若者
wakamono
The Japanese word for 'youth' is 若者 (wakamono).
若者 refers specifically to young people or a young person. While the English word 'youth' can be used to describe the abstract period of life following childhood, in Japanese, 若者 is used to describe the individuals within that demographic. It is frequently used in sociological or journalistic contexts to describe the group of young people.
Meaning: part of life following childhood (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
wakamono
Did you know?
- While 若者 refers to youth in general, the term 若しくは (moshiku-shiwa) uses the same character for 'young' but actually means 'or' in formal legal documents.
- While 若者 is used for youth, the word 青春 (seishun), meaning 'blue spring', is used to describe the abstract period of youth and emotional growth.
- Japanese has a specific term 若作り (wakadzukuri) which describes the act of dressing or behaving in a way to appear younger than one actually is.
Examples in context
- 若者はもっと政治に関わるべきだ。Youth should be more involved in politics.This sentence demonstrates how to use 若者 when discussing the involvement of young people in politics.Tatoeba #9107385 by umi_lucie, translation #9107394 by umi_lucie
- 彼は青春時代に多くの冒険を経験しました。He had numerous adventures during his youth.
- 若さを活かして新しいことに挑戦しましょう。Let's embrace our youth and challenge ourselves with new things.
- 彼の若さには驚かされます。I am amazed by his youthfulness.
- 若者たちは未来に向かって頑張っています。The youth are working hard towards the future.
- 若者の文化は常に変化する。Wakamono no bunka wa tsune ni henka suru.Youth culture is always changing.
- 彼は若者らしく、とてもエネルギッシュだ。Kare wa wakamono rashiku, totemo enerugisshu da.He is energetic, just like a young person.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are discussing a new cafe's target audience.
- 結衣 Yuiこの店は若者に人気があるね。kono mise wa wakamono ni ninki ga aru ne.This shop is popular with young people, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。内装がおしゃれだからね。sou da ne. naisou ga oshare da kara ne.You're right. The interior is very stylish.
- 結衣 Yui大翔も若者に混じって注文しようか。Hiroto mo wakamono ni majitte chuumon shiyou ka.Shall we join the youth and order, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいよ。何にするか決めよう。ii yo. nani ni suru ka kimeyou.Sure. Let's decide what to get.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 若者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
