1.
very young
Being at an early stage of life.
幼い子供。
A young child.
幼い頃の思い出。
Memories from early childhood.
彼は幼い頃から絵が好きだった。
He has liked drawing since he was very young.
2.
childish, immature
Having characteristics of a young child.
考えが幼い。
The thinking is immature.
言うことが幼い。
What they say is childish.
もう大人なのに、やることが幼くて困る。
Even though they're an adult, their behavior is so childish it's troubling.
幼い is an i-adjective describing early childhood (roughly ages 1-6) or childlike/immature qualities.
TWO MEANINGS:
1. Very young (neutral): 幼い子供 (young child)
2. Immature/childish (negative): 考えが幼い (thinking is immature)
FORMS:
- Adverbial: 幼く
- Noun form: 幼さ (youth, immaturity)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 幼い頃: in early childhood
- 幼馴染み: childhood friend
- 幼い顔: childlike face
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 幼い: very young (early childhood, or immature)
- 若い: young (broader age range, teens to young adults)
- 子供っぽい: childish (often pejorative)
RELATED:
- 幼児: infant, young child
- 幼稚園: kindergarten