幼い

• 読み: おさない
• ローマ字: osanai
• 漢字の分解: 幼 (you/osana) — infancy, young child
• 発音: /o.sa.na.i/

意味

Very young; childish; immature. Describes someone or something characteristic of early childhood.

An i-adjective used for young children (typically under 6-7) or childlike qualities. When applied to adults, it implies immaturity (考えが幼い, one's thinking is childish). Also used nostalgically for childhood memories (幼い頃, when I was little). Distinct from 若い, which means 'young' in general.

例文

1. 幼い子供にはまだ難しい話だ。
2. 幼い頃の写真を見つけて懐かしくなった。
3. 彼の考え方はまだ幼いところがある。

使い方ガイド

場面: childhood, memories, personality critique

トーン: tender

起源と歴史

From the classical adjective 幼し (osanashi). The kanji 幼 combines 幺 (thread/small) with 力 (power), suggesting 'little strength' — the vulnerability and smallness of a young child.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal