noun
fox cub; little fox; juvenile fox
Refers to a young fox, often with a cute or endearing nuance. Can be used for actual fox cubs or in figurative contexts.
森で子ぎつねを見つけた。
I found a fox cub in the forest.
子ぎつねのぬいぐるみを買った。
I bought a stuffed little fox.
Kana-only spelling; common in children's books and informal writing.
Uses 小 (small) instead of 子 (child); less common and may be confused with other readings.
Rare mixed spelling with 小 and katakana.
Full katakana spelling; used for emphasis or in certain contexts like manga.
Compound of 子 (こ, 'child') and 狐 (きつね, 'fox'). The reading こぎつね is a standard rendaku (sequential voicing) of きつね.