お子こ様さま

General polite word for a child, not necessarily someone else's. Often used in public announcements, product names, or when addressing children directly in a respectful manner.

お子こ様さま向むけのイベントを開かい催さいします。
We will hold an event for children.
お子こ様さまから大人おとなまで楽たのしめる映えい画がです。
It's a movie that can be enjoyed by everyone from kids to adults.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉のお子こ様さまは何なん歳さいですかHow old is your child? (polite)
お子こ様さまは何なん歳さいですか。
How old is your child?
お子こ様さま用よう〈物もの〉item made for children
これはお子こ様さま用ようの椅い子すです。
This is a chair made for children.
お子こ様さまがいらっしゃる(someone's) child is present (honorific)
田た中なか様さまのお子こ様さまがいらっしゃいました。
Mr. Tanaka's child has arrived.
お子こ様さまをお連つれになるto bring one's child along (honorific)
お子こ様さまをお連つれになってもかまいません。
You're welcome to bring your child along.

Kanji

子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
様Esq., way, manner

Related words

お子こさんN4sense 1
お子さん is also an honorific word for someone's child, but お子様 sounds more formal and is favored in business or customer-service language.

Opposites

大人おとなN5sense 2
大人 'adult' contrasts with お子様 'child', marking the basic child/adult distinction the word conveys.

Politeness

子こ供どもplainN5
子供 is the neutral, everyday word for 'child', while お子様 is its polite/honorific counterpart used in service or formal speech.

Counted with

人にん
The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
名めいN2
Common in polite/customer-facing contexts; 人 is the everyday counter.

Word family

お子こ様さま椅い子す
high chair; child's chair
お子こ様さま連づれ
parent with child; person bringing children
お子こ様さまセット
kid's meal; children's set

Built from

お子こ+様さま

Written forms

お子こ様さま
Standard polite spelling using 様. Preferred in formal contexts.
お子こさま
Common kana-mixed spelling, often used in customer-facing materials for a softer impression.

Etymology

Polite form of 子 (こ, child) with honorific prefix お and suffix 様 (さま), a respectful title.

お子こ様さまランチ

kid's meal; children's lunch set