1.
baby; infant
A very young child, typically under one year old.
赤ん坊が泣いている。
The baby is crying.
赤ん坊がぐっすり眠っている。
The baby is sleeping soundly.
彼女は先月赤ん坊を産んで、今は毎日世話をしている。
She gave birth to a baby last month and is now taking care of it every day.
隣の家の赤ん坊が毎晩泣くので、最近あまり眠れていない。
The baby next door cries every night, so I haven't been sleeping well lately.
赤ん坊が生まれたばかりの頃は夜中に何度も起きなければならなくて、毎日大変だった。
When the baby was first born, I had to get up many times in the middle of the night, and every day was exhausting.
赤ん坊 refers specifically to a baby or infant, typically under one year old.
ETYMOLOGY:
From 赤 (red) + 坊 (boy/child), referring to the reddish skin color of newborns.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 赤ん坊: baby, infant (neutral)
- 赤ちゃん: baby (affectionate, more common in speech)
- 乳児: infant (formal/medical)
- 幼児: toddler, young child (1-6 years)
- 新生児: newborn (medical term)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 赤ん坊が泣く: baby cries
- 赤ん坊を抱く: to hold a baby
- 赤ん坊の世話: baby care
- 赤ん坊を寝かせる: to put a baby to sleep
NOTE:
赤ちゃん is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while 赤ん坊 sounds slightly more formal or literary.