Wakai in Translation

Young people confused
by Namiko Abe
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
Updated January 27, 2019

The Japanese word wakai, pronounced "wah-kai", means "young", "younger", "inexperienced", "immature", or "green".

Japanese Characters

若い (わかい)

Example

Miki wa itsu mitemo wakai.
美樹はいつ見ても若い。		 Miki always looks young.
Chikagoro no wakai mono wa nani o kangaeteiru no ka wakaranai.
近頃の若い者は何を考えているのかわからない。		 I can't tell what young people these days are thinking.

Notes

"Wakai" is a Japanese adjective. Learn more about Japanese adjectives.