Meaning and Usage
The word "儿女" (érnǚ) specifically refers to one's children, encompassing both sons and daughters. It is a formal and somewhat literary term often used in written and spoken Chinese to collectively denote offspring.
Common Contexts
You will often see "儿女" used in family contexts, discussions about parenting, or when referring to children in a general sense without specifying gender individually. It is more formal than simply saying "孩子" (children) and emphasizes the parent-child relationship.
Collocations and Patterns
- 儿女教育 (érnǚ jiàoyù): education of children, often used when discussing parenting or schooling.
- 儿女成才 (érnǚ chéngcái): children becoming talented or successful, a common phrase expressing parental hopes.
- 养育儿女 (yǎngyù érnǚ): to raise children, focusing on upbringing.
Usage Notes
"儿女" is neutral in tone but tends to appear in more formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. When speaking informally, people often use "孩子" or specify "儿子" (son) and "女儿" (daughter) separately. Avoid confusing "儿女" with just "儿子" (son) or "女儿" (daughter); it always means both sons and daughters collectively.