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N2

Kanji 幼: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 幼: infancy, childhood

Key takeaways

Kanji 幼: infancy, childhood. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

幼
N2

Meaning

infancychildhood

On reading

ヨウ

Kun reading

おさな.い

Radical

幺

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 幼

infancy, childhood

Kanji structure breakdown

幼

Structure breakdown

幺 + 力

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Think of a child who is small (幺) and has little power (力). This character represents childhood or an infant who hasn't developed full strength yet. It is used in words like kindergarten or infant.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ヨウ
  • 幼児ようじ

    infant / toddler / young child

  • 幼稚ようち

    childish / infantile

  • 幼稚園ようちえん

    kindergarten

Kun reading

おさな.い
  • 幼いおさない

    very young / childish

Commonly used words

  • 幼児
    ようじ

    infant / toddler / young child

  • 幼稚
    ようち

    childish / infantile

  • 幼稚園
    ようちえん

    kindergarten

  • 幼い
    おさない

    very young / childish

Example sentences

Example 1

幼児が公園で遊んでいます。

Translation

The toddler is playing in the park.

Example 2

この教室は幼児向けです。

Translation

This classroom is for young children.

Example 3

その話はとても幼稚だ。

Translation

That story is very childish.

Example 4

幼稚な言動はやめてください。

Translation

Please stop the childish behavior.

Kanji 幼: infancy, childhood | Daily Nihongo