孩子

• Pinyin: hái zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 孩 (child) + 子 (noun suffix) — a child or youngster

Meaning

Child; kid. A general term for children or one's own offspring.

Refers to children in general or specifically to one's own children. Parents commonly refer to their kids as 孩子 regardless of age. For someone else's child, 小朋友 is a friendlier option for young children.

Examples

1. 这个孩子很可爱。 This child is very cute.
2. 她有两个孩子。 She has two children.
3. 孩子们在外面玩。 The children are playing outside.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你有几个孩子？(How many children do you have?)
• 孩子们都很开心。(The children are all very happy.)

Don't Say

• 对成年人说'你是个孩子' (Don't call an adult 孩子 unless you are their parent — it can sound condescending)

Origin & History

Compound of 孩 (child) and 子 (child/son suffix). 孩 originally depicted an infant, and 子 adds a noun-forming suffix.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal