赤 子(あかご)

あかご

noun

baby; infant

literaryperson

See also: 赤(あか)ちゃん (everyday word)

1. baby; infant; newborn

A very young child, especially a newborn. The word comes from the reddish skin color of newborns.

赤子(あかご)の手(て)をひねる。

Easy as taking candy from a baby. (Literally: twisting a baby's hand.)

The baby started crying and the mother hurriedly picked it up.

When I see an innocent smile like a baby's, it makes me feel happy too.

赤子(あかご) literally means "red child," referring to the reddish skin of a newborn. It is a somewhat literary or traditional word.

赤子(あかご) vs 赤(あか)ちゃん: 赤(あか)ちゃん is the everyday, affectionate word for "baby," while 赤子(あかご) is more literary or traditional. In modern conversation, 赤(あか)ちゃん is far more common.
赤子(あかご) vs 乳児(にゅうじ): 乳児(にゅうじ) is a medical/technical term for "infant" (typically under one year old).

general

Added 2026.2.28 16:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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