Translation guide
Describes a child who shows abilities or behavior at an unusually early age. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific adjectives and phrases that highlight early development, often with nuances of being advanced or mature beyond one's years.
Describing a child who demonstrates exceptional intellectual abilities or knowledge earlier than typical.
The most direct equivalent, meaning 'early ripening' or 'precocity'. Used for children who mature intellectually or emotionally early. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は早熟な子供だった。
He was a precocious child.
A common colloquial phrase meaning 'to be precocious' or 'to be mature for one's age'. Often used in everyday conversation. The verb まぜる means 'to make precocious', and ませている is the stative form.
あの子はませているね。
That kid is precocious, isn't he?
Means 'genius-like' or 'prodigious'. Used when the child's abilities are extraordinary, not just advanced. Often implies innate talent.
彼女は天才的な音楽の才能を見せた。
She showed precocious musical talent.
Literally 'smart for one's age'. A straightforward way to describe intellectual precocity. Can be used in any context.
その子は年の割に賢い。
That child is precocious (smart for their age).
Means 'child prodigy'. Used for exceptionally gifted children, often in specific fields like music or mathematics. More dramatic than 早熟.
彼は数学の神童と呼ばれている。
He is called a precocious math prodigy.
Describing a child who behaves in a mature, adult-like manner, often in social situations or emotional understanding.
Also used for emotional/social precocity. Implies the child acts older than they are, sometimes with a negative connotation of being too forward.
彼女はませた口をきく。
She talks in a precocious manner.
Means 'to be adult-like' or 'mature'. Describes a child who looks or acts like an adult. Often used positively.
あの子は大人びた考え方をする。
That child has a precocious way of thinking.
Literally 'is reliable/steady for one's age'. Used when a child shows responsibility or composure beyond their years.
彼は年の割にしっかりしている。
He is precociously responsible.
Describing a child who shows physical development or puberty earlier than peers.
Can also refer to physical precocity, such as early puberty. Often used in medical or formal contexts.
早熟な子供は身体的に早く発達する。
Precocious children develop physically early.
Means 'to develop early'. A neutral, descriptive phrase for early physical growth.
その子は発育が早い。
That child is precocious in physical development.
Describing a skill or talent that appears at an unusually early age, not necessarily the child themselves.
Means 'to display talent from an early age'. Used when describing the emergence of a skill.
彼女は早くから絵の才能を発揮した。
She showed precocious artistic talent.
Literally 'early blooming'. Metaphorically used for a person who achieves success or shows talent early in life. Often contrasted with 遅咲き (late bloomer).
彼は早咲きの天才だった。
He was a precocious genius.
While 早熟 is a direct translation, it is less common in everyday speech. Phrases like ませている or 大人びている are more natural when describing a child's behavior. Using 早熟 in casual conversation may sound overly formal or clinical.
ませている often implies a child is precocious in a way that may be seen as cheeky or overly forward, sometimes with a slightly negative nuance. 大人びている is more neutral or positive, focusing on mature appearance or demeanor without the connotation of being too forward.
彼女は4歳で小説を読むませた子供だった。
She was a precocious child who read novels at age four.
彼のませた行動は先生たちを驚かせた。
His precocious behavior surprised the teachers.