noun
child prodigy; wunderkind
A somewhat literary or formal term for a remarkably talented young person, often used in media or praise. The image is of a mythical kirin foal, suggesting rare excellence.
彼は将棋界の麒麟児と呼ばれている。
He is called the wunderkind of the shogi world.
その若きピアニストはまさに麒麟児だ。
That young pianist is truly a child prodigy.
天才 is a general term for genius, applicable to any age. 麒麟児 specifically emphasizes youth and prodigious early achievement.
From 麒麟 (kirin, a mythical giraffe-like creature said to appear when a sage is born) and 児 (child). The term likens a prodigious child to the rare and auspicious offspring of a kirin.