お子さん

• Reading: おこさん
• Romaji: okosan
• Kanji breakdown: 子 (shi/ko) — child
• Pronunciation: /o.ko.saɴ/

Meaning

Someone else's child (polite). A respectful way to refer to another person's son or daughter.

The polite form used when asking about or referring to another person's child. Composed of the honorific お, 子 (ko, child), and the polite suffix さん. It is the standard way to mention someone else's children in conversation. For one's own children, the humble forms 息子 (son) or 娘 (daughter) are used instead.

Examples

1. お子さんはおいくつですか。 How old is your child?
2. お子さんはもう学校に通っていますか。 Is your child already going to school?
3. お子さんがとてもかわいいですね。 Your child is really cute.

Usage Guide

Context: polite conversation, social situations, inquiries

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Compound of the honorific prefix お, 子 (ko, child), and the polite suffix さん. A standard honorific form used in Japanese to show respect when referring to others' family members.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal