ガキ
がき
noun
brat; kid
1.
brat; kid; urchin
A rough, somewhat derogatory term for a child, often implying they are annoying, mischievous, or immature.
うるさいガキだ。
What a noisy brat.
ガキの頃の話だ。
That's a story from when I was a kid.
まだガキだから分からないんだ。
You're still a kid so you don't understand.
ガキ comes from 餓鬼, originally a Buddhist term for hungry ghosts, which came to refer to children (perhaps from their constant hunger). Usually written in katakana in modern usage.
REGISTER:
This is rude/informal language. Use 子供 or お子さん in polite contexts.
NUANCE:
- Often used disparagingly to criticize a child's behavior
- Can be used affectionately in some contexts, especially for one's own past
- ガキの頃 (when I was a kid) is a common nostalgic expression
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 糞ガキ: little brat (even more rude)
- ガキんちょ: kid (slightly softer)