稚气 (zhì qì) — childishness; naivety (often neutral or slightly affectionate)

Definition

稚气 is a written, slightly affectionate noun for childlike innocence in an older child or adult — softer and warmer than 'childishness' in a critical sense. Often paired with 几分 or 一丝 to suggest just a trace.

noun
childishnessnaivety (often neutral or slightly affectionate)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 稚气。
    Tā de liǎn shàng hái dài zhe jǐ fēn zhì qì.
    There is still some childishness on her face.
  • ，稚气。
    Suī rán yǐ jīng èr shí suì le, dàn shuō huà shí zǒng yǒu yì sī zhì qì.
    Even though he is already twenty years old, there's always a hint of childishness when he speaks.
  • ，稚气。
    Zhè piān zuò wén xiě dé hěn tiān zhēn, chōng mǎn le zhì qì.
    This essay is written very innocently, full of childishness.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

稚zhìyoung; childish
气qìair; quality

The 气 of being 稚 gives the sense of childishness.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hérice
Sound part声符shēngfú
屖
屖xī稚zhì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

稚 is built from 禾 (rice) plus 屖, which supplies the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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