坏小子
huài xiǎo zi
The English phrase "bad boy" can be translated into Chinese as 坏小子 (huài xiǎo zi).
坏小子 is used to describe a young male who is naughty or misbehaves. While it can describe a literal naughty child, it is often used colloquially to refer to a young man with a rebellious or "troublemaker" persona. The component 坏 (huài) translates to bad or naughty, conveying the idea of someone who often breaks rules or engages in mischievous behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 坏小子 is composed of 坏 (bad), 小 (small/little) and 子 (a noun suffix for people/children), literally meaning "bad little boy".
Which one should you use?
坏小子 can be used playfully or affectionately for a mischievous person, whereas 坏蛋 is a more direct insult meaning a "bad egg", "jerk" or "scoundrel".
How do you pronounce it?
huài xiǎo zi
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, being a 'bad boy' can be rebranded as 痞帅, which describes a man who is 'scoundrel-handsome' or possesses a rugged, rebellious charm.
- In Chinese, the word for 'bad' 坏 is the same word used to describe a broken toaster or a malfunctioning phone.
- In northern Chinese dialects, the final character 子 is often reduced to a neutral tone, making the phrase sound faster and more clipped than the standard pronunciation.
Examples in context
- 他真是个坏小子。Tā zhēn shì ge huài xiǎozi.He really is a bad boy.
- 那个坏小子又在调皮了。Nàge huài xiǎozi yòu zài tiáopí le.That bad boy is being naughty again.
- 别管那个坏小子。Bié guǎn nàge huài xiǎozi.Don't mind that bad boy.
Example conversation
Jiayi finds Haoran playing a prank in the living room.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你又在搞恶作剧，真是个坏小子！Hàorán, nǐ yòu zài gǎo èzuòjù, zhēnshì gè huài xiǎozǐ!Haoran, you're playing pranks again, what a bad boy!
- 浩然 Haoran我只是在开个玩笑。Wǒ zhǐshì zài kāi gè wánxiào.I'm just playing a joke.
- 佳怡 Jiayi快把东西收拾干净。Kuài bǎ dōngxī shōushí gānjìng.Hurry up and clean this up.
- 浩然 Haoran好吧，我知道了。Hǎo ba, wǒ zhīdào le.Alright, I got it.
