When I was a kid...

[chryuop]

”子供の時に”は”子供の頃に”と同じですか。

[siamtos]

ころ＝だいたいそのとき around xx
ときsounds exactly when

[chryuop]

Thanx Siamtos san...nice to see you in this forum as well. I always love reading you posts.

[Nagoyankee]

I just want to add that careful writers do not write こども in kanji in present-day Japan. They use either こども or 子ども. You won't see 子供 used in prestigeous newspapers or magazines. In schools, too, it's been actively discouraged in Japanese classes if not in other subjects.

[dougbrowne]

Originally Posted by Nagoyankee

I just want to add that careful writers do not write こども in kanji in present-day Japan. They use either こども or 子ども. You won't see 子供 used in prestigeous newspapers or magazines. In schools, too, it's been actively discouraged in Japanese classes if not in other subjects.

Out of curiosity, why exactly is that?

[kirakira]

Originally Posted by dougbrowne

Out of curiosity, why exactly is that?

Well apparently, the character 供 has bad connotations. 子供 when written in Kanji, give the connotation of 供（そな）え物, or offering, making it sound like children are a offering to adults.

Although some people couldn't really care less whether it's written in Kanji, Kana or whatever, there are some who feel strongly about this. Weird huh.

They should have chosen another character, but it's too late now.

[KyleGoetz]

Japan, just change it to 子友 and be done with it!

[kirakira]

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

Japan, just change it to 子友 and be done with it!

KyleGoetz, you are genius. I like that one!