Readings: ジ, ニ (Onyomi), こ, -こ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: child, newborn baby, young
The character depicts a child, often interpreted as a baby with a prominent head and a swaddled body, representing a newborn or young child.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
Start with the horizontal stroke at the top. Follow with the vertical hook extending downwards. Next, draw the two short diagonal strokes for the upper part of the “legs”. Finally, complete with the last two downward strokes for the bottom part.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 匕 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ジ (ji)
- ニ (ni)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- こ (ko)
Common Words Using 児
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 児童 | じどう | children, juvenile |
| 小児 | しょうに | young child, infant |
| 幼児 | ようじ | infant, baby, toddler |
| 孤児 | こじ | orphan |
| 育児 | いくじ | childcare, nursing |
| 託児所 | たくじしょ | daycare center, nursery |
| 胎児 | たいじ | fetus |
| 健児 | けんじ | healthy child, sturdy youth |
| 愛児 | あいじ | beloved child |
| 患児 | かんじ | sick child, patient (child) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 子供 | こども | child, children |
| 児 | こ | child (less common as standalone noun) |
| 泣き児 | なきご | crying child |
| 捨て児 | すてご | abandoned child |
| 児島 | こじま | Kojima (a common Japanese place name/surname) |
| 児玉 | こだま | Kodama (a common Japanese surname) |
| 御児 | おこ | child (archaic honorific term) |
| 末児 | すえご | youngest child (less common than 末っ子) |
| 産み児 | うみご | newborn baby (older/literary term) |
| 早生まれ児 | はやうまれご | child born early in the school year |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 児童は学校で学ぶ権利があります。
Kana: じどうはがっこうでまなぶけんりがあります。
Romaji: Jidō wa gakkō de manabu kenri ga arimasu.
English: Children have the right to learn at school.
Japanese: 小児科医は子供の病気を専門とします。
Kana: しょうにかいはこどものびょうきをせんととします。
Romaji: Shōnikai wa kodomo no byōki o senmon to shimasu.
English: A pediatrician specializes in children’s illnesses.
Japanese: 彼女は育児休暇を取りました。
Kana: かのじょはいくじきゅうかをとりとた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa ikuji kyūka o torimashita.
English: She took childcare leave.
Japanese: その託児所は駅から近いです。
Kana: そのたくじしょはえきからちかいです。
Romaji: Sono takujisho wa eki kara chikai desu.
English: That daycare center is close to the station.
Japanese: 胎児の成長は順調です。
Kana: たいじのせいちょうはじゅんちょうです。
Romaji: Taiji no seichō wa junjō desu.
English: The fetus’s growth is progressing smoothly.
Japanese: 彼は孤児として育った。
Kana: かれはこじとしてそだった。
Romaji: Kare wa koji to shite sodatta.
English: He grew up as an orphan.
Japanese: この公園には多くの幼児が遊んでいます。
Kana: このこうえんにはおおくのようじがあそんでいます。
Romaji: Kono kōen ni wa ōku no yōji ga asonde imasu.
English: Many toddlers are playing in this park.
Japanese: 彼の子供はとても元気な児です。
Kana: かれのこどもはとてもげんきなこです。
Romaji: Kare no kodomo wa totemo genki na ko desu.
English: His child is a very energetic kid.
Japanese: 健児は未来を担う。
Kana: けんじはみらいをになう。
Romaji: Kenji wa mirai o ninau.
English: Healthy children bear the future.
Japanese: 児童相談所に相談しました。
Kana: じどうそうだんしょにそうだんしました。
Romaji: Jidō sōdansho ni sōdan shimashita.
English: I consulted with the child guidance center.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.