Words for Kid
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 – 9:06 am
英文有很多词代表“孩子”, all with slightly different connotations.
- Child - slightly formal. The words “child” and “adult” are a pair. Normally used for kids under 12.
- Kid - informal. Normally used for almost anyone who is younger than you are. Obviously, if you call someone a kid who is only slightly younger than you or over the age of 25, it would sound funny or ironic.
- Tot - informal, slightly funny. Sounds old-fashioned or poetic. Normally used for children under 7.
- Rugrat - slang. Kids are like 老鼠 on the 地毯 (rug). Normally used for children under 10.
- Tyke - informal, slightly funny. “Tyke” is often paired with “little”: ex. “There were little tykes running around everywhere.” Normally used for kids under 10.
- Whippersnapper - slang, funny. This word is normally used by my grandparent’s generation. A “whippersnapper” could also be used for anyone who is small or unimportant, but it is usually means “little kid.” Also often combined with “little” (”little whippersnapper”). Normally used for kids under 12.
- Adolescent - formal or legalistic. Normally used for teenagers or younger.
My age recommendations aren’t “rules,” just my general sense of how they are nomally used.
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