1.
first grandchild
One's first grandchild. A word that carries a strong emotional connotation of joy and celebration.
初孫が生まれた。
Our first grandchild was born.
祖父母は初孫の誕生を心待ちにしている。
The grandparents are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first grandchild.
初孫を抱いたときの喜びは言葉にできないほどだった。
The joy of holding my first grandchild was beyond words.
READING VARIANT:
Also read as はつまご. The reading ういまご is traditional and more literary, while はつまご is also common in speech.
USAGE:
A compound of 初 (first) + 孫 (grandchild). Typically used in happy, celebratory contexts. The prefix 初～ is an old Japanese reading meaning "first" (compare 初陣, first battle).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 初孫の誕生 (birth of one's first grandchild)
- 初孫を抱く (to hold one's first grandchild)
- 待望の初孫 (long-awaited first grandchild)