2 Japanese words read jidou

jidou (じどう) is shared by 2 distinct words, each with its own kanji and meaning. Jump to: 児童 · 自動.

児童

じどう

Children, school-age children

N3noun·jidou

How to remember it

児 and 童 both mean 'child' — the formal word for school-age children.

Example sentences

  • 児童の数が減っている。

    じどうのかずがへっている。

    The number of children is decreasing.

  • 児童文学を読むのが好きだ。

    じどうぶんがくをよむのがすきだ。

    I like reading children's literature.

Usage

Formal/legal term for school children; 子供 is the everyday, casual word.

Related words

子供生徒児童文学児童生徒

自動

じどう

Automatic, self-moving

N3noun·jidou

How to remember it

自 (self) plus 動 (move) — something that moves or acts by itself.

Example sentences

  • 自動ドアが開いた。

    じどうドアがあいた。

    The automatic door opened.

  • この機械は自動で動く。

    このきかいはじどうでうごく。

    This machine operates automatically.

Usage

Usually a prefix or compound (自動車, 自動ドア); 自動的 for the adjectival form.

Related words

自動車自動的手動機械

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