小朋友
xiǎopéngyǒu
The English phrase "kiddo" is translated into Chinese as 小朋友 (xiǎopéngyǒu).
小朋友 is a term used to address a child. It is a common way for teachers, service staff or strangers to address a child to sound friendly and approachable.
Meaning: child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the more neutral or blunt term 小孩 (xiǎohái) can be used for a child or kid, 小朋友 carries a warmer and more respectful tone toward the child.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
小朋友 is a polite and friendly way for adults to address children in social or educational settings. For more informal or affectionate alternatives, you might use 小家伙 to say "little fellow", 小子 to address a young boy or teenager similarly to "kid" or 宝贝 as an endearing term equivalent to "baby" or "darling".
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎopéngyǒu
Did you know?
- While 小朋友 is a term for children, adults sometimes use it ironically or flirtatiously with partners or peers to act 'cute' or playful.
- Although the literal translation of 小朋友 is 'little friend', it is rarely used between children themselves. It is almost exclusively a term used by adults to address a child to create a sense of warmth and distance-reducing politeness.
- The structure of the word is a common pattern in Chinese where the prefix 小 (small) is added to a noun to create a more endearing or diminutive version of that person or object.
Examples in context
- 你好，小朋友Hello, kiddo!
- 你最近好吗，小家伙?How have you been, kiddo?
- 你真棒，小子!You're great, kiddo!
- 你真聪明，宝贝!You're so smart, kiddo!
- 过来一下，娃儿Come here for a moment, kiddo.
- 这个小朋友很可爱。Zhège xiǎopéngyǒu hěn kě'ài.This kiddo is very cute.
- 小朋友，请等一下。Xiǎopéngyǒu, qǐng děng yīxià.Kiddo, please wait a moment.
- 那里有很多小朋友在玩。Nàlǐ yǒu hěnduō xiǎopéngyǒu zài wán.There are many kiddos playing over there.
Example conversation
A teacher is talking to a parent about a child in a classroom.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个小朋友今天很听话。Zhège xiǎopéngyǒu jīntiān hěn tīnghuà.This kiddo has been very well-behaved today.
- 雨婷 Yuting真的吗？太好了。Zhēnde ma? Tài hǎole.Really? That's great.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他很喜欢画画。Tā hěn xǐhuān huàhuà.He really loves drawing.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你的反馈。Xièxiè nǐ de fǎnkuì.Thank you for the feedback.
