noun
unusually large or strong youth; prodigious child
Refers to a young person, typically a boy, who is remarkably large, strong, or talented for their age. Often used in historical or martial contexts, but can appear in modern descriptions of exceptional young athletes or prodigies.
彼は相撲界の怪童と呼ばれている。
He is called the prodigy of the sumo world.
その怪童は十歳で大人を投げ飛ばした。
That unusually strong boy threw an adult at the age of ten.
Compound of 怪 (kai, 'mysterious, strange, monstrous') and 童 (dō, 'child, youth'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word likely emerged to describe legendary or historical figures known for extraordinary youthful feats.