儿童 refers to children, emphasizing their status as minors and is widely applicable.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means child or children, referring to young individuals.
- Commonly used in formal and informal contexts.
- Emphasizes the state of being underage.
Overview
儿童 (ér tóng) 是一个汉语词语，意思是“孩子”或“儿童”。它是一个中性词，广泛用于各种语境，包括家庭、学校、社会和法律等领域。这个词强调的是个体的年龄特征，即尚未成年。在现代汉语中，儿童是一个非常基础和常用的词汇，适用于描述从婴儿到青春期前的所有年轻个体。
儿童通常作为名词使用，可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合成词组。例如，“儿童节” (Children's Day) 是一个重要的节日；“儿童读物” (children's literature) 指的是专门为儿童创作的书籍；“儿童安全” (child safety) 关注的是保护儿童免受伤害。它也可以作为定语，修饰其他名词，如“儿童用品” (children's products)。
儿童一词最常出现在以下语境中：
医疗保健：在儿科、儿童健康检查或儿童疾病的讨论中。
在汉语中，与“儿童”意思相近的词还有“孩子” (hái zi) 和“小孩” (xiǎo hái)。
- 孩子 (hái zi)：这是最常用、最口语化的词，几乎可以用于所有场合，指代从婴儿到青少年的年轻个体。它比“儿童”更具亲切感。
- 小孩 (xiǎo hái)：这个词也比较口语化，通常指年龄更小的孩子，有时略带一点点不成熟的意味，但总体上与“孩子”用法相似。
- 儿童 (ér tóng)：相比之下，“儿童”更书面化、更正式一些，常用于官方文件、学术讨论或新闻报道，但日常生活中也完全可以使用。它在强调“未成年”这一法律或社会概念时更为常见。
Examples
公园里到处都是玩耍的儿童。
everydayThere are children playing everywhere in the park.
国家致力于保障所有儿童的受教育权。
formalThe state is committed to guaranteeing the right to education for all children.
快看，那群儿童多可爱啊！
informalLook, how cute that group of children is!
该研究探讨了早期儿童语言习得的机制。
academicThis research explores the mechanisms of early childhood language acquisition.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
儿童节快乐
Happy Children's Day
关爱儿童
care for children
保护儿童
protect children
Often Confused With
'孩子' (hái zi) is a more colloquial and widely used term for 'child' or 'children'. While '儿童' can be used in most contexts, '孩子' often feels more natural and intimate in everyday conversation.
'小孩' (xiǎo hái) is also colloquial and generally refers to younger children. It's very similar to '孩子' but can sometimes imply a slightly younger age or a touch more informality.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '儿童' is generally neutral but leans towards formal or written language. While it can be used in spoken Chinese, especially when referring to groups or in specific contexts like '儿童节', the word '孩子' (hái zi) is often preferred for its colloquial and friendly tone. Be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate word.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '儿童' in very casual, intimate settings where '孩子' would sound more natural. Conversely, using only '孩子' in very formal legal or academic documents might sometimes be seen as less precise than '儿童'. Ensure the register matches the context.
Tips
Use '儿童' for Formal Settings
When writing official documents, news reports, or academic papers, '儿童' is often the preferred term for children.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Talk
While correct, using '儿童' too frequently in casual conversation with friends might sound slightly stiff or overly formal compared to '孩子'.
Children's Day Significance
Children's Day (儿童节) is a widely celebrated holiday in China, reflecting the cultural importance placed on the well-being and happiness of children.
Word Origin
The character '儿' (ér) originally depicted a child. '童' (tóng) also means child or youth. Together, '儿童' literally means 'child youth', emphasizing the stage of being young and underage.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, children are highly valued, and significant emphasis is placed on their education and well-being. Festivals like Children's Day (儿童节) highlight this cultural focus.
Memory Tip
Think of '儿' (ér) as 'early' and '童' (tóng) as 'tone' (like a young child's tone of voice). So, '儿童' are the ones with the 'early tone' of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions儿童 (ér tóng) 相对更正式和书面化，常用于官方或学术语境，强调未成年身份。孩子 (hái zi) 则更口语化、更常用，带有亲切感，适用范围更广。
国际儿童节是每年的6月1日。在中国，这一天是法定假日，许多学校会组织庆祝活动。
通常，“儿童”指的是未满18周岁的人。具体来说，它涵盖了从婴儿到青春期前的所有个体，具体年龄界限可能根据不同的法律或社会定义略有不同。
在日常口语交流中，人们更常说“孩子”或“小孩”，因为它们更自然、更亲切。但“儿童”在谈论教育、法律或公共事务时也很常见。
Test Yourself
公园里有很多正在玩耍的______。
空格处需要填入指代年轻人的名词，‘儿童’最符合语境。
这家商店主要销售______服装。
‘儿童服装’指的是为未成年人设计的衣服，因此‘儿童’是正确选项。
请用“保护”和“儿童”造句。
这个选项构成了一个完整且符合逻辑的主谓宾结构，表达了保护儿童的必要性。
Score: /3
Summary
儿童 refers to children, emphasizing their status as minors and is widely applicable.
- Means child or children, referring to young individuals.
- Commonly used in formal and informal contexts.
- Emphasizes the state of being underage.
Use '儿童' for Formal Settings
When writing official documents, news reports, or academic papers, '儿童' is often the preferred term for children.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Talk
While correct, using '儿童' too frequently in casual conversation with friends might sound slightly stiff or overly formal compared to '孩子'.
Children's Day Significance
Children's Day (儿童节) is a widely celebrated holiday in China, reflecting the cultural importance placed on the well-being and happiness of children.
Examples
4 of 4公园里到处都是玩耍的儿童。
There are children playing everywhere in the park.
国家致力于保障所有儿童的受教育权。
The state is committed to guaranteeing the right to education for all children.
快看，那群儿童多可爱啊！
Look, how cute that group of children is!
该研究探讨了早期儿童语言习得的机制。
This research explores the mechanisms of early childhood language acquisition.
