What is child? Pronunciation and usage in English

child means . Learn how to pronounce and use child through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of child

childnoun

/tʃʌɪld/
Definition & pronunciation of child

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "child" in English. It can be tricky for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈtʃaɪld (rhymes with "face-ild")

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈtʃ - This is the "ch" sound, like in "chair" or "church." It's a voiceless palatal fricative.
  • aɪ - This is the "i" sound as in "eye."
  • ld - This is the "l" sound followed by a soft "d" sound. The "d" is almost silent and blends into the "l."

Here's how it sounds (I recommend checking these out):

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying "kild": This is a frequent mistake. The "ch" is crucial.
  • Overemphasizing the "d": The "d" is very subtle and almost blends with the "l".

To recap: ˈtʃaɪld (like "face-ild")

Do you want me to:

  • Go through any specific part of the pronunciation more slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences you can say with "child"?

Usage and examples with the word child in English

Let's break down how to use the word "child" in English. It’s a fairly straightforward word, but understanding its different contexts and nuances will make you a more confident user.

1. Basic Definition:

  • A child is a young human being who is not yet an adult. This is the core definition. It generally refers to someone between the ages of roughly 0 and 12 (though this can vary slightly by culture and context).

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Referring to a young person:

    • "The child was playing in the park."
    • "She's a curious child."
    • "He's a bright child with a lot of potential."

  • As a noun (the subject or object of a sentence):

    • "The child needs a nap."
    • "I saw a child fall down."
    • "My child is learning to read."

  • Describing a relationship:

    • "He’s a father to three children." (referring to his offspring)
    • "She's a loving mother to her child."

  • Referring to children in general:

    • "Children enjoy playing with toys."
    • "There are many children in the school."
    • "Childhood is a special time."

  • In phrases:

    • Childhood: The period of someone's life as a child. “He remembers his childhood fondly.”
    • Childcare: The care of children. “We need to find affordable childcare.”
    • Child labor: The employment of children. (This is a serious issue and often a negative term.)
    • Child-friendly: Suitable for or appealing to children. “This park is child-friendly with a playground.”

3. Plural Forms:

  • Children: This is the standard plural form.

    • "The children are going to the zoo."

  • Child’s: Used as a possessive (showing belonging). Note the apostrophe – this is crucial!

    • “This is the child’s toy.” (The toy belongs to the child.)

4. Variations & Related Words:

  • Infant: A very young child, often newborn to about 1 year old.
  • Toddler: A young child, typically 1-3 years old, who is just starting to walk and talk.
  • Youth: A young person (often used for teenagers). While technically not a "child," it's sometimes used in a similar context.
  • Kid: (Informal) A shortened, more casual term for "child."

5. Important Considerations & Nuances:

  • Respectful Language: When speaking about children, it’s generally considered respectful to avoid using overly casual or potentially demeaning terms. "Child" is usually the best choice.

  • Context Matters: The best word to use can depend on the situation and your audience.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "child"? (e.g., write a story, have a conversation, understand a text?)
  • Is there a specific context you're interested in? (e.g., child development, parenting, social issues related to children?)

Synonyms for the word child

Idioms of the word child

be child’s play
(informal)to be very easy to do, so not even a child would find it difficult
    be with child
    (old-fashioned)to be pregnant
    • big with child

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