How to say "youthful" in Japanese

• 若いわかいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe general word for being young in age; it can also suggest a youthful look or manner, but its core sense is simply 'young'. Choose it when age itself is the point.
  「彼女かのじょは若わかいですか」「はい」↗

  "Is she young?" "Yes, she is."
• 若々しいわかわかしいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe word for 'youthful' as young-looking: it describes a youthful appearance, energy, or spirit — someone who seems younger than they are. Use it for the quality of youthfulness rather than actual age.
  その年としになってもまだ彼女かのじょは若々わかわかしい少女しょうじょの面影おもかげを保たもっていた。↗

  At her age, she still preserved the appearance of a young girl.
• 弱小じゃくしょうCommon
  na-adjective, nounThis is seldom the word you want for 'youthful': it really describes something as small and weak, not a young appearance or youthful spirit.

For 'youthful', use 「若い」 when you simply mean young in age, 「若々しい」 for a young-looking appearance or youthful spirit, and avoid 弱小, which really means small and weak rather than youthful.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 若いわかいyoung
• 若々しいわかわかしいyouthful
• 若やかわかやかyouthful
• うら若いうらわかいyoung
• 年若としわかyoung
• 年若いとしわかいyoung
• 弱小じゃくしょうyoung