Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Childhood' and 'Infancy'? | 幼

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Childhood' and 'Infancy', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Childhood' and 'Infancy' is 幼.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Childhood, Infancy

    Reading

    kunyomiおさな

    osana

    onyomiよう

    you

    Parts

    Slight Power

    Example Word

    幼稚: immature. The Japanese adjectival noun '幼稚 (ようち)' means 'immature' or 'childish'. It is often used to describe behavior, thinking, or actions that are not appropriate for someone's age or position, suggesting a lack of maturity or sophistication. For example: His behavior is immature「彼の行動は幼稚だ」(かれのこうどうはようちだ). That idea is too childish「その考えは幼稚すぎる」(そのかんがえはようちすぎる). It can also refer to something being at an early stage of development, such as '幼稚な技術 (ようちなぎじゅつ)' (immature technology). Note that this word can carry a slightly negative connotation when used to describe people.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    1141

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Slight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

Words Using

This kanji is used in 4 words:

    word

    幼稚園

    Meaning

    Kindergarten

    word

    幼い

    Meaning

    Young

    word

    幼稚

    Meaning

    Immature

    word

    幼児

    Meaning

    Toddler

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 8 kanji contain the part 幺 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thread

    kanji

    Meaning

    Some, How many

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hometown

    kanji

    Meaning

    Profound, Mysterious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Illusion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Faint, Seclude

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital, Suburbs of capital

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 力 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exertion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Move

    kanji

    Meaning

    Merit, Achievement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Join, Add

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effective

    kanji

    Meaning

    Diligence

    kanji

    Meaning

    Labor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Help

    kanji

    Meaning

    Toil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power, Force

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strive, Encourage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Raise, Recruit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inferior, Inferiority

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urge, Recommend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Investigate, Censure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Check, Intuition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Imperial order, Imperial decree

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rise, Suddenness

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 幼 mean?

幼 means 'Childhood' and 'Infancy'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.