大人（おとな、otona）
- adult
Romaji:
Japanese:
Kana:
OTONA
大人
おとな
大人 (おとな, romaji: otona) means "adult" in Japanese. It is a N5 Mid-level Noun word.
| Meaning: | adult |
| Level: | N5 Mid |
| Lexical Category: | Noun (名詞) |
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AI Explanation
The Japanese word 大人, read as おとな (otona), primarily means "adult" or "grown-up." It refers to a person who has reached a certain age and is considered to be responsible and mature. This definition includes being of legal age to vote, drink alcohol, and enter into contracts. The term can also imply a level of wisdom and experience. The word 大人 can also describe a person of higher status or someone in a position of authority.
⚫︎彼はもう大人だ。 Translation: He is already an adult. ⚫︎大人の意見を聞きなさい。 Translation: Listen to the opinions of adults. ⚫︎大人向けのアニメ Translation: Anime for adults.
You can use 大人 when talking about a person's age, maturity, or role in society. It is a common word used in everyday conversation. It’s important to note the cultural context; what is considered 大人 may vary slightly depending on the situation and the relationship between speakers. You'll often hear it used when referring to someone who is no longer a child or a minor.
⚫︎The word is typically written in kanji as 大人. ⚫︎The hiragana reading is おとな. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana.
⚫︎成人 (seijin) - This term specifically refers to someone who has reached the age of majority (20 in the past, now 18 in Japan). ⚫︎年配者 (nenpaisha) - Elderly person, older person.
⚫︎子供 (kodomo) - Child ⚫︎子ども (kodomo) - Child ⚫︎子供たち (kodomo tachi) - Children ⚫︎若者 (wakamon) - Young person
彼は今年で大人になります。 ・Translation: He will become an adult this year. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the person is reaching the age of majority.
大人の社会では責任が重要です。 ・Translation: Responsibility is important in adult society. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the importance of responsibility in the world of adults.
The kanji 大 (dai/oo-) means "big" or "great," and 人 (jin/hito) means "person." Together, 大人 essentially means "big person" or "great person", signifying someone who has grown in stature (physically and socially) to become a fully-formed human being. The term evolved to describe those who were mature and capable of taking on the responsibilities of society.