Kodomo

Kodomo is the Japanese word for child. In Japanese it is written as 子供 or 子ども and pronounced こども (kodomo). The term refers to a young person of any gender and can be used for a single child or children in general. For a plural or collective sense, こどもたち (kodomo-tachi) is commonly used, or the context may indicate the plural without adding a suffix.

Etymology and form: The two-character form 子供 combines 子 (child) and 供 (originally meaning “to provide” or “to supply”); the pronunciation kodomo is a native kun’yomi reading. In modern usage, the kana spellings こども or 子ども are widespread, especially in everyday writing, education materials, and media. Some contexts may prefer 子供 as a more formal or traditional appearance.

Usage and examples: The term is used across everyday conversation and formal writing to refer to children. Examples include こどもが三人います (There are three children) and こどもの日 (Children’s Day), a national holiday celebrated on May 5. The compound こども向け (kodomo-muke, “for children”) appears in products, media, and services targeting a younger audience. The word is gender-neutral and applies to both boys and girls.

Variation and context: While both forms are understood, 子ども or こども is widely used in educational, media, and informal contexts. In some formal documents, 子供 may be preferred, but the distinction is largely stylistic. The term also features in discussions about child welfare, education, and family policy.

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