子供

• Reading: こども
• Romaji: kodomo
• Kanji breakdown: 子 (ko) — child; 供 (tomo/kyou) — attendant, companion
• Pronunciation: /ko.do.mo/

Meaning

Child; children. A general term for young people.

A common noun referring to children in general or one's own children. The word is sometimes written as 子ども with hiragana for the second part, as some consider 供 to carry a subordinate nuance. Both spellings are widely used and accepted.

Examples

1. 公園で子供たちが遊んでいます。 The children are playing in the park.
2. 子供の時、よく海に行きました。 When I was a child, I often went to the beach.
3. あの人は子供が三人います。 That person has three children.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, family, parenting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 子 (ko, 'child') and 供 (tomo, 'attendant/companion'). Originally meant 'child attendants,' but the meaning generalized to simply 'children.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal