person of mixed parentage; mixed-race person
Derogatory term for a person of mixed race or ethnicity. Often considered offensive; use with caution. Can also refer to a crossbreed animal or hybrid plant in non-specialist contexts.
He was hurt by being called a half-breed.
This dog is a crossbreed, a mutt.
Biological term for a hybrid organism, especially plants or animals. More neutral than sense 1, but in everyday speech 雑種 or ハイブリッド are more common.
This plant is a hybrid, possessing characteristics of both.
Standard term for crossbreed or mongrel, used for animals and plants; neutral.
Common kana-mixed spelling; the kanji 子 is standard for 'child'.
Kanji spelling using 間 (between); less common but still seen.
Abbreviated kanji spelling; rare.
Kanji spelling using 合い (mixing); less common.
From 合い (ai, 'between, mixing') + の (no, possessive) + 子 (ko, 'child'). Literally 'child of mixing'. The kanji 間 (ai, 'interval, between') is also used. The term has been used historically for mixed-race individuals and crossbreeds.