反抗期(はんこうき)

はんこうき
noun
rebellious phase; defiant stage
familypersonality
1. rebellious phase; defiant stage
A developmental stage in which a child or adolescent defies authority and resists parental control. Japanese parenting discourse distinguishes two main phases: the first around age 2-3 and the second during puberty.
息子(むすこ)は今(いま)、反抗期(はんこうき)の真(ま)っ最中(さいちゅう)だ。
My son is right in the middle of his rebellious phase.
反抗期(はんこうき)の子供(こども)にどう接(せっ)すればいいか悩(なや)んでいる。
I'm struggling with how to deal with my child's rebellious phase.
思春期(ししゅんき)の反抗期(はんこうき)は成長(せいちょう)の一部(いちぶ)なので、心配(しんぱい)しすぎないでください。
The rebellious phase during puberty is part of growing up, so please don't worry too much.

Etymology

反抗(はんこう) (resistance, defiance) + 期(き) (period, phase).

Cultural note

In Japanese child development terminology, there are typically two recognized phases: 第一次反抗期(だいいちじはんこうき) (first rebellious phase, around age 2-3, similar to the "terrible twos") and 第二次反抗期(だいにじはんこうき) (second rebellious phase, during adolescence/puberty).

Common collocations

  • 反抗期(はんこうき)を迎(むか)える (to enter a rebellious phase)
  • 反抗期(はんこうき)の子供(こども) (a child in their rebellious phase)
  • 反抗期(はんこうき)が終(お)わる (for the rebellious phase to end)

Related Words

Related: 思春期(ししゅんき) (puberty)
Related: 反抗(はんこう) (resistance, defiance)
Related: 反抗的(はんこうてき) (rebellious)
Compare: 反抗心(はんこうしん) (rebellious spirit)
general
Added 2026.3.8 22:21 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
15500/15877_hankouki