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.
your child (polite)
Use when speaking to someone about their child.
animal young
Often combined with animal name, e.g., 子犬 (puppy).
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.
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.
Specifically 'daughter'.
To respectfully refer to another person's child, especially in formal situations or when speaking to superiors.
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.
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.
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.
We had a baby. (lit. A child was born.)
子どもが好きです。
I like children.
My son is a university student.
娘が結婚しました。
My daughter got married.
Polite way to say 'child'. Use when talking about someone else's child, especially in face-to-face conversation or when showing respect.
How old is your child?
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.
children's lunch (menu item)
Polite 'son' (someone else's son).
Your son is excellent.
Polite 'daughter' (someone else's daughter).
Your daughter is beautiful.
この猫は子を産んだ。
This cat had kittens.
I want a puppy.
Can also be used for animal young, though it's more common for humans. Context makes it clear.
puppy (lit. dog's child)
Kanji specifically for animal offspring, used in technical or literary contexts. Rare in everyday writing.
His descendants still live in this town.
Formal term for sons and daughters; often used in legal or official documents.
education of one's children
Literary/archaic term for offspring or child. Rarely used in modern speech.
Watch over the growth of one's offspring.
(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.
This child is my child. (子 used for a specific child, 子供 for the relationship)