Meaning and Usage
The word "孩子" (hái zi) primarily means "child" or "children" and is used to refer to young people, typically one's own offspring or children in general. It is a common and neutral term suitable for everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
"孩子" is often used when talking about family relationships, child development, or when describing children’s behavior and activities. It can refer to a single child or multiple children (with the plural marker "们").
Collocations and Patterns
- 孩子们 (hái zi men): plural form meaning "children".
- 独生孩子 (dú shēng hái zi): "only child", used to specify a child without siblings.
- 照顾孩子 (zhào gù hái zi): "take care of children", common in family or childcare contexts.
- 孩子的成长 (hái zi de chéng zhǎng): "child’s growth", often used in discussions about development and education.
Register and Tone
"孩子" is informal and widely used in spoken and written Chinese. It is polite and neutral, suitable for all ages and social contexts.
Common Confusions
Do not confuse "孩子" with "儿童" (értóng), which is more formal and often used in official or educational contexts. "孩子" is more colloquial and personal.
Character Notes
The character "孩" relates to "baby" or "child," and "子" means "son" or "child." Together, they form a word that clearly denotes a young person or offspring.