末っ子
suekko[sɨe̞k̚ko̞]
The English phrase 'youngest' is translated into Japanese as 末っ子 (suekko).
末っ子 is used specifically to refer to the youngest child within a family unit. It is not a general adjective used to describe the youngest person in any random group.
Meaning: superlative form of young (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 末っ子 is composed of the character 末 (sue), which means 'end' or 'last' and 子 (ko), which means 'child'.
Which one should you use?
While 末っ子 refers to the youngest child, other terms specify the eldest. For example, the eldest son is called 長男 (chōnan) and the eldest daughter is called 長女 (chōjo).
How do you pronounce it?
suekko
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese family structures, the 末っ子 was frequently exempted from the heavy burdens and obligations placed upon the eldest child.
- The word 末っ子 is gender-neutral, unlike the terms for the eldest child which strictly distinguish between a son 長男 and a daughter 長女.
- The small っ in 末っ子 is a phonetic addition that makes the word sound more affectionate and colloquial than the formal version 末子.
Examples in context
- 私は末っ子です。I'm the youngest in the family.This sentence is useful for stating that you are the youngest in the family using 末っ子.Tatoeba #152679 by tommy_san, translation #261870 by CK
- トムは末っ子です。Tom is the youngest child in his family.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is the youngest child in his family using 末っ子.Tatoeba #9729373 by small_snow, translation #1024814 by CK
- マイクは末っ子です。Mike is the youngest in his family.This sentence is useful for stating that Mike is the youngest in his family using 末っ子.Tatoeba #9729367 by small_snow, translation #32903 by CN
- 彼は家族の中で最年少です。He is the youngest in the family.
- 彼女は４人兄弟の末っ子です。She is the youngest of four siblings.
- 君は一番下の兄弟なの？Are you the youngest sibling?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about their siblings.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんは兄弟がいますか？Misaki-san wa kyōdai ga imasu ka?Do you have any siblings, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、私は三人の末っ子です。Hai, watashi wa sannin no suekko desu.Yes, I am the youngest of three.
- 蓮 Renそうなんですね。末っ子は可愛がられますよね。Sō nan desu ne. Suekko wa kawaigararemasu yo ne.I see. The youngest child is usually spoiled, right?
- 美咲 Misaki本当にそうだと思います。Hontō ni sō da to omoimasu.I really think so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 末っ子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
