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A2 noun 9 min de lecture

子女

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 子女 en 30 secondes

Explication 子女 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn '孩子' (háizi) for children. You might encounter '子女' (zǐnǚ) in very basic forms or when learning the characters for 'son' (子) and 'daughter' (女). At this stage, you should just recognize that '子女' is a formal way to say 'children' and that it literally means 'son and daughter.' You don't need to use it in daily conversation yet, but seeing it on a name tag or a simple family tree diagram is common. Focus on the fact that the two characters you already know (son and daughter) combine to make a single word for 'offspring.' This is a great example of how Chinese compound words work. Even at this early stage, knowing the difference between a casual word and a formal word helps you understand the 'politeness' levels in Chinese culture. If you see '子女' in a textbook, think of it as the 'official' version of the kids you are talking about.

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At the A2 level, you are expected to understand the difference between casual and formal registers. '子女' (zǐnǚ) becomes important when you start learning about social topics like family structures or the 'One-Child Policy' (独生子女政策). You should be able to use '子女' in simple written sentences, especially when writing about family responsibilities or formal introductions. For example, '他有两名子女' (He has two children) is a perfectly appropriate A2 sentence for a formal context. You should also start noticing that '子女' is used in news titles or school announcements. At this level, you might still use '孩子' most of the time, but you should recognize '子女' as the 'correct' word for forms and official settings. You should also be aware that it doesn't just mean 'young kids' but refers to anyone's son or daughter, regardless of age.

By B1, you should be comfortable switching between '孩子' and '子女' based on who you are talking to and what you are writing. In B1 level essays, using '子女' when discussing societal issues—like the education of children or the duty to care for elderly parents—is expected. You will encounter '子女' frequently in reading passages about Chinese society, economy, or law. You should also learn common collocations like '抚养子女' (to raise children) and '赡养父母' (to support parents), which often appear together in discussions about family ethics. At this stage, you should understand that '子女' is a relational term; it defines a person by their connection to their parents. You will also start to see it in more complex grammar patterns, such as '作为子女...' (As a child/offspring...), which is a common way to start a sentence about filial duties.

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At the B2 level, your understanding of '子女' (zǐnǚ) should include its nuances in legal and sociological contexts. You should be able to discuss complex topics like '进城务工人员随迁子女' (children of migrant workers) or the legal rights of '子女' in inheritance law. You should also be able to distinguish '子女' from similar formal terms like '儿女' (more literary/emotional) or '后代' (descendants). At B2, you are expected to use '子女' naturally in formal presentations or academic writing. You should also be aware of the cultural connotations of the word, specifically how it relates to the traditional Chinese family unit and the expectations placed upon offspring. Your vocabulary should now include variations like '养子女' (adopted children) or '继子女' (step-children), which are common in legal and formal social discussions.

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At the C1 level, '子女' (zǐnǚ) is a word you use with precision. You understand its historical weight and how it appears in classical-style modern prose. You can analyze texts where '子女' is used to create a specific tone—perhaps a cold, detached legal tone or a formal, respectful tone in a eulogy. You should be familiar with idiomatic expressions or formal four-character phrases that might include these characters, even if '子女' itself is a modern compound. At this level, you might explore the philosophical implications of '子女' in Confucian thought, where the role of the offspring is central to social harmony. You should be able to navigate highly technical documents, such as insurance contracts or civil codes, where the definitions of '子女' are strictly delineated to include biological, adopted, and step-children.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '子女' (zǐnǚ). you can use it in high-level diplomatic, legal, or literary contexts. You might use it in a scholarly article about demographic shifts in East Asia or in a formal speech at a high-profile family event. You understand the subtle shift in meaning if a writer chooses '子女' over '儿女' in a novel—perhaps to indicate a character's emotional distance or their focus on duty over affection. You are also aware of how the term is used in modern political discourse, such as in discussions about '子女教育金' (education funds) or population aging. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise communication, allowing you to navigate the most formal levels of Chinese society with ease and cultural sensitivity.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

子女 en 30 secondes

子女 means sons and daughters collectively.
It is much more formal than the common word 孩子.
It is used in legal, official, and academic contexts.
It defines a relationship, not an age group.

The term 子女 (zǐnǚ) is a compound noun in Chinese that literally translates to "son and daughter." In practical usage, it is the standard formal term for "children" when referring to them in relation to their parents. While the word 孩子 (háizi) is the go-to word for "child" or "children" in casual conversation, 子女 carries a more formal, official, and relational weight. It is used to describe the biological or legal offspring of a person, regardless of their current age. This means a 50-year-old man is still the 子女 of his 80-year-old parents in a legal or formal context.

Formal Context: In legal documents, census forms, and formal speeches, 子女 is the required term. For example, a law regarding inheritance will always use 子女 rather than 孩子 because it specifically denotes the legal relationship of being an offspring.
Collective Offspring: When talking about the general concept of children in society or the responsibility of parents to their offspring, 子女 is preferred. It encompasses both sons and daughters equally, reflecting the traditional Chinese emphasis on family lineage.

父母应该关心子女的成长。 (Parents should care about the growth of their children.)

Example of a formal statement regarding parental responsibility.

Understanding the nuance between 子女 and 孩子 is crucial for achieving an A2/B1 level of proficiency. If you are filling out a visa application or writing a formal letter to a school, use 子女. If you are asking a friend how many kids they have while having coffee, 孩子 is more natural. However, even in casual settings, if the conversation turns toward the duty of children to support their elderly parents, the word 子女 often surfaces to signify the weight of that biological bond.

他有三名子女，都已经在工作了。 (He has three children, all of whom are already working.)

Historically, the term highlights the binary nature of traditional family structures. In modern linguistics, it remains the standard gender-neutral way to say "offspring." Even in the era of the One-Child Policy (独生子女政策), the term 子女 was the official designation used in all government slogans and policies. It implies a sense of belonging and duty that the more colloquial 孩子 (which can simply mean "a young person") does not always convey.

Educational Context: Schools often send notices to 子女's parents. Here, 子女 emphasizes the student's status as the offspring of the recipient.

Using 子女 (zǐnǚ) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a collective or relational noun. It functions similarly to the English word "offspring" or "sons and daughters." Unlike 孩子, which can be a direct address (e.g., "Hey, kid!"), you can never call out to someone by saying "Hey, 子女!" It is always used in the third person to describe a relationship.

Pattern: [Parent] + 的 + 子女: This is the most common way to show possession or relationship. "王先生的子女" (Mr. Wang's children). This emphasizes the biological or legal link.
Pattern: [Number] + 名/位 + 子女: When counting children in a formal way, use the measure words 名 (míng) for a neutral formal tone or 位 (wèi) for a highly respectful tone. "他有两名子女。" (He has two children.)

许多父母为了子女的教育搬到了城市。 (Many parents moved to the city for their children's education.)

In this sentence, 子女 is used to speak about children in a general, slightly more elevated sociological sense. If you used 孩子, it would sound like a casual conversation among neighbors. Using 子女 makes it sound like a news report or a formal discussion about demographics.

Another common structure involves the term 独生子女 (dúshēng zǐnǚ), meaning "only child." This term is iconic in modern Chinese history due to the family planning policies. You will almost never hear "独生孩子"; it is always 独生子女. This shows how the word is cemented in administrative and social terminology.

作为独生子女，他感到了很大的压力。 (As an only child, he felt a lot of pressure.)

Relational Verbs: Verbs like 抚养 (fǔyǎng - to raise/nurture) and 赡养 (shànyǎng - to support/provide for parents) are frequently paired with 子女. These pairs create a formal register that discusses the cycle of care within a family.

When writing essays (especially for HSK exams), using 子女 instead of 孩子 when discussing family dynamics or social issues will significantly improve your formal tone score. It signals to the reader that you understand the difference between talking about "kids" and talking about "offspring as a social unit."

You will encounter 子女 (zǐnǚ) in several specific real-world environments. Understanding these contexts helps you avoid using it in places where it might sound overly stiff or robotic.

1. Government and Administration: If you go to a local police station (派出所) to register your residence or apply for a visa at an entry-exit bureau, the forms will ask for the number of 子女. The official will ask, "您有子女吗？" (Do you have children?) rather than the casual "你有孩子吗？"
2. News and Media: News anchors reporting on education trends, demographic shifts, or parenting laws will exclusively use 子女. For instance, "进城务工人员随迁子女" is a standard phrase in Chinese news referring to the children of migrant workers who move to cities with their parents.

政府正在改善农村子女的教育条件。 (The government is improving the educational conditions for children in rural areas.)

In literature and drama, 子女 is used to create a sense of gravitas. In a historical drama, a patriarch might talk about the future of his 子女 to emphasize the continuity of the family line. It sounds much more dignified than the modern, colloquial 孩子.

Another common place is in the workplace during HR discussions. If an employee is applying for "maternity leave" or "parental leave," the company handbook will refer to the care of 子女. Similarly, insurance policies for family members will list 子女 as potential beneficiaries.

3. Academic and Scientific Research: Sociologists studying family structures in China will use 子女 to categorize research subjects. You'll see terms like "子女教育" (children's education) and "子女养老" (children providing for the elderly) in academic papers.

这项研究调查了子女数量对家庭幸福感的影响。 (This study investigated the impact of the number of children on family happiness.)

While 子女 (zǐnǚ) is a relatively straightforward noun, its formal nature leads to several common pitfalls for English speakers who are used to the versatile word "children."

Mistake 1: Using '子女' for 'Kids' in general: In English, you can say "Look at those children playing in the park." In Chinese, you cannot say "看那些子女在公园里玩。" This sounds bizarre because 子女 must be someone's specific offspring. For general "kids," you must use 孩子 or 小朋友 (xiǎopéngyǒu).
Mistake 2: Using it as a Term of Address: A parent would never call their children into the house by shouting "子女们，吃饭了！" (Children, time to eat!). They would use their names or the casual 孩子们. 子女 is a descriptor of a category, not a name for the people in it.

我爱我的子女。 (I love my children - grammatically okay, but sounds like a legal declaration.)
我爱我的孩子们。 (Much more natural and warm.)

Another mistake involves the measure word. While 个 (gè) is the universal measure word, using it with 子女 in a formal context can sometimes feel slightly mismatched. If you are aiming for a high level of formal Chinese, try to use 名 (míng). However, in semi-formal speech, 个 is acceptable.

Finally, remember that 子女 is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot say "a children book" using 子女. For that, you would use 儿童 (értóng), as in 儿童读物. 子女 is strictly about the parent-child relationship.

Mistake 3: Age Restriction: Some learners think 子女 only refers to young children. This is incorrect. It refers to the status of being someone's offspring. An adult is still the 子女 of their elderly parents.

To truly master 子女 (zǐnǚ), you must see how it fits into the broader family of Chinese words for "children." Each has a specific register and usage scenario.

1. 孩子 (háizi): Usage: Casual, everyday speech.
Comparison: While 子女 emphasizes the relationship to parents, 孩子 can simply refer to any young person. You can call a random kid on the street "孩子," but never "子女."
2. 儿女 (érnǚ): Usage: Literary, emotional, poetic.
Comparison: 儿女 is used when you want to evoke the warmth of family or the specific presence of both boys and girls. 子女 is the administrative equivalent.
3. 儿童 (értóng): Usage: Formal, age-based.
Comparison: 儿童 refers to a specific age group (usually under 14). It does not imply a relationship to a parent. A "Children's Hospital" is 儿童医院, not 子女医院.

Comparison Chart:
- 子女: Offspring (Formal/Legal)
- 孩子: Kids (Casual/General)
- 儿女: Sons and Daughters (Emotional/Literary)
- 儿童: Children (Age category/Scientific)

In some contexts, you might also hear 后代 (hòudài), which means "descendants" or "future generations." This is much broader than 子女 and can refer to grandchildren and beyond. If a family is very traditional, they might use 子嗣 (zǐsì), a very formal and somewhat archaic word specifically for male heirs or offspring to carry on the name.

Finally, consider the word 小辈 (xiǎobèi). This is a relational term used by older family members to refer to the younger generation (including children, nieces, nephews, etc.). It emphasizes the generational hierarchy rather than the direct parent-child link of 子女.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient Chinese, '子' was often used to refer to sons specifically, while '女' referred to daughters. Combining them into '子女' created a gender-inclusive term that has been used for over two thousand years.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tsɨ˨˩˦ ny˨˩˦/

US /dzɪ˨˩˦ nju˨˩˦/

Both syllables carry the third tone. When two third tones are together, the first usually changes to a second tone (zǐ -> zí), but in slow speech, both maintain their dipping quality.

Rime avec

女子 (nǚzǐ) 举止 (jǔzhǐ) 彼此 (bǐcǐ) 史诗 (shǐshī) 雨衣 (yǔyī) 旅居 (lǚjū) 女婿 (nǚxu) 虚拟 (xūnǐ)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'nü' as 'nu' (like 'noo'). You must round your lips for the 'ü'.
Using the wrong tones, making it sound like 'consult' (咨询 zīxún).
Ignoring the tone sandhi (the first third tone should change to second tone in natural speech).
Confusing 'zi' with 'zhi'. Keep the tongue flat behind the teeth for 'zi'.
Dropping the 'n' sound in 'nü' and just making a vowel sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The characters are basic, but the formal usage requires context.

Écriture 3/5

Writing the character '女' correctly with the 'ü' in pinyin takes practice.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to say, but must be used in the right social register.

Écoute 2/5

Common in news and formal announcements.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

儿子 (Son) 女儿 (Daughter) 子 (Child) 女 (Female)

Apprends ensuite

抚养 (To raise) 赡养 (To support) 独生 (Only child) 义务 (Obligation)

Avancé

子嗣 (Offspring/Heir) 后裔 (Descendant) 伦理 (Ethics)

Grammaire à connaître

Measure Words for People

两名子女 (Two children - formal), 两位子女 (Two children - respectful).

Nouns as Modifiers

子女教育 (Children's education).

The 'Men' Plural Suffix

子女们 (Children - collective group).

Possessive 'De'

父母的子女 (Parents' children).

Abstract Noun Compounds

独生子女政策 (One-child policy).

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Exemples par niveau

他有两个子女。

He has two children.

Simple [Number] + [Measure Word] + 子女 structure.

子女爱父母。

Children love their parents.

General statement about the relationship.

你有几个子女？

How many children do you have?

Asking for a number in a formal way.

这是我的子女。

These are my children.

Using '这' to introduce family members.

子女在学校。

The children are at school.

Locative structure with 子女.

她没有子女。

She doesn't have any children.

Negation using '没有'.

子女都很高。

The children are all very tall.

Using '都' for 'all'.

子女喜欢吃苹果。

The children like to eat apples.

Simple verb-object structure.

他是独生子女。

He is an only child.

Introduction of the term '独生子女'.

父母要照顾子女。

Parents need to take care of their children.

Using the modal verb '要' (need to).

子女应该听父母的话。

Children should listen to their parents.

Using '应该' (should) for obligation.

她的子女都在国外学习。

Her children are all studying abroad.

Combining '子女' with a location and action.

这名子女非常有礼貌。

This child is very polite.

Using '名' as a formal measure word.

子女的教育很重要。

Children's education is very important.

Possessive '的' used with a noun phrase.

他为子女买了一套房子。

He bought a house for his children.

Using '为' (for) to show benefit.

子女们长大了。

The children have grown up.

Adding '们' for plural and '了' for change of state.

为了子女的未来，他们工作很辛苦。

For their children's future, they work very hard.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

法律规定父母有抚养子女的义务。

The law stipulates that parents have the obligation to raise their children.

Formal vocabulary: '规定' (stipulate), '抚养' (raise), '义务' (obligation).

许多独生子女感到孤独。

Many only children feel lonely.

Discussing social/psychological states.

子女成年后应该独立生活。

Children should live independently after they reach adulthood.

Using '...后' (after) and '独立' (independent).

他把所有的财产都留给了子女。

He left all his property to his children.

The '把' construction for disposal.

作为子女，我们应该多陪陪父母。

As children, we should spend more time with our parents.

The '作为...' (As a...) structure.

政府关注贫困家庭子女的教育问题。

The government pays attention to the education of children from poor families.

Formal verb '关注' (pay attention to).

子女的性格受家庭环境影响很大。

Children's personalities are greatly influenced by the family environment.

Passive meaning with '受...影响'.

随着社会的发展，子女的观念也在改变。

With social development, children's concepts are also changing.

Using '随着...' (Along with...) to show change over time.

父母不应该过度干涉子女的私人生活。

Parents should not excessively interfere in their children's private lives.

Formal verb '干涉' (interfere).

该政策旨在保障随迁子女的入学权利。

This policy aims to guarantee the right of migrant children to enter school.

Official terminology: '旨在' (aimed at), '保障' (guarantee).

赡养老人是子女应尽的法律责任。

Supporting the elderly is a legal responsibility that children should fulfill.

Formal phrase '应尽的法律责任' (legal responsibility one should fulfill).

即使子女已经结婚，父母依然很操心。

Even if the children are already married, parents still worry a lot.

Conjunction '即使...依然...' (Even if... still...).

子女的成功是父母最大的心愿。

The success of their children is the parents' greatest wish.

Abstract noun '心愿' (wish/aspiration).

他对待养子女和亲生子女一视同仁。

He treats his adopted children and biological children equally.

Idiom '一视同仁' (treat equally without discrimination).

子女的叛逆期往往让父母感到头疼。

The rebellious period of children often gives parents a headache.

Psychological term '叛逆期' (rebellious phase).

在传统观念中，多子多福是很多家庭对子女的期待。

In traditional concepts, 'many children, much fortune' is the expectation many families have for their offspring.

Integrating cultural idioms like '多子多福'.

法律明确了继子女与继父母之间的权利义务关系。

The law clarifies the relationship of rights and obligations between stepchildren and stepparents.

Precise legal language: '明确' (clarify), '继子女' (stepchildren).

如何平衡事业与子女教育是现代父母面临的难题。

How to balance career and children's education is a difficult problem faced by modern parents.

Using '如何' (how) in a formal query/topic.

子女的价值观往往是家庭教育的缩影。

Children's values are often a miniature reflection of family education.

Metaphorical use of '缩影' (epitome/miniature reflection).

该研究探讨了子女离家后对父母心理健康的影响。

The study explored the impact on parents' mental health after children leave home.

Academic verb '探讨' (explore/discuss).

无论子女身在何处，父母的牵挂永远都在。

No matter where the children are, the parents' concern is always there.

Literary structure '无论...永远...'.

我们要加强对未成年子女的法律保护。

We must strengthen the legal protection of minor children.

Official phrase '未成年子女' (minor children).

子女的成就往往建立在父母的自我牺牲之上。

Children's achievements are often built upon the self-sacrifice of their parents.

Complex prepositional structure '建立在...之上'.

在儒家伦理中，子女对父母的孝道被视为社会稳定的基石。

In Confucian ethics, the filial piety of children toward their parents is regarded as the cornerstone of social stability.

High-level academic/philosophical vocabulary.

法律严禁任何形式的对子女的虐待与忽视。

The law strictly forbids any form of abuse or neglect of children.

Strong legal prohibitions: '严禁' (strictly forbid).

子女与父母之间的代际冲突是社会变迁的必然产物。

The intergenerational conflict between children and parents is an inevitable product of social change.

Sociological terms: '代际冲突' (intergenerational conflict), '必然产物' (inevitable product).

通过信托基金，他确保了子女在未来的经济安全。

Through a trust fund, he ensured the financial security of his children in the future.

Financial/Legal context: '信托基金' (trust fund).

文学作品常通过子女的视角来审视家族的兴衰。

Literary works often examine the rise and fall of a family through the perspective of the children.

Literary criticism: '视角' (perspective), '审视' (examine), '兴衰' (rise and fall).

子女的社会流动性反映了一个国家教育公平的程度。

The social mobility of children reflects the degree of educational equity in a country.

Sociological term: '社会流动性' (social mobility).

在遗产继承中，非婚生子女享有与婚生子女同等的权利。

In inheritance, children born out of wedlock enjoy the same rights as children born within wedlock.

Precise legal terminology for status.

父母对子女的爱往往是无私且不求回报的。

Parents' love for their children is often selfless and does not seek reward.

Sophisticated descriptive adjectives: '无私' (selfless).

Collocations courantes

独生子女

抚养子女

子女教育

成年子女

未成年子女

随迁子女

多名子女

婚生子女

继子女

养子女

Phrases Courantes

子女成群

— To have many children. Often used to describe a bustling, happy family.

他现在子女成群，生活很幸福。

望子成龙

— To hope one's son becomes a dragon (successful). Though it uses '子', it applies to the expectations for '子女'.

每个父母都望子成龙。

膝下子女

— Children who are still young or living at home (literally 'at the knees').

他膝下子女尚幼。

教养子女

— To educate and bring up children.

教养子女是一门艺术。

子女双全

— To have both a son and a daughter, considered the ideal family.

他儿女双全，令人羡慕。

孝顺子女

— Filial children who take good care of their parents.

他有一对非常孝顺的子女。

子女心性

— The nature or character of one's children.

你要了解子女心性。

子女情长

— Deep affection for one's children.

父母总是子女情长。

为子女计

— To plan for the sake of one's children.

做父母的，总要为子女计。

子女绕膝

— To have children playing around one's knees, a sign of domestic bliss.

老人最爱看子女绕膝。

Souvent confondu avec

子女 vs 孩子

孩子 is casual and can mean any young person. 子女 is formal and specifically means offspring.

子女 vs 儿女

儿女 is more emotional/literary. You use it in poetry or heartfelt conversations, while 子女 is for the census office.

子女 vs 儿童

儿童 refers to an age group (young children). 子女 refers to the relationship (offspring of any age).

Expressions idiomatiques

"儿女情长"

— Used for deep emotional ties, often between lovers or family. (Note: uses '儿女' which is related).

不要只顾着儿女情长，要以大局为重。

Literary

"多子多福"

— The more children one has, the more happiness one has.

老人常说多子多福。

Traditional

"望子成龙，望女成凤"

— To hope one's son becomes a dragon and daughter becomes a phoenix (successful).

父母们总是望子成龙，望女成凤。

Common

"养儿防老"

— To raise children to provide for one's old age.

过去的人认为养儿防老。

Traditional

"子承父业"

— A son carries on his father's business/legacy.

他希望子女能子承父业。

Formal

"不孝有三，无后为大"

— There are three ways to be unfilial, and having no offspring is the greatest.

在古代，人们相信不孝有三，无后为大。

Classical/Archaic

"虎父无犬子"

— A brave father will not have a cowardly son (talented parents have talented children).

他这么优秀，真是虎父无犬子。

Colloquial/Complimentary

"怜子如何不丈夫"

— How can a real man not love his children? (Expressing parental love).

鲁迅曾写过：怜子如何不丈夫。

Literary

"破家县令，灭门知府"

— Refers to the vulnerability of one's family/children to corrupt officials (historical context).

古代百姓最怕破家县令，害及子女。

Historical

"舐犊情深"

— Deep parental love (literally: an old cow licking its calf).

父母对子女总是舐犊情深。

Literary

Facile à confondre

子女 vs 后代

Both refer to people coming after you.

子女 is just your immediate sons and daughters. 后代 refers to all future generations (grandchildren, etc.).

他的子女很优秀，他的后代也会很出色。

子女 vs 子孙

Both include the character '子'.

子孙 means 'children and grandchildren.' It is broader than 子女.

他希望子孙满堂。

子女 vs 小辈

Both refer to younger family members.

小辈 is a term of address or category used by elders to refer to anyone younger in the family tree, not just direct offspring.

在长辈面前，小辈要懂礼貌。

子女 vs 学生

In a school context, both are used.

学生 is the role in school. 子女 is the role in the family. A teacher talks about '学生', a parent talks about '子女'.

老师爱学生，父母爱子女。

子女 vs 幼童

Both mean 'children'.

幼童 is a very specific age term (toddler/young child). 子女 is a relationship term.

这些子女中还有几个是幼童。

Structures de phrases

S + 有 + [Number] + 名 + 子女

他有三名子女。

为了 + 子女的 + [Noun]...

为了子女的健康，我们要多做运动。

作为 + 子女，S + 应该...

作为子女，我们应该照顾父母。

S + 对 + 子女 + [Verb]...

父母对子女充满了期待。

子女 + [Verb] + 是 + 父母的 + [Noun]

子女快乐是父母的幸福。

无论是 + 子女 + 还是 + 父母...

无论是子女还是父母，都需要互相理解。

把 + [Noun] + 留给 + 子女

他把所有积蓄都留给了子女。

子女 + 享有 + [Legal Right]

子女享有同等的继承权。

Famille de mots

Noms

独生子女 (Only child)

养子女 (Adopted children)

继子女 (Stepchildren)

非婚生子女 (Children born out of wedlock)

Verbes

抚养 (To raise)

赡养 (To support parents)

教养 (To educate/bring up)

Adjectifs

孝顺 (Filial)

叛逆 (Rebellious)

Apparenté

孩子

父母

家庭

后代

亲属

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in written and formal spoken Chinese; rare in casual speech.

Erreurs courantes

Using 子女 to call a child in the street. → 小朋友 / 孩子
子女 is a relational term, not a general name for a young person.
Saying '我有两个子女' to a close friend. → 我有两个孩子
子女 is too formal for casual chat with friends; it sounds robotic.
Using 子女 to mean 'students' in an essay. → 学生
Even if students are children, the school context requires '学生'. Use '子女' only when discussing their relationship to parents.
Writing '独生孩子' for 'only child'. → 独生子女
This is a fixed term. '独生孩子' is incorrect in Chinese.
Pronouncing 'nü' like 'new'. → nü (rounded lips)
The 'ü' sound is distinct from 'u'. 'Nu' and 'Nü' are different sounds in pinyin.

Astuces

Register Awareness

Always check your setting. If you are in a classroom or at a party, use '孩子'. If you are writing a formal essay for HSK, use '子女'.

The Rounded Ü

To pronounce 'nü' correctly, make the 'ee' sound but round your lips as if you are whistling. Don't let your tongue move!

Filial Piety

When you see '子女', think of 'duty'. In Chinese culture, being a '子女' comes with a lifelong set of expectations to honor and care for parents.

Compound Power

Notice how many formal words use '子女' as a base, like '独生子女' or '养子女'. Mastering this word unlocks many official terms.

Character Stroke Order

The character '女' has a specific stroke order (left-falling, then the horizontal-hook, then the long horizontal). Practice this to make your writing look natural.

Formal Contexts

If you hear '子女' on the news, pay attention to the topic. It's usually about education, law, or social change.

Respectful Inquiries

When asking an elderly person about their family in a formal setting, '您有几位子女？' is very polite and respectful.

Visual Trick

Picture the characters: 子 (a baby) and 女 (a woman). Together they represent the whole family's future generation.

Avoid Direct Address

Never call your own kids '子女'. It sounds like you are treating them like legal entities rather than family members.

HSK Tip

For HSK 3 and above, examiners look for '子女' in writing tasks about family. It shows a higher level of vocabulary control.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Zi' as the son and 'Nü' as the daughter. Together, they make the complete set of 'Children' in a formal family record.

Association visuelle

Imagine a family tree diagram. The branch for 'Children' is labeled '子女' to show both the boy and girl icons.

Word Web

父母 (Parents) 家庭 (Family) 儿子 (Son) 女儿 (Daughter) 独生 (Only) 教育 (Education) 抚养 (Raising) 义务 (Obligation)

Défi

Try to write three sentences about your family using '子女' instead of '孩子' and see how much more professional it sounds.

Origine du mot

The word is a combination of two ancient pictographs. '子' (zǐ) originally depicted a baby with a large head and small body. '女' (nǚ) depicted a kneeling woman. Together, they represent the two genders of offspring.

Sens originel : Sons and daughters; collective offspring.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexte culturel

Be aware that '子女' is gender-binary in its literal characters (son/daughter), but it is used inclusively for all offspring in modern contexts.

English speakers often use 'children' or 'kids' interchangeably. In Chinese, failing to distinguish between '孩子' and '子女' can make one's speech sound either too childish or too robotic.

The One-Child Policy (独生子女政策) Confucius' Analects (discussing filial piety) Modern C-dramas about '子女' education

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Legal Documents

法定子女
继承权
监护权
抚养费

School Forms

子女姓名
家长联系方式
随迁子女
在校表现

News Reports

子女教育
留守子女
二胎政策
人口老龄化

Formal Speeches

各位子女
为了子女的未来
孝敬父母
家庭和谐

Medical Forms

子女病史
紧急联系人
直系亲属
过敏情况

Amorces de conversation

"您有几名子女？ (How many children do you have? - Formal)"

"现在的子女教育压力是不是很大？ (Is the pressure of children's education very high nowadays?)"

"您觉得独生子女和多子女家庭有什么区别？ (What do you think are the differences between only-child and multi-child families?)"

"作为子女，我们应该如何回报父母？ (As children, how should we repay our parents?)"

"在您的国家，子女成年后通常会和父母住在一起吗？ (In your country, do children usually live with their parents after reaching adulthood?)"

Sujets d'écriture

写一写你对‘独生子女政策’的看法。 (Write about your views on the 'One-Child Policy'.)

描述一下作为子女，你觉得最重要的一项责任是什么。 (Describe what you think is the most important responsibility as a child.)

谈谈你对现代社会子女教育问题的观察。 (Discuss your observations on the issue of children's education in modern society.)

如果你有子女，你最希望他们学到什么样的价值观？ (If you have children, what values do you most hope they learn?)

比较一下‘子女’和‘孩子’在不同场合的使用。 (Compare the use of '子女' and '孩子' in different occasions.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes. Even though the word literally means 'son and daughter,' it is a collective term for 'offspring.' If someone has only one son, he is still their '子女' in a formal context.

Absolutely. In Chinese, you are always the '子女' of your parents, whether you are 5 or 55. It describes the biological/legal relationship, not the age.

Use '孩子' in 90% of daily conversations. Use '子女' only when you want to sound very formal, or when you are filling out official paperwork.

Yes, in a legal sense. You can specify '养子女' (yǎngzǐnǚ) for adopted children, but in general formal contexts, '子女' covers all legal offspring.

Because of China's historical population policies. It was the official term used in law and propaganda, so it became the standard way to say 'only child.'

It sounds a bit stiff. It's like saying 'my offspring' in English. It's better to say '我的孩子' or '我儿子/女儿'.

The most formal is '名' (míng). '个' (gè) is also used in less formal writing. '位' (wèi) is used for a very respectful tone.

Yes. '子女' is administrative and cold. '儿女' is warm, literary, and emotional. You'll find '儿女' in songs and '子女' in tax forms.

No. For animals, we use '后代' (offspring) or '小动物' (young animals). '子女' is strictly for humans.

It can be both. Context determines the number. If you say '我有子女', it usually implies you have at least one child.

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Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Translate to Chinese: 'He has two children, a son and a daughter.' (Use formal register)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses '名' and '子女' for formal tone.