half-grown; adolescent; teenager
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesidiomatic expression
half-grown; adolescent; in that awkward age between child and adult
informalOften used to describe teenagers who are physically developing but not yet considered mature adults. Can imply behavior that is no longer childlike but not fully responsible or grown-up. Frequently used to describe one's own children or younger relatives. Tone is generally neutral to slightly colloquial.
Wǒ我
ér儿
zi子
xiàn现
zài在
bàn半
dà大
bù不
xiǎo小
，
zuì最
shì是
táo淘
qì气
de的
shí时
hou候
。
My son is at that half-grown age now, the most mischievous time.
Zhè这
qún群
bàn半
dà大
bù不
xiǎo小
de的
hái孩
zi子
，
zhěng整
tiān天
jiù就
zài在
jiē街
shang上
fēng疯
pǎo跑
。
These half-grown kids are running wild on the street all day long.
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Tā她
jiā家
guī闺
nǚ女
bàn半
dà大
bù不
xiǎo小
de的
，
yǐ已
jīng经
kāi开
shǐ始
yǒu有
zì自
jǐ己
de的
zhǔ主
yì意
le了
。
Their daughter is at that adolescent age and has already started forming her own opinions.
Bié别
bǎ把
tā他
dāng当
xiǎo小
hái孩
，
tā他
yǐ已
jīng经
bàn半
dà大
bù不
xiǎo小
le了
，
gāi该
dǒng懂
shì事
le了
。
Don't treat him like a child; he's half-grown now and should start behaving properly.
Bàn半
dà大
bù不
xiǎo小
de的
nián年
jì纪
，
zuì最
ràng让
fù父
mǔ母
cāo操
xīn心
。
The adolescent age is the most worrisome for parents.