The word '孩子' is the most natural and versatile term to refer to a child, whether in a familial or general social context.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a young person or offspring.
- Commonly used in both family and social contexts.
- Can refer to a specific child or children in general.
常见语境：在家庭聚会、学校教育、社会新闻及日常谈论子女时最为常用。例如，“这孩子很聪明”常用于对儿童的称赞。
- 1近义词比较：'儿童'（children）语感较正式，多用于法律、教育或正式书面语；'小孩'（kid/little one）语感更口语化，常用于非正式场合；'子女'（offspring）强调血缘关系，多用于正式或法律文书。
Examples
这孩子非常聪明。
everydayThis child is very smart.
我们需要保护儿童的权益。
formalWe need to protect children's rights.
快过来，我的小孩子。
informalCome here, my little one.
该研究关注儿童心理发展。
academicThe study focuses on child psychological development.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
孩子气
childish
生孩子
give birth to a child
单亲孩子
single-parent child
Often Confused With
Refers to children in a formal, legal, or educational sense. It is less personal than '孩子'.
A more casual, colloquial synonym for 'child'. Often used to emphasize the small size or age.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '孩子' is neutral and can be used in almost all daily scenarios. Use '孩子们' when you want to emphasize a group. Avoid using '孩子' when addressing a stranger's adult child unless you are significantly older than them.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often forget the measure word '个' (e.g., '一个孩子'). Also, avoid using '孩子们' when referring to a single child. Finally, don't use '孩子' in formal legal documents where '儿童' is expected.
Tips
Use '孩子们' for plural
Adding '们' makes the noun plural. Use '孩子们' when referring to a group of children specifically.
Avoid '孩子' for formal legal terms
In legal or official documents, use '儿童' or '未成年人' instead of '孩子' to maintain professional tone.
The concept of 'Filial Piety'
In Chinese culture, the relationship between parents and children is central. Calling someone your '孩子' carries a deep sense of responsibility and lifelong connection.
Word Origin
The character '孩' is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the 'child' radical with a phonetic component, representing the concept of a young human being.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, children are often viewed as the continuation of the family line. The term '孩子' reflects the deep emotional bond and duty between generations.
Memory Tip
Think of the character '子' as a small person. '孩' includes the 'child' radical, making it easy to associate with youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者意思基本相同，都可以互换使用。不过“小孩”听起来更口语、更随意，“孩子”则稍微正式一点，且在表达亲属关系时（如“我的孩子”）更为常用。
可以。在父母眼中，无论子女多大，永远都是他们的“孩子”。这是一种表达亲情和关爱的称呼。
汉语名词没有严格的复数变化。如果想表达复数，可以在前面加数量词，如“两个孩子”，或者加“们”，即“孩子们”。
常用。但在非常正式的法律或学术文件中，通常会使用“儿童”或“未成年人”来替代。
Test Yourself
公园里有很多___在玩耍。
在泛指一群孩子时，加上“们”字更自然。
如果要写一份关于保护未成年人的报告，应该用哪个词？
“儿童”是书面语和法律用语，比其他选项更正式。
我的 / 孩子 / 很 / 听话
标准的中文主谓宾结构。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '孩子' is the most natural and versatile term to refer to a child, whether in a familial or general social context.
- Refers to a young person or offspring.
- Commonly used in both family and social contexts.
- Can refer to a specific child or children in general.
Use '孩子们' for plural
Adding '们' makes the noun plural. Use '孩子们' when referring to a group of children specifically.
Avoid '孩子' for formal legal terms
In legal or official documents, use '儿童' or '未成年人' instead of '孩子' to maintain professional tone.
The concept of 'Filial Piety'
In Chinese culture, the relationship between parents and children is central. Calling someone your '孩子' carries a deep sense of responsibility and lifelong connection.
Examples
4 of 4这孩子非常聪明。
This child is very smart.
我们需要保护儿童的权益。
We need to protect children's rights.
快过来，我的小孩子。
Come here, my little one.
该研究关注儿童心理发展。
The study focuses on child psychological development.
