Meaning and Usage
"赤ん坊" (あかんぼう) specifically refers to a very young baby, typically a newborn or infant. It is a common, neutral term used in everyday conversation to talk about babies.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "赤ん坊" when discussing childcare, parenting, or describing a baby's behavior. It emphasizes the early stage of life, often before the child can walk or talk.
Collocations and Patterns
- 赤ん坊が泣く (あかんぼうがなく): the baby cries — a frequent observation or concern.
- 赤ん坊の世話 (あかんぼうのせわ): taking care of a baby — common in parenting contexts.
- 赤ん坊の頃 (あかんぼうのころ): when (someone) was a baby — used to talk about early childhood.
Register and Nuance
"赤ん坊" is polite and neutral, suitable for both casual and formal situations. It is more specific than the general word "子供" (child) and less formal than "乳児" (infant, medical term).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "赤ん坊" with "赤ちゃん" (あかちゃん), which also means baby. "赤ちゃん" is more affectionate and often used by parents or close family, while "赤ん坊" is slightly more neutral and can be used more broadly.