被宠坏的孩子
bèi chǒnghuài de háizi
The English phrase "spoiled brat" can be translated into Chinese as 被宠坏的孩子 (bèi chǒnghuài de háizi).
The phrase 被宠坏的孩子 refers to a child who behaves badly because they are given everything they want. You may also encounter the colloquial term 小祖宗, which literally means "little ancestor." This is often used sarcastically or affectionately to refer to a spoiled child who acts like a demanding deity in the household.
Which one should you use?
被宠坏的孩子 is a noun phrase for a person.
How do you pronounce it?
bèi chǒnghuài de háizi
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, calling a child a 小祖宗 (little ancestor) reflects the reality that some children are treated with the level of reverence and service usually reserved for high-ranking family elders.
- In some contexts, calling someone a 小祖宗 can even be applied to a romantic partner who acts particularly demanding or precious.
- The character 坏 in this phrase can mean 'bad' or 'broken', implying that the child's character has been 'spoiled' or 'damaged' by too much indulgence.
Examples in context
- 他是个被宠坏的孩子。Tā shì ge bèichǒnghuài de háizi.He is a spoiled brat.
- 别把他当成被宠坏的孩子。Bié bǎ tā dàngchéng bèichǒnghuài de háizi.Don't treat him like a spoiled brat.
- 那个被宠坏的孩子一直在哭。Nàge bèichǒnghuài de háizi yīzhí zài kū.That spoiled brat has been crying constantly.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are discussing a neighbor's child.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你看那个孩子在吵什么？Zhìqiáng, nǐ kàn nàge háizi zài chǎo shénme?Zhiqiang, look at what that child is shouting about?
- 志强 Zhiqiang他只是个被宠坏的孩子。Tā zhǐshì gè bèi chǒng huài de háizi.He is just a spoiled brat.
- 梓涵 Zihan他想要什么都得有吗？Tā xiǎng yào shénme dōu děi yǒu ma?Does he have to get everything he wants?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，他的父母太纵容他了。Shì de, tā de fùmǔ tài zòngróng tā le.Yes, his parents indulge him too much.
