How to Say ‘Child (polite)’ in Japanese
お子様
o ko sama
[oh koh sah-mah]
💬 Usage Tip: The [お] and [様] make this a polite customer-service word for a child. You'll often hear places say [お子様ランチ] or [お子様用].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Staff often use [お子様] to speak respectfully about a customer's child. Adults usually say it to staff too when being polite, especially in restaurants, hotels, or clinics.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix added to make the word more respectful.
お子様用のいすはありますか。
Do you have a chair for children?
子
ko
[koh]
child
The core kanji meaning child, used in polite words like お子様.
お子様連れでも大丈夫ですか。
Is it okay if we come with a child?
様
sama
[sah-mah]
honorific suffix; person of status
A respectful element often used in polite service language.
お子様用のメニューはありますか。
Do you have a menu for children?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager