How to Write 孩 (hái) — Meaning “Child.”

Imagine a child (子) saying 'hi' (sounds like 'hái') while playing with a pig (the 亥 part looks like a pig in Chinese zodiac). This visual helps you link the sound and the meaning. Alternatively, picture a child holding a toy pig to remember the right side.

A common mistake is making the right side 亥 too tall or wide, which throws off the balance. The left radical 子 should be narrow and slightly smaller, with the horizontal stroke of 子 aligning with the middle of 亥. Also, ensure the stroke order for 亥 is correct: dot, horizontal, left-falling turning, then three diagonal strokes.

Unlike 孩, which has 子 on the left and means 'child', 孚 (fú) has 子 at the bottom under a hand-like shape and means 'to hatch' or 'trust'. 孛 (bèi) has 子 at the top with a cross-like top and means 'comet' or 'bright'. In daily use, only 孩 is common for 'child'.

孩 is used in everyday words like 孩子 (child), 男孩 (boy), and 女孩 (girl), often referring to young people or one's own children. It is a basic HSK 1 character and appears in expressions like 小孩 (little kid). In Chinese culture, calling someone 孩子 can show affection or familiarity.

Common words containing 孩 include: 孩子 (hái zi) — Child.; 男孩 (nán hái) — Boy; 女孩 (nǚ hái) — girl.