Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| BB | |
| 蘇蝦仔 / 苏虾仔 | sou¹ haa¹ zai² |
| 𤘅孲仔 /𤘅𰌦仔 | ngaa⁴ ngaa¹ zai², ngaa⁴ aa¹ zai² |
| 蝦仔 / 虾仔 | haa¹ zai² |
| BB仔 |
The terms used for a baby range from direct loanwords to metaphorical expressions. BB is a very common colloquial way to refer to a baby in Hong Kong and Cantonese-speaking urban areas. When you want to refer specifically to a baby boy or to add a sense of endearment, you can use BB仔. Other colloquial terms like 蝦仔 or 蘇蝦仔 are used metaphorically to describe small children or even people who are much younger or less experienced than the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 蝦仔 literally means 'little shrimp'.
Which one should you use?
While BB is a loanword used for actual infants, 蝦仔 (little shrimp) can be used metaphorically for children or even people who are much younger or less experienced than the speaker. Additionally, BB can be pronounced as bi2 bi1 in some contexts or as bei1 bei1 in the Southern Chinese region, including Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal contexts, the term 嬰兒 is used to refer specifically to a newborn or infant. For informal and romantic settings, the term 寶貝 (meaning darling or baby) is a popular choice.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the term 細路 is more commonly used to refer to a child, including babies. In the Southern Chinese region, including Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, BB (pronounced bei1 bei1) is commonly used to refer to a baby or a small child.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix 仔 to BB creates BB仔, which is often used to specifically refer to a baby boy or to add a sense of endearment.
Did you know?
- In Hong Kong, the term BB is so deeply integrated that it is often written in the Latin alphabet even in predominantly Chinese text.
- While BB is a loanword from English, Cantonese speakers often use it as a term of endearment for romantic partners, similar to how English speakers use 'baby'.
- Using terms like 蝦仔 to refer to an adult can be quite dismissive. It implies the person is 'small fry' and lacks the status or experience of their peers.
Examples in context
- 個BB喺到吮手指。The baby is sucking his finger.This sentence shows the use of BB for an infant performing an action.Tatoeba #5733411 by nickyeow, translation #1663048 by Amastan
- 森美好似BB仔咁喺到喊。Sami was crying like a baby.This sentence illustrates the use of BB to make a comparison.Tatoeba #6108630 by nickyeow, translation #6018553 by OsoHombre
- 個BB好可愛。go3 BB1 hou2 ho2 oi3.The baby is very cute.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo of a newborn.
- 家明 Ka Ming嘉欣，睇下呢個BB。kaa1 jan1, tai2 haa5 ni1 go3 BB1.Ka Yan, look at this baby.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan佢真係好得意呀！keoi5 zan1 hai6 hou2 dui3 ji6 aa3!He/She is really cute!
- 家明 Ka Ming佢仲係個BB呀。keoi5 zung6 hai6 go3 BB1 aa3.He/She is still just a baby.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan家明你講得啱。kaa1 ming4 nei5 gong2 dak1 ng1 aa3.Ka Ming, you are right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
