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:

私は末っ子です。

Watashi wa makkosu desu

I'm the youngest.

I am the younger.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
末っ子 (makkosshi) - noun meaning "youngest son"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the subject

私は子供を育てるのが好きです。

Watashi wa kodomo wo sodateru no ga suki desu

I like raising children.

I like to raise children.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that what follows refers to "me"
子供 (kodomo) - noun meaning "child"
を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "child" is the object of the action
育てる (sodateru) - verb meaning "to create", "to educate" or "to care for"
のが (no ga) - particle indicating that the previous verb is the subject of the following sentence
好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は菓子が大好きです。

Watashi wa kashi ga daisuki desu

I love candies.

I love confectionery.

私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
菓子 (kashi) - "Doces" means "sweet" in Japanese.
が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
大好き (daisuki) - means "I like a lot" in Japanese
です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私の判子は赤いです。

Watashi no hanko wa akai desu

My stamp is red.

My foundation is red.

私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
の - Japanese particle indicating possession, equivalent to "my"
判子 - Japanese word that means "stamp"
は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
赤い - Japanese adjective that means "red"
です - verb of ser/estar in Japanese, equivalent to "é/está"

私の子息は将来有望な若者です。

Watashi no musuko wa shourai yuubou na wakamono desu

My son is a promising young man for the future.

My son is a young man with promise for the future.

私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
子息 - noun that means "son"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
将来 - noun meaning "future"
有望 - adjective that means "promising"
な - particle that connects the adjective to the noun, equivalent to "of"
若者 - noun that means "young"
です - verb that indicates the polite form of the present, equivalent to "is"

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。

Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu

If you don't get into the tiger

If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not take your puppy.

虎穴 - tiger hole
に - particle indicating location
入らず - do not enter
んば - conditional conjunction
虎子 - tiger cub
を - particle indicating direct object
得ず - don't get
. - Period

親は子供にとって大切な存在です。

Oya wa kodomo ni totte taisetsu na sonzai desu

Parents are an important presence in children's lives.

Parents are important to children.

親 (oya) - means "father" or "mother" in Japanese
は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the parents"
子供 (kodomo) - means "child" or "son" in Japanese
にとって (ni totte) - "to" or "in relation to", in this case, "to the children"
大切 (taisetsu) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
な (na) - grammatical particle that indicates the adjectival form of the previous term, in this case, "important"
存在 (sonzai) - It means "existence" or "presence" in Japanese
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite and formal way of stating something, in this case, "is"