also: まなご
beloved child; dear child
A somewhat literary or emotional term for a child who is deeply loved, often used in poetic or affectionate contexts.
She held her beloved child tightly to her chest.
The poem expresses feelings for a lost dear child.
He is said to be a beloved child of God.
The parents raised their beloved child with great care.
愛息 is a formal term used specifically for a beloved son, while 愛し子 is more emotional and gender-neutral.
counter for people
Standard kanji spelling for the reading いとしご.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling.
Alternate kanji spelling; can also be read まなご.
Rare reading まなご for the kanji 愛子.
Compound of 愛し (itoshii, 'dear, beloved') + 子 (ko, 'child'). The reading まなご is from 愛 (mana, an old root meaning 'dear') + 子 (ko).