cô bé
Definitions
- Noun:
- A young girl: Refers to a female child, typically from early childhood to pre-adolescence.
- A little girl: A term of endearment or a simple description for a young female child.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô bé đó rất dễ thương. (That little girl is very cute.)
- Tôi thấy một cô bé đang chơi trong công viên. (I saw a young girl playing in the park.)
Advanced Usage
- Used as a term of address or endearment: Can be used directly when speaking to or about a young girl in a gentle, affectionate manner.
- Cô bé ơi, cháu có khỏe không? (Little one, are you okay?)
- In literary or descriptive contexts: Often used to evoke innocence, youth, or small stature.
- Cô bé với đôi mắt to tròn. (The little girl with big, round eyes.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bé gái (n): Girl, female child. A more neutral, direct equivalent.
- Con bé (n): Informal/colloquial term for a girl or young woman. Can sometimes sound less polite.
- Thiếu nữ (n): Maiden, young woman; refers to an older adolescent girl.
Synonyms
- Em gái: Younger sister; can also be used informally for a younger girl.
- Bé: Little one, baby; a more general term for a young child.
Related Phrases
- Cô bé cưng: Darling little girl, precious girl.
- Cô bé cưng của mẹ. (Mommy's darling little girl.)
- Cô bé ngoan: A good/well-behaved girl.
- Hãy là một cô bé ngoan nhé. (Please be a good girl.)