Translation guide
The English word 'offspring' refers to a person's child or children, or the young of an animal. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends heavily on context: whether you're speaking about your own children, someone else's children, formality, and whether you mean human or animal young.
To refer to your own son(s) and/or daughter(s) in a neutral or humble way.
The most common and neutral word for 'child' or 'children'. Can be used for your own children or children in general. When referring to your own, it's natural and not overly formal.
うちの子供は二人います。
I have two children.
子供が生まれました。
We had a baby. (lit. A child was born.)
Same as 子供, but often written with hiragana for 'ども' to soften the nuance or in children's contexts. Very common in writing.
Specifically 'son'. Use when you need to specify gender.
息子は大学生です。
My son is a university student.
Specifically 'daughter'.
To respectfully refer to another person's child, especially in formal situations or when speaking to superiors.
Polite way to say 'child'. Use when talking about someone else's child, especially in face-to-face conversation or when showing respect.
お子さんはおいくつですか。
How old is your child?
お子さんによろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to your children.
Even more polite/honorific than お子さん. Often used in service contexts (restaurants, hotels) or very formal writing.
Polite 'son' (someone else's son).
息子さんは優秀ですね。
Your son is excellent.
Polite 'daughter' (someone else's daughter).
To refer to the young of an animal, either generally or for specific species.
Suffix or standalone word meaning 'young' of an animal. Often attached to the animal name (e.g., 子犬, 子猫). Can be used alone in context.
この猫は子を産んだ。
This cat had kittens.
子犬が欲しい。
I want a puppy.
Can also be used for animal young, though it's more common for humans. Context makes it clear.
犬の子供
puppy (lit. dog's child)
Kanji specifically for animal offspring, used in technical or literary contexts. Rare in everyday writing.
仔馬
foal
To use a more formal or scientific term for offspring, often in written or academic contexts.
Refers to descendants, posterity, or offspring in a lineage sense. Used in formal, historical, or legal contexts.
彼の子孫は今もこの町に住んでいる。
His descendants still live in this town.
Formal term for sons and daughters; often used in legal or official documents.
子女の教育
education of one's children
Literary/archaic term for offspring or child. Rarely used in modern speech.
産子の成長を見守る。
Watch over the growth of one's offspring.
When talking about your own children to someone outside your family, using 子供 is fine, but in very formal situations, you might use 息子/娘 without honorifics. Never use お子さん for your own child.
（自分の子供に）お子さんはいますか？
(Incorrect) Do you have a child? (using honorific for own child)
子供 is the general word for child (human or animal). 子 as a standalone noun often means 'young animal' or is used in compounds. Using 子 alone for a human child can sound archaic or poetic.
この子は私の子供です。
This child is my child. (子 used for a specific child, 子供 for the relationship)
I like children.
My daughter got married.
お子様ランチ
children's lunch (menu item)
Your daughter is beautiful.