Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for 'second cousin' is not commonly used in daily conversation. Family terms are often simplified, and the specific relationship may be explained rather than using a single word.
Referring to the child of one's parent's first cousin.
The standard Japanese word for 'second cousin'. It can be written in hiragana or with kanji as 再従兄弟 (for males) or 再従姉妹 (for females), but the hiragana form is common.
彼は私のはとこです。
He is my second cousin.
An alternative word for 'second cousin'. Less common than はとこ, but understood.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the child of my parent's cousin'. Used when the specific term is not known or to clarify the relationship.
親のいとこの子供って、はとこって言うんだよね。
The child of your parent's cousin is called 'hatoko', right?
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers may refer to distant relatives simply as 親戚 (しんせき, relative) or use a more general term like いとこ (cousin) even if the relationship is more distant. The precise term はとこ is not used frequently in daily life.
またいとこに会ったことがありますか？
Have you ever met your second cousin?