小しょう子し

noun

little child

Formal or literary term for a young child. Not used in everyday conversation.

• 古こ典てん文ぶん学がくでは、小しょう子しという語ごが幼おさない子こを指さすことがある。

  In classical literature, the word 小子 sometimes refers to a little child.

noun

boy (4-16, ritsuryō period)

Archaic term from the ritsuryō period for a male between 4 and 16 years old. Historical usage only.

• 律りつ令りょう制せいでは、小しょう子しは四よん歳さいから十じゅう六ろく歳さいまでの男だん子しを指さした。

  Under the ritsuryō system, 小子 referred to males from four to sixteen years old.

noun

pupil; disciple; follower

Archaic term for a pupil or follower, often in a master-disciple context. See also 弟子.

See also: 弟子

• 師し匠しょうは小しょう子したちに武ぶ術じゅつの極ごく意いを伝でん授じゅした。

  The master passed on the secrets of martial arts to his disciples.

pronoun

I; me (humble)

Formal, humble first-person pronoun used in literary or historical contexts. Conveys self-deprecation.

• 小しょう子しが未み熟じゅく者ものではございますが、どうかお聞きき届とどけください。

  Though I am but an inexperienced person, I beg you to hear me out.

pronoun

you (archaic, to inferior)

Archaic second-person pronoun used when addressing someone of lower status. Not used in modern Japanese.

• 主しゅ君くんは小しょう子しに向むかって、「そちに命めいじる」と言いった。

  The lord said to his retainer, 'I command you.'