臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿
chòu xiǎoháir
In Chinese, the English phrase "rascal" can be translated as 臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿 (chòu xiǎoháir). If unsure, use 臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿. Wiktionary also lists 小淘氣 / 小淘气 (xiǎotáoqì) and 壞蛋 / 坏蛋 (huàidàn).
Meaning: cheeky person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿 | chòu xiǎoháir |
| 小淘氣 / 小淘气 | xiǎotáoqì |
| 壞蛋 / 坏蛋 | huàidàn |
The terms used for "rascal" in Chinese range from affectionate descriptions of a playful person to more serious labels for a scoundrel.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿 (chòu xiǎoháir) literally translates to "stinky kid".
Which one should you use?
小淘氣 / 小淘气 (xiǎotáoqì) is a milder, more affectionate way to call someone a rascal, behaving like a "little mischief-maker". In contrast, 壞蛋 / 坏蛋 (huàidàn) can range from a playful way to call someone a "bad egg" to a more serious way to call someone a "scoundrel" depending on your tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The terms 小淘氣 / 小淘气, 调皮捣蛋鬼 and 捣蛋鬼 are informal ways to say "rascal". The term 小淘氣 / 小淘气 is often used by adults when speaking affectionately to children.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 壞蛋 / 坏蛋 is a noun and does not change its form for plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
chòu xiǎoháir
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, calling a child 臭小孩兒 can be a way for parents to show love without using overly sentimental words, which were historically avoided.
- Calling a peer a 壞蛋 / 坏蛋 is a common way to flirt or joke in modern Chinese social settings, transforming a word that means 'bad egg' into a lighthearted tease.
- In northern Chinese dialects, the addition of the 'er' sound in 臭小孩兒 / 臭小孩儿 makes the term sound more casual and intimate, often used in a playful, teasing manner within families.
Examples in context
- 那个孩子真淘气，常常恶作剧。That child is really mischievous, he often plays pranks.
- 我的弟弟是个小淘气，但他很可爱。My younger brother is a little rascal, but he is adorable.
- 别理她，她只是捣蛋鬼而已。Ignore her, she's just a troublemaker.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rascal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
