稚 (zhì) - Young & immature

稚Tone 4

zhì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

志

稚 · zhì

Young;

immature;

childish;

tender;

refers to youth and inexperience.

Youngimmaturechildish

Usage highlights

Childish/immatureYoung seedlingYouthful/childlike faceTender/immatureChildYoung boy

Synonyms

  • 幼— young; childish
  • 小— small; young
  • 童— child

Antonyms

  • 老— old; mature
  • 熟— ripe; mature
  • 成— adult; mature

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The child is still very young (幼稚).
  • This is a naive idea (幼稚的想法).
  • The seedlings are growing well (幼苗).
  • He has a youthful appearance (稚嫩的面容).

Collocations

  • Childish/immature(幼稚)
  • Young seedling(幼苗)
  • Youthful/childlike face(稚气)
  • Tender/immature(稚嫩)
  • Child(稚子)
  • Young boy(童稚)

Idioms

  • Childish and ridiculous(幼稚可笑)
  • Childlike innocence(稚气未脱)
  • Immature and ignorant(蒙昧稚拙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally associated with purity and innocence of childhood.
  • Often used in classical poetry to describe the natural simplicity of youth.
  • In modern usage, can carry negative connotations of immaturity when describing adults.

FAQ