Japanese · Family & People
子ども
kodomo
Child
Beginnernoun
Definition
Refers to a child or children. The plural is implied by context; 子供たち (kodomotachi) explicitly means "children."
Example
子どもたちは公園で遊んでいます。
The children are playing in the park.
Etymology
'子ども' (kodomo) is derived from the word '子' (ko), meaning 'child', and '供' (domo), which indicates companionship. The term reflects society's view of children as integral in family and community contexts.
How & Where It’s Used
'子ども' (kodomo) is used in both formal and informal settings, applicable in spoken and written forms. It is a neutral term without regional variations, popular across Japan.