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宝宝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宝宝bǎobǎodarlingHSK 4, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #1944, Medium
宝宝bǎobǎobabyHSK 4, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #1944, Medium
bǎobǎo(bao3bao3)bao bao T3
  1. 1darling
  2. 2baby
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March 24, 2026

宝宝(寶寶)bǎobǎo(bao3bao3)

宝宝 (bǎobǎo) is an affectionate term used to refer to a baby or a darling, often used by parents or loved ones. It conveys a sense of tenderness and care, commonly used in informal contexts among family and close friends.

Strokes16Frequency#1944DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, addressing a child or loved one as 宝宝 reflects strong familial bonds and warmth in relationships, often seen in interactions among parents and their children.

Memory Tip

Imagine a baby wrapped in a cozy blanket, being cradled in loving arms. The character 宝 (bǎo) resembles a treasure, representing how precious a baby is to a family. The repetition in 宝宝 emphasizes the cuteness and endearment, like saying 'darling' multiple times for extra affection.

Meanings of 宝宝

bǎobǎo(bao3bao3)
1darling
2baby
Exercise 1 of 3

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About 宝宝

宝宝Simplified
寶寶Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 宝宝

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Podcast: 宝宝

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AI Study Notes for 宝宝

Quick Contrast

小孩 (xiǎohái) - use 宝宝 (bǎobǎo) for a more affectionate tone compared to the more neutral 小孩 (xiǎohái).

Usage Notes

宝宝 is typically used in informal settings and should not be used in formal contexts, such as business or academic discussions. A common mistake is to use it in a serious tone; instead, it should always be lighthearted and affectionate.

HSK Study Tips

宝宝 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it can be beneficial for learners at HSK Level 1 and 2 to recognize it as it connects to family and personal relationships. Focus on using it in conversational practice with family-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宝宝 with more formal terms for children. For example, saying 宝宝 in a professional setting is incorrect; instead, use 孩子 (háizi) which is neutral and appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宝宝

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Component Characters

宝bǎojewel
HSK 58 strokes宀
View full entry
宝bǎojewel
HSK 58 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say darling in Chinese

“darling” in Chinese is宝宝bǎobǎo

宝宝 (bǎobǎo) is an affectionate term used to refer to a baby or a darling, often used by parents or loved ones. It conveys a sense of tenderness and care, commonly used in informal contexts among family and close friends.

When to use 宝宝

宝宝 is typically used in informal settings and should not be used in formal contexts, such as business or academic discussions. A common mistake is to use it in a serious tone; instead, it should always be lighthearted and affectionate.

宝宝 or something close to it

小孩 (xiǎohái) - use 宝宝 (bǎobǎo) for a more affectionate tone compared to the more neutral 小孩 (xiǎohái).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宝宝 with more formal terms for children. For example, saying 宝宝 in a professional setting is incorrect; instead, use 孩子 (háizi) which is neutral and appropriate.

Write 宝宝

宝
宝

Practice writing 宝宝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Common Confusions with 宝宝

宝宝vs娃
wá

Both refer to young children but '娃' is often used in a more informal or affectionate context.

宝宝vs小
xiǎo

Often used to describe something small, including children, but is more general than '宝宝'.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “darling”?

or

Usage Notes for 宝宝

Misuse of 宝宝Common Error

Some learners may use '宝宝' to refer to older children or adults, which may sound childish or inappropriate.

1

他已经十岁了,不再是宝宝。

He is already ten years old and is no longer a baby.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他已经十岁了,不再是____。

He is already ten years old and is no longer a baby.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 宝宝

No, 宝宝 is specifically for babies or young children and should not be used for adults.

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