幼少期(ようしょうき)

ようしょうき
noun
childhood; early years
1. childhood; early years
The period of early childhood, typically referring to the years before elementary school or the first several years of life. Used in biographical, psychological, and reflective contexts.
幼少期(ようしょうき)の記憶(きおく)がない。
I have no memories of my childhood.
彼(かれ)は幼少期(ようしょうき)を田舎(いなか)で過(す)ごした。
He spent his childhood in the countryside.
幼少期(ようしょうき)の体験(たいけん)がその後(ご)の人生(じんせい)に大(おお)きな影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)える。
Experiences in early childhood have a major impact on later life.

幼少(ようしょう) means 'young' or 'infancy,' and 期(き) means 'period.' Together, 幼少期(ようしょうき) refers to the earliest stage of a person's life, generally before school age. It is commonly used in written and formal contexts such as biographies, memoirs, and psychological discussions.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 幼少期(ようしょうき)を過(す)ごす (to spend one's childhood)
  • 幼少期(ようしょうき)の記憶(きおく) (childhood memories)
  • 幼少期(ようしょうき)の体験(たいけん) (childhood experiences)
  • 幼少期(ようしょうき)から (since childhood)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 子供時代(こどもじだい) — childhood (more casual, covers a wider age range)
  • 幼年期(ようねんき) — early childhood (more literary, similar meaning)
  • 少年時代(しょうねんじだい) — boyhood (specifically for boys, slightly older age range)
general
Added 2026.4.1 7:13
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