幼い
お
さ
な
い
幼い · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 幼い | 幼くない |
| Polite | 幼いです | 幼くないですalso 幼くありません |
| Past polite | 幼かったです | 幼くなかったですalso 幼くありませんでした |
| Past | 幼かった | 幼くなかった |
| Te-form | 幼くて | 幼くなくて |
| Adverbial | 幼く | |
| Conditional | 幼ければ | 幼くなければ |
| Tara conditional | 幼かったら | 幼くなかったら |
Meanings
1
Describes a child or young animal; emphasizes tender age and innocence.
Very young children are playing in the park.
She has been learning piano since she was little.
2
Used for behavior, thinking, or appearance that seems immature for one's age; can be mildly critical.
I think that way of thinking is childish.
Although he is an adult, his words and actions are immature.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉が幼い(someone's) thinking or behavior is immature
His thinking is still quite immature.
- 〈人〉は幼いながらも〈動詞〉even though (someone) is still very young, they do ~
Even though she's still very young, she's quite mature and responsible.
- 〈人〉の見た目が幼いsomeone looks young or childish for their age
Even though he's an adult, he looks very young.
- 〈人〉の声が幼いsomeone's voice sounds childish or young
That actress has a young-sounding, cute voice.
Expressions
- 幼い頃when one was a very young child; very early in one's life