小可爱
xiǎo kě'ài
The English phrase "cutie pie" can be translated into Chinese as 小可爱 (xiǎo kě'ài).
小可爱 is a common term of endearment used for children, pets or romantic partners. Depending on who you are describing, other terms may be more specific: 萌妹子 is used for a girl or young woman who is cute, adorable or slightly naive, while 可爱仔 describes a young boy who is cute and charming.
Meaning: cute person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 小 (xiǎo), meaning 'small' or 'little' and 可爱 (kě'ài), meaning 'cute' or 'lovable'.
Which one should you use?
While 小可爱 is a general term for a cutie pie, you might use 宝贝 to mean 'baby' or 'darling' when referring to someone you care about or 甜心 to mean 'sweetheart' or 'sweetie' to convey affection.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 小可爱 can be used with measure words. For example, you can use 个 (gè) for people or 只 (zhī) for animals, such as in 一个小可爱 (one little cutie).
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎo kě'ài
Did you know?
- The term 萌 in 萌妹子 originally comes from the Japanese word 'moe' and literally refers to a plant sprouting.
- In modern internet slang, 小可爱 is sometimes used ironically to describe someone who has made a silly or clumsy mistake.
- While 小可爱 means 'cute', the word 可爱 literally translates to 'able to be loved'.
Examples in context
- 你是妈妈最可爱的宝贝！You are mom's cutie pie!
- 可爱仔，你长大了！My little cutie, you've grown up!
- 你是我的甜心！You are my sweetheart!
- 那个小可爱在睡觉。Nàge xiǎo kě'ài zài shuìjiào.That cutie pie is sleeping.
- 你真是个小可爱。Nǐ zhēnshì gè xiǎo kě'ài.You are such a cutie pie.
- 大家都喜欢这个小可爱。Dàjiā dōu xǐhuān zhège xiǎo kě'ài.Everyone likes this cutie pie.
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a cute puppy in a park.
- 俊杰 Junjie看那只小可爱！Kàn nà zhī xiǎo kě'ài!Look at that cutie pie!
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，它真的很可爱。Jùnjié, tā zhēn de hěn kě'ài.Junjie, it is really cute.
- 俊杰 Junjie雨婷，你也像它一样可爱。Yǔtíng, nǐ yě xiàng tā yīyàng kě'ài.Yuting, you are as cute as it is.
- 雨婷 Yuting别这样，真害羞。Bié zhèyàng, zhēn hàixiū.Don't be like that, it's embarrassing.
