Log in
幼
幼
5 strokes
Frequency: 1227
JLPT N2
Grade 6

Meanings

infancy
childhood

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ヨウ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
おさな.い
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
うぶ
わか

Common Words

幼い
おさない
～い Adj.
Freq #1918
1

very young; little

Examples
その幼い少年は父親の両肩の上に乗っていた。
The little boy sat on his father's shoulders.
2

childish; immature

幼い頃
幼いころ
おさないころ
Expression
Freq #4710
1

when one was a very young child; very early in one's life

幼なじみ
幼馴染
幼馴染み
おさななじみ
おさなじみ
Noun
Freq #8591
1

childhood friend; friend from infancy; old playmate

Examples
幼なじみが春から大阪の大学に行くらしい。
Apparently an old friend of mine is going to a university in Osaka in Spring.
幼女
ようじょ
Noun
Freq #9848
1

little girl

Examples
私はまるで幼女のように大声で叫びたい気持ちだった。
I feel like crying out loud as if I were a little girl.
幼稚園
ようちえん
Noun
Freq #10350
1

kindergarten (in Japan, non-compulsory education from age 3 until primary school); preschool

Examples
それにしても、幼稚園というところは、季節の行事にとても敏感です。
Even so, kindergartens are sensitive to seasonal events.
幼児
ようじ
Noun
Freq #10823
1

young child; toddler

2

Law

child over 1 but not yet of school age

幼少
ようしょう
～な Adj.
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #12977
1

infancy; childhood; tender age

Examples
彼のマナーが悪いのは幼少時代のしつけが足りなかったせいだと彼らは考えた。
They attributed his bad manners to lack of training in childhood.
幼子
幼な子
幼児
おさなご
Noun
Freq #13422
1

infant; baby; little child

Examples
彼は幼児虐待で罰せられた。
He was punished for child abuse.
幼稚
ようち
Noun
Freq #14616
1

infancy

2

Adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi)

childish; infantile; immature; primitive

Examples
幼稚な説得とは、人をしつこく唆すことだ。
Crude persuasion is to persistently egg someone on.
幼少期
ようしょうき
Noun
Freq #15258
1

(early) childhood

Search for more words containing 幼
🎓

Practice and Remember This Kanji

Strengthen your kanji knowledge with our spaced-repetition quiz. Practice reading, meaning, and writing to build lasting memory.

Start Kanji Quiz