男婴
nányīng
The English phrase "baby boy" is translated into Chinese as 男婴 (nányīng).
男婴 refers specifically to a very young male human being. It is primarily used in formal, medical or statistical contexts, such as in hospital records or birth announcements.
Meaning: very young male human being (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 男, meaning male and 婴, meaning infant or baby.
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, people are more likely to use 小男孩 (little boy) to refer to a young child rather than the more clinical 男婴.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 小帅哥 (little handsome boy) is an informal way to compliment a baby boy's appearance.
How do you pronounce it?
nányīng
Did you know?
- To avoid 'spoiling' a baby boy or attracting bad luck, some older generations avoid using the child's real name and instead use a 乳名 ('milk name'), which is a playful nickname used only at home.
- When describing a baby boy's cuteness, people often use the term 萌 (méng), which literally means 'sprout' or 'bud'.
- In some traditional Chinese contexts, a baby boy is referred to as 小公子 ('little master'), a term historically reserved for the sons of noble or wealthy families.
Examples in context
- 亲爱的，这是我们的宝贝男孩。Darling, this is our baby boy.
- 那个男婴很可爱。Nàge nányīng hěn kě'ài.That baby boy is very cute.
- 他们刚生了一个男婴。Tāmen gāng shēngle yīgè nányīng.They just gave birth to a baby boy.
- 这个男婴正在睡觉。Zhège nányīng zhèngzài shuìjiào.This baby boy is sleeping.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Wei are looking at a photo of a newborn.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看，这个男婴真漂亮！Nǐ kàn, zhège nányīng zhēn piàoliang!Look, this baby boy is so beautiful!
- 伟 Wei他长得像他的爸爸。Tā zhǎng dé xiàng tā de bàba.He looks like his father.
- 佳怡 Jiayi他的眼睛很大。Tā de yǎnjīng hěn dà.His eyes are very big.
- 伟 Wei是的，是个可爱的男婴。Shì de, shì gè kě'ài de nányīng.Yes, he is a cute baby boy.
