童年 tóngnián childhood
How to remember 童年: 童 child + 年 year = childhood.
Characters
How it is used
- Literary/written noun for 'childhood' as a life stage, often used reflectively or nostalgically.
- 回忆童年 (recall one's childhood), 童年时代 (the childhood years) are typical uses.
- 我的童年很快乐 (wǒ de tóngnián hěn kuàilè) - My childhood was very happy.
- Contrast with the casual spoken 小时候 (xiǎoshíhou, 'when I was little') - 童年 sounds more reflective and essay-like.
Example sentences
- 我的童年很快乐。 Wǒ de tóngnián hěn kuàilè.I had a happy childhood.
- 童年时我会去海里游泳。 Tóngnián shí wǒhuì qù hǎilǐ yóuyǒng.I used to go swimming in the sea when I was a child.
- 来到这个公园会让我想起自己的童年。 Láidào zhège gōngyuán huì ràng wǒ xiǎngqǐ zìjǐ de tóngnián.This park reminds me of my childhood.