幼稚
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Base na-adjective form. Used to describe someone or something as immature or like a child. Attach 『な』 (na) before a noun, e.g., 『幼稚な人』 (youchi na hito, 'childish person').
Theme
Two coworkers, Ken and User, are chatting during a break about a new video game that some colleagues find silly.
幼稚
ようち
childish / infantile
People & IdentityEmotions & Personality
Memory Hook
Imagine a toddler acting silly — you might say they're 'young and childish.' Think of 'young' (yōnen) and 'childish' (幼稚 youchi) — 'You-chi' sounds like 'you, child!'
Cultural Note
In Japanese, 『幼稚』 (youchi) is often used to describe behavior that is immature or not age-appropriate, similar to calling someone 'childish' in English. It can be used in both positive (e.g., playful innocence) and negative (e.g., immature) contexts.
Forms
Base: 幼稚Base na-adjective form. Used to describe someone or something as immature or like a child. Attach 『な』 (na) before a noun, e.g., 『幼稚な人』 (youchi na hito, 'childish person').
Negative: 幼稚じゃないAdd 『じゃない』 (janai, 'is not') after the base form → 『幼稚じゃない』 (youchi janai). Polite form is 『幼稚ではありません』 (youchi dewa arimasen).
Past: 幼稚だったAdd 『だった』 (datta, past) after the base form → 『幼稚だった』 (youchi datta). Polite form is 『幼稚でした』 (youchi deshita).
Adverbial: 幼稚にAdd 『に』 (ni, adverbial) after the base form → 『幼稚に』 (youchi ni). Used to modify verbs, e.g., 『幼稚に行動する』 (youchi ni koudou suru, 'to act childishly').
Comparative: より幼稚Comparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective, e.g., 『より幼稚な人』 (yori youchi na hito, 'more childish person').
Superlative: 一番幼稚Superlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'most') + base adjective, e.g., 『一番幼稚な人』 (ichiban youchi na hito, 'the most childish person').