あかんぼう
noun
baby; infant
1. baby; infant
A very young child, typically under one year old.
(あか)(ぼう)()いている。
The baby is crying.
(あか)(ぼう)がぐっすり(ねむ)っている。
The baby is sleeping soundly.
彼女(かのじょ)先月(せんげつ)(あか)(ぼう)()んで、(いま)毎日(まいにち)世話(せわ)をしている。
She gave birth to a baby last month and is now taking care of it every day.
(となり)(いえ)(あか)(ぼう)毎晩(まいばん)()くので、最近(さいきん)あまり(ねむ)れていない。
The baby next door cries every night, so I haven't been sleeping well lately.
(あか)(ぼう)()まれたばかりの(ころ)夜中(よなか)何度(なんど)()きなければならなくて、毎日(まいにち)大変(たいへん)だった。
When the baby was first born, I had to get up many times in the middle of the night, and every day was exhausting.

(あか)(ぼう) refers specifically to a baby or infant, typically under one year old.

ETYMOLOGY:
From (あか) (red) + (ぼう) (boy/child), referring to the reddish skin color of newborns.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (あか)(ぼう): baby, infant (neutral)
  • (あか)ちゃん: baby (affectionate, more common in speech)
  • 乳児(にゅうじ): infant (formal/medical)
  • 幼児(ようじ): toddler, young child (1-6 years)
  • 新生児(しんせいじ): newborn (medical term)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • (あか)(ぼう)()く: baby cries
  • (あか)(ぼう)()く: to hold a baby
  • (あか)(ぼう)世話(せわ): baby care
  • (あか)(ぼう)()かせる: to put a baby to sleep

NOTE:
(あか)ちゃん is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while (あか)(ぼう) sounds slightly more formal or literary.