少しょう年ねん

noun

boy; young boy

General term for a male child, typically from early school age up to adolescence. Often used in contrast with 少女 (girl).

• 公こう園えんで少しょう年ねんたちがサッカーをしていた。

  Boys were playing soccer in the park.

• あの少しょう年ねんはとても礼れい儀ぎ正ただしい。

  That boy is very polite.

noun

juvenile; minor; child

Used especially in legal or formal contexts to refer to a person under the age of majority (typically under 18 or 20 in Japan).

• 少しょう年ねん法ほうは二十歳はたち未み満まんの少しょう年ねんに適てき用ようされる。

  The Juvenile Act applies to minors under 20 years of age.