男孩儿

• Pinyin: nán háir
• Hanzi breakdown: 男 = 田 (field) + 力 (strength); 孩 = 子 (child) + 亥 (phonetic); 儿 = colloquial suffix

Meaning

Boy. A male child or young male person.

Refers to a young male, typically a child or teenager. The 儿 suffix is characteristic of northern Mandarin. In some regions, 男孩子 (without the 儿 suffix) is used instead.

Examples

1. 那个男孩儿是我弟弟。 That boy is my younger brother.
2. 男孩儿们在操场上踢球。 The boys are playing football on the playground.
3. 这个男孩儿很聪明。 This boy is very clever.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个男孩儿长得很高。(This boy is very tall.)
• 男孩儿和女孩儿都在一起玩。(The boys and girls are playing together.)

Don't Say

• 叫成年男性男孩儿。(Don't call an adult man 男孩儿 — it sounds condescending; use 男人 or 先生 for adults)

Origin & History

A compound of 男 (male) and 孩儿 (child), literally 'male child' — a boy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal