Meaning and Usage
The word "男" (おとこ) primarily means "man" or "male" and is used to refer to adult males or males in general. It can also be used to refer to boys (男の子) or men (男の人).
Common Collocations
- 男の子 (おとこのこ): boy, male child
- 男の人 (おとこのひと): man, adult male
- 男らしい (おとこらしい): manly, masculine
Usage Notes
"男" is a basic and common noun used in everyday conversation. When referring to a boy, the compound "男の子" is used, while "男の人" is more polite and refers to an adult man. The word can also appear in adjectives like "男らしい" to describe masculine traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "男" with "男子" (だんし), which is more formal and often used in contexts like schools or sports teams. "男" is more general and colloquial.
Register and Politeness
"男" is neutral in politeness and can be used in casual and formal contexts, but when addressing or referring to someone politely, "男性" (だんせい) is often preferred.