1.
child
A young person, or someone's son or daughter.
賢い子ですね。
What a smart child.
あの子は誰ですか。
Who is that child?
子どもの頃、よくここで遊んだ。
I often played here when I was a child.
子 is a fundamental word meaning child. It functions both as a standalone word and as a productive element in many compounds.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- いい子: good child (also used to praise pets)
- 男の子: boy
- 女の子: girl
- あの子: that child/kid (casual; also used for young adults)
AS A PREFIX (= young/baby):
- 子犬: puppy
- 子猫: kitten
- 子鹿: fawn
- 子牛: calf
IN COMPOUNDS:
- 親子: parent and child
- 子供: children (most common form)
- 子育て: child-rearing
USAGE:
あの子 can refer to young adults casually, not just children. In this usage, it is similar to "that person" but informal.