Meaning and Usage
"大人" (おとな) primarily means "adult" or "grown-up" in Japanese. It refers to a person who is mature, typically someone who has reached the age of majority.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "大人" used when talking about age distinctions, such as in phrases like "大人料金" (adult fare) or "大人向け" (for adults). It can also imply maturity in behavior, as in "大人のマナー" (adult manners).
Collocations and Patterns
- 大人になる: to become an adult
- 大人向け: intended for adults
- 大人料金: adult price or fare
- 大人のマナー: adult manners or etiquette
Usage Notes
"大人" is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, when referring to someone's maturity, it often implies expected responsible behavior. Be careful not to confuse "大人" with "おとなしい" (quiet, gentle), which sounds similar but has a different meaning.
Summary
Understanding "大人" helps you distinguish between children and adults in conversation and recognize references to maturity or age-specific content.