childlike

/ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ˌlīk/ (ame, mw)

childlike — adjective

  • childlikepositive
  • more childlikecomparative
  • most childlikesuperlative

1. describing an adult whose manner or attitude has the positive qualities we assoc

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing an adult whose manner or attitude has the positive qualities we associate with young children, such as openness, honesty, a sense of wonder, and a willingness to trust others.

例句

Grandpa Lin has a childlike curiosity that makes him ask endless questions about new technology.

collocation: childlike curiosity

Even after years in politics, the mayor kept a childlike enthusiasm for helping ordinary people.

collocation: childlike enthusiasm

同義詞
  • innocent

    overlaps with childlike on honesty and lack of guile, but 'innocent' can also mean 'not guilty' or 'inexperienced' in a broader sense.

  • pure

    even stronger positive connotation of moral goodness; more literary and less common in everyday speech.

  • unspoiled

    focuses on not having been corrupted by experience; rarer and more formal than childlike.

反義詞
  • childish

    the negative counterpart — describes immature, self-centred, or unreasonable adult behaviour.

  • jaded

    describes someone who has lost enthusiasm and trust through negative experience; the opposite of childlike wonder.

  • worldly

    describes someone experienced and sophisticated, lacking the naivety of a childlike person.

文法句型

childlike + noun

be + childlike

用法筆記

Distinguish this word from childISH. ChildLIKE describes positive qualities (innocence, wonder, honesty) and is always complimentary. ChildISH describes immature or inappropriate behaviour (tantrums, selfishness) and is always critical. For example: 'her childlike trust' (admirable) vs 'his childish jealousy' (unpleasant). The suffix gives the tone: -like suggests resemblance; -ish suggests a fault.

常見錯誤

❌Stop being so childlike and accept that you cannot always get what you want.
✅Stop being so childish and accept that you cannot always get what you want.
💡'childlike' is positive; use 'childish' to criticise immature behaviour.
❌She has a childlike temper that makes her cry when she loses a game.
✅She has a childish temper that makes her cry when she loses a game.
💡temper and crying are negative traits, so 'childish' is the correct word.
❌The toddler's childlike smile won everyone over.
✅The toddler's innocent smile won everyone over.
💡'childlike' is reserved for adults; for actual children, use 'innocent' or simply omit.