Definitions

hái (noun) child

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "孩" derives from early Chinese usage where it originally referred to a child's laugh, constructed with the semantic radical "子" meaning child and the phonetic component "亥" indicating pronunciation. Over time, its meaning shifted from denoting childish laughter to specifically representing a young child or offspring. Structurally, it remains a phono-semantic compound with "子" as the meaning-bearing element and "亥" as the sound clue, a form consistent in standard usage without a distinct traditional variant that underwent simplification.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个子很可爱。

Zhège háizi hěn kě'ài.

This child is very cute.

邻居家的子在上小学。

Línjū jiā de háizi zài shàng xiǎoxué.

The neighbor's child is in elementary school.

小女喜欢在公园里玩耍。

Xiǎo nǚhái xǐhuan zài gōngyuán lǐ wánshuǎ.

The little girl likes to play in the park.

每个子都应该有一个快乐的童年。

Měi gè háizi dōu yīnggāi yǒu yīgè kuàilè de tóngnián.

Every child should have a happy childhood.

这些子们正在认真学习。

Zhèxiē háizimen zhèngzài rènzhēn xuéxí.

These children are studying hard.

那个男长大后想成为一名科学家。

Nàgè nánhái zhǎng dà hòu xiǎng chéngwéi yī míng kēxué jiā.

That boy wants to become a scientist when he grows up.

照顾年幼的子需要极大的耐心。

Zhàogù niányòu de háizi xūyào jí dà de nàixīn.

Taking care of young children requires great patience.

童时代的记忆总是那么清晰而温暖。

Tā háitóng shídài de jìyì zǒng shì nàme qīngxī ér wēnnuǎn.

Her childhood memories are always so clear and warm.