Otoko

Otoko (おとこ) is a Japanese noun meaning man or male, typically referring to an adult man. It is written with the kanji 男 and read with the native kun’yomi おとこ. In formal or technical contexts, the Sino-Japanese readings are used in compounds such as 男性 (だんせい, dansei) and 男子 (だんし, danshi), which denote male gender or male persons.

In everyday language, otoko contrasts with onna (woman). For non-adults, other terms are used: a boy is 男の子 (おとこのこ, otokonoko) or 少年 (しょうねん, shounen). Japanese does not inflect nouns for gender beyond pronouns and context; the distinction between man and woman is expressed through separate words and phrases rather than noun endings.

Etymology and usage: The character 男 has ancient origins in Chinese and Japanese writing. The kun-reading おとこ appears in native vocabulary, while the on-readings are used in compound terms such as 男性 and 男子. Otoko appears across a range of expressions in literature, media, and everyday speech to designate male gender or masculine identity. It can form various phrases, for example, otoko no hito (a man) or otoko no ko (boy).

See also: 男, 男性, 男子, おんな.