孤児

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 孤児. Reading: こじ. Core meaning: orphan.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 物語の中で、孤児だった少年は旅人に助けられる / その施設は孤児の生活と学びを長年支えてきた.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Orphan versus foster child
  • 孤児 is a child who has lost parents or lacks parental care. It is not identical to 里子, which describes a child placed in foster care.