Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a 'second son' depends on whose son it is and the level of formality. The most common neutral term is 次男 (jinan), but within a family, 次男坊 (jinanbō) is used affectionately. When talking about your own second son to others, use 次男 (jinan); when talking about someone else's second son politely, use 次男さん (jinan-san) or 二男さん (ninan-san). In formal or written contexts, 二男 (ninan) is also used.
Neutral, standard way to say 'second son' in most contexts.
The most common and neutral term for 'second son'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese, and can refer to one's own or someone else's second son.
彼は次男です。
He is the second son.
次男は医者になりました。
My second son became a doctor.
Also means 'second son', but slightly more formal and often used in written contexts or official documents. Can be used interchangeably with 次男 in many cases.
ご家族はご両親と二男の四人家族です。
The family consists of the parents and their second son, a family of four.
When speaking about your own second son to someone outside your family, use humble language.
When talking about your own second son to others, simply use 次男 without honorifics. This is the standard humble way.
次男はまだ学生です。
My second son is still a student.
When referring to another person's second son politely, add an honorific.
Polite way to refer to someone else's second son. The suffix さん shows respect.
田中さんの次男さんは大学生ですか？
Is Mr. Tanaka's second son a university student?
Polite alternative using 二男. Slightly more formal than 次男さん.
社長の二男さんが来月結婚されます。
The company president's second son is getting married next month.
When speaking within the family or affectionately about a second son.
An affectionate, slightly informal term for a second son, often used by parents or within the family. Can carry a nuance of endearment or sometimes mild teasing.
うちの次男坊はやんちゃで困ります。
Our second son is so mischievous, it's a handful.
When specifying birth order among brothers.
Literally 'second son' (second-number son). A more descriptive phrase that explicitly states birth order. Can be used when clarity is needed.
二番目の息子は来年高校を卒業します。
My second son will graduate from high school next year.
Both mean 'second son', but 次男 (jinan) is more common in everyday speech, while 二男 (ninan) is slightly more formal and often appears in writing or official contexts. They are largely interchangeable, but 次男 is the safer default.
In Japanese, it's very common to refer to family members by their given name plus a kinship term or honorific, rather than using 'second son'. For example, if the second son's name is Kenji, you might say 健二おじさん (Kenji-ojisan) when talking to his nephew. This is often more natural than explicitly stating birth order.