infancy

初期段階、黎明期

物事が十分に発達する前の、最初の段階。

やさしい英語で： The first stage of something’s development, before it becomes fully developed.

• The project is in its infancy.
• Online shopping was then in its infancy.
• Research in this field remains in its infancy.

使い方： be in its infancy (The technology is still in its infancy.)

類義語： early stages, beginnings

反対語： maturity

よく使う表現： in its infancy, still in infancy

乳児期

子どもの一生のうち、まだ赤ちゃんである最初の時期。

やさしい英語で： The first part of a child’s life, when they are a baby.

• She was often ill in infancy.
• Good nutrition matters during infancy.
• He had known her since infancy.

類義語： babyhood

よく使う表現： in infancy, early infancy, during infancy, from infancy

未成年

年齢が低く、大人のすべての権利や義務をまだ持たない法的な状態。

やさしい英語で： The legal condition of being too young to have all the rights and duties of an adult.

• The court considered her infancy when reviewing the contract.
• He relied on the defence of infancy.
• Infancy may limit a person’s legal capacity.

類義語： minority

反対語： majority

よく使う表現： during infancy, defence of infancy