孤児院

• Reading: こじいん
• Romaji: kojiin
• Kanji breakdown: 孤 (ko) — solitary, alone; 児 (ji) — child; 院 (in) — institution
• Pronunciation: /ko.dʑi.iɴ/

Meaning

Orphanage; an institution that houses and cares for children who have lost their parents.

A noun referring to a facility for orphaned children. While the term 孤児院 is widely understood, modern Japanese social welfare uses 児童養護施設 (jidō yōgo shisetsu, child welfare facility) as the official term. 孤児院 is still common in literature, historical contexts, and everyday conversation. Related: 孤児 (koji, orphan).

Examples

1. 戦後、多くの孤児院が設立された。 After the war, many orphanages were established.
2. 彼はボランティアとして孤児院で子供たちに勉強を教えている。 He volunteers at an orphanage, teaching children.
3. その映画は孤児院で育った少女の物語だ。 That movie is the story of a girl who grew up in an orphanage.

Usage Guide

Context: social welfare, history, literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 孤児 (koji, orphan — lit. solitary + child) + 院 (in, institution, building). Describes an institution dedicated to caring for parentless children.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal