Writing
How to say “child” in Chinese
孩子
Child
noun
Character composition
孩
child
子
noun suffix (zi)
Radicals / Keys
子
Child
#39 · zǐ · 3 strokes
Synonyms
Examples
他们有两个孩子。
They have two children.
那个孩子几岁？
How old is that child?
Mnemonic
[háizi-] Hailey the explorer is in a magical forest, trying to find the hidden portal shaped like 孩子 🌳. As she hears giggles echoing through the trees, she realizes she's found the land where every child can fly, reminding her of the endless adventures of childhood.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say child in Mandarin Chinese?
The most common word is 孩子 (háizi), meaning “child” or “kid.”
Can 孩子 mean both child and children?
Yes. Chinese nouns do not usually change for number, so context can make 孩子 singular or plural. 孩子们 makes the plural explicit.
What measure word is used with 孩子?
The common measure word is 个 (gè), as in 一个孩子: “one child.”
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Grammar with 孩子
连 + noun + 都 — even
连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu) + Verb
毕竟 — after all
毕竟 (bìjìng) + Clause
自从 — ever since
自从 (zìcóng) + Event, Subj. + 就 (jiù) / 一直 (yìzhí) + Verb
何况 — let alone
Clause A, 何况 (hékuàng) + Clause B (even more so)
跟 — similar to, as if
跟 (gēn) + Noun + 似的 (shìde) — as if, like
家, 员, 子 — noun suffixes for people
Stem + 家 (jiā) / 员 (yuán) / 子 (zi)