also: きじ
noun
abandoned child; foundling
Refers to a child who has been deserted by their parents or guardians, often left in a public place. The term is neutral but can carry a somber tone.
彼は捨て子として教会の前に置かれていた。
He was left as an abandoned child in front of the church.
その捨て子は病院で
The foundling was taken into care at the hospital.
Rare kanji compound with the reading きじ; primarily literary or historical.
Rare spelling; more commonly read as きじ.
Abbreviated spelling without okurigana; encountered in older or compact texts.
Irregular okurigana usage; not recommended for learners.
Variant using 棄 (abandon); less common but still seen.
Uncommon variant using 児; mostly historical.
Compound of 捨て (stem of 捨てる 'to throw away, abandon') + 子 'child'. The kanji 棄 is a synonym of 捨, both meaning 'discard' or 'abandon'.