siu2 haai4 zi2小孩子
Jyutpingsiu2 haai4 zi2
Yalesíu hàaih jí
Definition
Kid; child.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
While 小孩子 is understood, it sounds quite formal or written in Hong Kong. Locals almost exclusively use 細路 or 小朋友 in daily speech to refer to children. Using 小孩子 can make you sound like you are reading from a textbook or a formal news report.
Measure word
go3個goRelated words
Common mistake
Avoid using 小孩子 in casual conversation, as it feels stiff and unnatural. Stick to 細路 or 小朋友 to sound more like a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
