ぼこ

See also: ほこ, ほご, ぼご, and ぽこ

Japanese

Etymology 1

Of uncertain derivation. May be from 坊 (bō, “dear, beloved”, particularly as in 赤ん坊 akanbō, “baby”) +‎ 子 (ko, “child”). See also おぼこ (oboko).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [bo̞ko̞]

Noun

ぼこ • (boko) 

1. baby, newborn, infant
2. young child

Synonyms

• (baby): 赤(あか)ん坊(ぼう) (akanbō, “akanbō”)
• (baby): 赤(あか)ちゃん (akachan, “akachan”)
• (baby): 嬰児(えいじ) (eiji, “eiji”)
• (baby): 乳飲児(ちのみご) (chinomigo, “chinomigo”)
• (baby): 幼児(ようじ) (yōji, “yōji”)
• (young child): 童(わらべ) (warabe, “warabe”)
• (young child): 小児(しょうに) (shōni, “shōni”)
• (young child): 稚子(ちし) (chishi, “chishi”)
• (young child): 幼子(おさなご) (osanago, “osanago”)
• (young child): 幼児(ようじ) (yōji, “yōji”)

Etymology 2

Noun

ぼこ • (boko) 

1. 凹: an indentation, a dip or divot, a hollow