子

• Reading: こ
• Romaji: ko
• Kanji breakdown: 子 (shi/su/ko) — child, young
• Pronunciation: /ko/

Meaning

A child; a kid. Also used as a suffix in names and to refer to young animals.

One of the most versatile kanji in Japanese. As a standalone word, it means 'child.' As a suffix, it appears in female names (花子, 裕子), animal terms (子猫, kitten; 子犬, puppy), and many compounds. The reading changes between こ (kun) and し/す (on) depending on the word.

Examples

1. 公園で子どもたちが遊んでいます。 Children are playing in the park.
2. あの子はとても元気ですね。 That kid is really energetic, isn't she?
3. 猫の子が三匹生まれました。 Three kittens were born.

Usage Guide

Context: family, daily life, animals

Tone: friendly

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 子 is a pictograph of a swaddled baby with outstretched arms, one of the oldest and most fundamental characters.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal