだよ。I used to be thin when I was young.This sentence is useful for describing a past physical state using 若い頃.Tatoeba #148828 by small_snow, translation #265731 by CK
- 若い頃は、タバコを吸ってたよ。I smoked when I was young.This sentence is useful for describing a past habit using 若い頃.Tatoeba #10224947 by small_snow, translation #5743867 by Cainntear
- 若い頃はすぐ頭に血が上ってたな。I was quick tempered when I was young.This sentence is useful for describing a past temperament using 若い頃.Tatoeba #10145988 by bunbuku, translation #321852 by CK
- 幼い頃、よく公園で遊んだものです。When I was young, I often played in the park.
- 幼い頃の思い出が蘇ってきました。Memories from my childhood have come flooding back.
- 子供のころ、よく遠足に行ったものだ。We used to go on field trips a lot when I was a child.
- 子供のころは、夏休みが一番楽しい時期だった。When I was a child, summer vacation was the most enjoyable time.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Hiroto are talking about their past hobbies.
- 陽葵 Himari若い頃、ピアノを習っていたんです。Wakai koro, piano o naratte ita n desu.When I was young, I used to take piano lessons.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんですね。今はもう弾かないんですか？Sō nan desu ne. Ima wa mō hikanai n desu ka?I see. Do you not play anymore now?
- 陽葵 Himariはい。若い頃だけだったので、もう忘れました。Hai. Wakai koro dake datta node, mō wasuremashita.Yes. It was only when I was young, so I've forgotten it now.
- 大翔 Hiroto残念ですが、また始めてみたらどうですか。Zannen desu ga, mata hajimete mitara dō desu ka.That's a pity, but why don't you try starting again?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
