1.
childhood, infancy, early years
Refers to the period of early childhood. Often used in formal or literary contexts when describing someone's upbringing or formative years.
幼少の頃からピアノを習っていた。
I had been learning piano since childhood.
彼は幼少期を海外で過ごした。
He spent his early childhood overseas.
幼少の頃の体験がその後の人生に大きな影響を与えた。
Experiences from early childhood had a great influence on the rest of his life.
USAGE:
Most commonly appears in the set phrase 幼少の頃 (in one's childhood) or as 幼少期 (childhood period). Has a formal, slightly literary tone compared to the more casual 子供の頃. Often used in biographies, interviews, and written narratives.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 幼少の頃: in one's childhood
- 幼少期: childhood period
- 幼少の頃から: since childhood