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March 24, 2026
孩子háizi(hai2zi5)
The word 孩子 (hái zi) means 'child' in Mandarin and is commonly used to refer to young people, typically those who are not yet adults. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in everyday conversation, especially when discussing family or education.
Strokes12Frequency#116DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 孩子 is highly valued, with a strong emphasis on education and family. The role of children is often seen as not just individual but as part of a larger family unit, reflecting traditional values.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small child (孩子) playing on a sunny day. The first character 孩 (hái) looks like a child with a head (the top part) and legs (the bottom part) running around. The second character 子 (zi) represents a 'son' or 'offspring,' reinforcing the idea of a young person.
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AI Study Notes for 孩子
Quick Contrast
儿童 (értóng) - use 孩子 (hái zi) for a more casual or familial context, while 儿童 (értóng) is often used in formal settings or official documents.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 孩子 (hái zi) with 青少年 (qīng shào nián), which refers to teenagers. While 孩子 is informal and could be used among friends, in formal writing, you might want to use 儿童 (ér tóng) instead. Pay attention to the tones; incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 孩子 connects well with other basic vocabulary related to family, education, and daily life. Students should focus on using this word in various sentences, especially in discussing family members or activities involving children.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 孩子 as a formal term for children when writing essays or reports; instead, 儿童 should be used in such contexts. Additionally, some may confuse 孩子 with other family-related terms, like 孙子 (sūn zi, grandson), which refers specifically to a male grandchild.
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Pronunciation of 孩子
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The word 孩子 (hái zi) means 'child' in Mandarin and is commonly used to refer to young people, typically those who are not yet adults. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in everyday conversation, especially when discussing family or education.
When to use 孩子
Be careful not to confuse 孩子 (hái zi) with 青少年 (qīng shào nián), which refers to teenagers. While 孩子 is informal and could be used among friends, in formal writing, you might want to use 儿童 (ér tóng) instead. Pay attention to the tones; incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning.
孩子 or something close to it
儿童 (értóng) - use 孩子 (hái zi) for a more casual or familial context, while 儿童 (értóng) is often used in formal settings or official documents.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 孩子 as a formal term for children when writing essays or reports; instead, 儿童 should be used in such contexts. Additionally, some may confuse 孩子 with other family-related terms, like 孙子 (sūn zi, grandson), which refers specifically to a male grandchild.
Write 孩子
孩
子
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Grammar Patterns of 孩子
孩子 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
