小朋友 (xiǎopéngyou): child

Meanings

Literally 'little friend' — a friendly term adults use for children.

Xiǎopéngyoumen, nǐmen hǎo!

Hello, children!

Zhège xiǎopéngyou hěn kě'ài.

This child is very cute.

usage

小朋友 is the standard way teachers, TV hosts, and adults address children. It's warm and friendly, like saying 'boys and girls' in English.

culture

In Chinese internet culture, calling an adult 小朋友 is a playful way to tease them for being naive or childish.

小 xiǎo

朋 péng

友 yǒu