Translation and Meaning of: 子 - ko

The Japanese word 子[こ] is one of those little gems of the language that carries deep meanings and varied uses. If you are studying Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding this word can open doors to a better understanding of culture and communication in Japan. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing, and how it is used in everyday life, as well as curiosities that make 子[こ] so special.

Found in various contexts, from proper names to common expressions, 子[こ] is a versatile word that deserves attention. Whether for those who want to expand their vocabulary or for those looking to understand cultural nuances, this guide will help unravel the secrets of this small yet powerful particle of the Japanese language.

Meaning and use of 子[こ]

In its most basic form, 子[こ] means "child" or "son." However, its usage goes far beyond that. It can appear in proper names, both male and female, such as "Aiko" or "Takako," where it carries an affectionate sense or an indication of youth. In more general contexts, it can also refer to small objects or elements, as in "neko" (cat), where "ko" suggests something small or cute.

Another interesting aspect is its use in compound words. For example, "kodomo" (子[こ] e 供[ども]) means child, reinforcing the idea of childhood. In "musuko" (息子), the combination with other kanjis creates specific nuances. This flexibility makes 子[こ] one of the most frequent words in Japanese vocabulary, appearing in both formal and informal situations.

The origin and writing of 子[こ]

The kanji 子 has a rich and ancient history. Originally, it represented the figure of a baby wrapped in cloth, an image that evolved into its current form. In ancient China, this character was already used to symbolize descent and youth, a meaning that has persisted in Japanese. Interestingly, 子 is also one of the simplest kanjis to write, with only three strokes, which makes it one of the first to be learned by students.

In addition to the reading "ko," this kanji can be read as "shi" in certain contexts, such as in the term "shi-shi" (master), although this pronunciation is less common. It is worth noting that 子 is part of several other compound kanjis, such as 学 (gaku, study) and 好 (kou, like), where it acts as a radical, reinforcing ideas related to growth or affection.

ko in Japanese culture

In Japan, 子[こ] is not just a word, but a concept that reflects social values. The idea of "child" is connected to purity and potential, something often celebrated in festivals like Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day). Names that end with 子, especially for women, were extremely popular in the 20th century, symbolizing delicacy and tradition.

Furthermore, expressions like "koibito" (lover) show how 子[こ] can take on broader meanings related to affection and closeness. Whether in animes, songs, or literature, this word appears as a symbol of beloved and important things. For those who want to dive into the language, noticing these cultural details is essential to use 子[こ] in a natural and accurate way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

こども (kodomo) - Child
子供 (kodomo) - Criança (kanji)
あかちゃん (akachan) - Baby
ちび (chibi) - Chubby, little; used in an affectionate way
ようじん (youjin) - Child (in the context of care)
ぼく (boku) - I (usually used by young boys)
こづくり (kozukuri) - Child rearing
こづくりさん (kozukuri-san) - Sir or person who raises children
こづくりくん (kozukuri-kun) - Boy who takes care of children
こどもちゃん (kodomo-chan) - Little girl (affectionate form)
こどもさん (kodomo-san) - Boy child (respectful form)
こどもくん (kodomo-kun) - Boy child (friendly form)

Related words

椅子

isu

chair

利子

rishi

Interest (bank)

様子

yousu

aspect; state; appearance

息子

musuko

son

迷子

maigo

child (lost) child

帽子

boushi

hat

分子

bunshi

numerator; molecule

双子

futago

twins; a twin

判子

hanko

seal (used for signature)

捻子

neji

screw; helix; spiral

子

Romaji: ko
Kana: こ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: child

Meaning in English: child

Definition: Person whose biological age ranges from 0 to 12 years.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (子) ko

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (子) ko:

Example Sentences - (子) ko

See below some example sentences:

私は弟子を育てることが好きです。

Watashi wa deshi o sodateru koto ga suki desu

I like to train disciples.

I like to raise my disciples.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
弟子 (deshi) - substantivo que significa "discípulo"
を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
育てる (sodateru) - verb meaning "to create" or "to educate"
こと (koto) - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
です (desu) - verb that indicates the existence or state of something, equivalent to the verb "ser" or "estar" in Portuguese

帽子を被る。

Boushi wo kaburu

Put on a hat.

Wear a hat.

帽子 - It means "hat" in Japanese.
を - It is a particle of object in Japanese, indicating that the hat is the object of the action.
被る - It is a verb that means "to wear" or "to dress" in Japanese, in this case referring to the act of putting on a hat.

電子技術は現代社会に欠かせないものです。

Denshi gijutsu wa gendai shakai ni kakasenai mono desu

Electronic technology is indispensable in modern society.

Electronic technology is indispensable to modern society.

電子技術 - electronic technology
は - Topic particle
現代社会 - Modern society
に - Location particle
欠かせない - indispensable
もの - thing
です - Verb to be/estar in the present

藁で作られた帽子をかぶっている。

Wara de tsukurareta boushi wo kabutte iru

I am wearing a hat made of straw.

I wear a hat made of straw.

藁 (wara) - straw
で (de) - binding particle
作られた (tsukurareta) - was made
帽子 (boushi) - hat
を (wo) - direct object particle
かぶっている (kabutteiru) - is using

躾は子供の将来に大きな影響を与えます。

Shitsuke wa kodomo no shourai ni ookina eikyou wo ataemasu

Discipline has a big impact on children's future.

Discipline has a significant impact on a child's future.

躾 (しつけ) - discipline, education
子供 (こども) - child
将来 (しょうらい) - future
大きな (おおきな) - large
影響 (えいきょう) - influence
与えます (あたえます) - give, grant

迷子にならないように気をつけてください。

Meigo ni naranai you ni ki wo tsukete kudasai

Please be careful not to get lost.

Be careful not to get lost.

迷子 (meigo) - lost
に (ni) - particle indicating destination or location
ならない (naranai) - negation of the verb "naru" which means "to become"
ように (youni) - expression that indicates purpose or goal
気をつけて (kiwotsukete) - expression that means "care" or "pay attention"
ください (kudasai) - verb that means "please"

調子がいいですね。

Choushi ga ii desu ne

I feel good.

調子 - means "condition" or "state," it can be used to refer to someone's physical or mental health.
が - subject particle, indicates that "調子" is the subject of the sentence.
いい - adjective that means "good" or "well".
です - Verb "to be" in polite form.
ね - particle at the end of a sentence that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation of what has been said.

男子は強いです。

Danshi wa tsuyoi desu

Men are strong.

The boys are strong.