矮个子
ǎigèzi
The English phrase "shorty" can be translated into Chinese as 矮个子 (ǎigèzi).
矮个子 is used as a noun to refer to a person of short stature.
Meaning: a short person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 矮 (short in height), 个 (a measure word for people) and 子 (a noun-forming suffix).
Which one should you use?
While 矮 (ǎi) is an adjective meaning "short", 矮个子 (ǎigèzi) is the specific noun used to refer to a person of short stature.
How does it change in a sentence?
矮个子 is a noun and can be used as a subject or object in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ǎigèzi
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'shorty', which can be a romantic nickname for a partner, 矮个子 is almost never used as a term of endearment in Chinese.
- While 矮个子 is a neutral description, calling someone 小矮子 (xiǎo ǎizi) adds the diminutive 'small' and can be perceived as a mocking or childish insult.
- To avoid being blunt, Chinese speakers often use the phrase 不高 (bù gāo), meaning 'not tall', as a polite euphemism instead of calling someone 矮个子.
Examples in context
- 他是个 小个子 ，但他是个非常有才华的音乐家。He is a shorty, but he is a very talented musician.
- 他是个矮个子。Tā shì ge ǎigezi.He is a shorty.
- 那个矮个子是谁？Nàge ǎigezi shì shéi?Who is that shorty?
- 我不是矮个子。Wǒ bú shì ǎigezi.I am not a shorty.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a crowd in a park.
- 俊杰 Junjie你看那个矮个子。Nǐ kàn nàge ǎigezi.Look at that shorty.
- 雨婷 Yuting他真可爱。Tā zhēn kě'ài.He is so cute.
- 俊杰 Junjie他在找他的朋友。Tā zài zhǎo tā de péngyǒu.He is looking for his friend.
- 雨婷 Yuting或许就在那边。Huòxǔ jiù zài nà biān.Maybe he is over there.
