Chinese word

小朋友

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎo péng yǒu

Meaning

  • nounkid

Example

小朋友，你叫什么名字？xiǎo péng yǒu nǐ jiào shén me míng zì

Kid, what is your name?

Illustration for 小朋友 (kid)

More examples

这个小朋友在公园玩球。zhè ge xiǎo péng yǒu zài gōng yuán wán qiú

This kid is playing ball in the park.

Core concept

A young child treated as a small companion in an easy, familiar setting.

Common phrases

  • 和小朋友玩hé xiǎo péng yǒu wán

    play with kids

  • 小朋友在家xiǎo péng yǒu zài jiā

    kid at home

  • 小朋友的名字xiǎo péng yǒu de míng zì

    kid's name

Similar words

孩子hái zi: An everyday term for a child from toddler age through the school years.
小孩xiǎo hái: A casual spoken term for a young child, often suggesting a younger age.

Definition in Chinese

常见于幼儿园、课堂或儿童节目中，对年幼孩子的亲切称呼，语体偏口语化。cháng jiàn yú yòu ér yuán kè táng huò ér tóng jié mù zhōng duì nián yòu hái zi de qīn qiè chēng hū yú tǐ piān kóu yǔ huà

Word origin

小 (xiǎo, "small") + 朋友 (péngyou, "friend") presents a child as a little companion, which gives the expression its affectionate spoken tone.

Usage tips

  • The form does not by itself show whether one child or several are meant, so the classroom or program context often supplies the number.

Opposites

Word lists with this word