Definition
小时候 (xiǎo shíhou) is the everyday spoken word for 'childhood', often used as a time phrase meaning 'when I was little'. 童年 (tóngnián) is more formal and literary, referring to the childhood period as a whole. Use 小时候 in casual conversation; 童年 in writing or when talking about 'childhood' as a stage of life.
noun
childhood
Examples
- 小时候，。xiǎo shí hou, wǒ jīngcháng hé gēge yìqǐ wán.When I was little, I often played with my brother.
- 小时候。Wǒ xiǎo shí hou xǐhuān chī píngguǒ.I liked to eat apples when I was a child.
- 小时候，。xiǎo shí hou, māma měitiān gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshì.When I was little, my mom told me stories every day.
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