幼稚

• Reading: ようち
• Romaji: yochi
• Kanji breakdown: 幼 (you) — infant, young child | 稚 (chi) — immature, young
• Pronunciation: /joː.tɕi/

Meaning

Childish; infantile; immature; naive. Describes behaviour, thinking, or expression that is underdeveloped or inappropriate for one's age.

A na-adjective with a primary critical sense: calling someone's attitude or reasoning 幼稚 is a pointed rebuke of their immaturity. It differs from 子供っぽい (childlike) in that it is always negative — there is no charming sense of childlike innocence. Also used in the compound 幼稚園 (kindergarten), which is a neutral, non-derogatory usage. In the evaluative sense, 幼稚な考え方 or 幼稚な言動 are common collocations.

Examples

1. 会議中に言い訳ばかりする彼の態度は幼稚で、周囲をうんざりさせた。 His childish habit of making excuses during meetings exasperated everyone around him.
2. 幼稚な発想とも取れるアイデアが、意外にも革新的なビジネスにつながることがある。 An idea that might seem infantile can sometimes unexpectedly lead to an innovative business.
3. 幼稚な言動を繰り返すことで、彼女は周囲の信頼を徐々に失っていった。 By repeatedly engaging in immature behavior, she gradually lost the trust of those around her.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal criticism, workplace, social commentary

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 幼 (you — infant, young child) and 稚 (chi — young, immature). Both characters denote developmental immaturity. The word entered Japanese through classical Chinese and is now common in both formal and colloquial registers when criticising immature behaviour.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General