若(わか)い

わかい
adjective (i-adjective)
young
1. young
Having lived or existed for a short time. Used for people and sometimes animals.
彼女(かのじょ)は若(わか)いです。
She is young.
若(わか)い時(とき)、たくさん本(ほん)を読(よ)みました。
When I was young, I read a lot of books.
あの先生(せんせい)はまだ若(わか)いですが、とても上手(じょうず)です。
That teacher is still young, but very skilled.
若(わか)い頃(ころ)はよく運動(うんどう)した。
When I was young, I used to exercise a lot.
若者(わかもの)に人気(にんき)がある。
It's popular with young people.
2. youthful, immature
Can also describe someone who acts or looks young, or is inexperienced.
若(わか)く見(み)えますね。
You look young.
A common compliment in Japan
私(わたし)の祖父(そふ)は八十歳(はちじゅっさい)ですが、心(こころ)は若(わか)いです。毎日(まいにち)散歩(さんぽ)しています。
My grandfather is 80 years old, but he is young at heart. He walks every day.
まだ若(わか)いから、失敗(しっぱい)してもいい。
It's okay to fail because you're still young.
考(かんが)えが若(わか)い。
Your thinking is immature.
気持(きも)ちが若(わか)い。
You have a youthful spirit.

USAGE:
若(わか)い is primarily used for people and living things, while 新(あたら)しい is used for objects and things.

COMPOUNDS:

  • 若者(わかもの): young person, youth
  • 若(わか)い頃(ころ)/若(わか)い時(とき): when (one was) young
  • 若手(わかて): young (talent/employee)
  • 若葉(わかば): young leaves, fresh greenery

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 若(わか)く見(み)える: to look young (a common compliment)
  • 気(き)が若(わか)い: young at heart
  • 考(かんが)えが若(わか)い: immature thinking (slightly negative)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:10 · Revised 2026.2.19 10:24
00500/00823_wakai