息子・息|むすこmusuko[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Which spelling to use
息子Use 息子 as the more common written form and the recommended choice when learning this word.
息息 is a less common written form; beginners should use 息子 instead.
Definitions
  1. nounson
    The mother whipped sense into her boy.
  2. nounpenis
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym子息しそくFormalFormal term for another person's son, as in 「ご子息」; found in polite settings such as letters and formal speeches.
  • SynonymせがれCasualColloquial and old-fashioned word for your own son, with a humble or rough tone, as in 「うちの倅」; more dated than 「息子」.
  • Synonym令息れいそくFormalHonorific for someone else's son, as in 「ご令息」; weightier than 「息子さん」 and mostly used in writing.
  • Synonym愚息ぐそくFormalFormal, self-deprecating way to refer to your own son, as in 「愚息がお世話になります」.
  • Related坊ちゃんぼっちゃんCasualColloquial way to address someone else's boy; also a spoiled young master, as in 「坊ちゃん育ち」.
  • Relatedお坊ちゃんおぼっちゃんCasualColloquial and politer than 「坊ちゃん」: an affectionate way to speak of another person's little boy, or a jab at a sheltered rich kid.
  • Relatedご令息ごれいそくFormalFormal honorific with the prefix 「ご」 for another person's son, used mainly in written greetings.
  • Related息子さんむすこさんNeutralThe everyday honorific for someone else's son, as in 「息子さんはお元気ですか」; the most commonly used of the set.

Use 「息子」 by default. For another person's son, 「息子さん」 is the everyday choice; 「子息」/「令息」 (often 「ご子息」/「ご令息」) are formal. Humbly refer to your own son with 「愚息」 or 「倅」, and call a boy or young master 「坊ちゃん」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 親おやから見みて、子こである男性だんせい。
  2. (むすこ)陰茎いんけい。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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