Child vs His kid
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Child
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
His kid
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Child | His kid | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃaɪld/","/ˈtʃɪldrən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃaɪld/","/ˈtʃɪldrən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hɪz kɪd//🇺🇸 //hɪz kɪd// |
| Meaning | A young human who is not yet an adult. | His child. |
| Example | The child played happily in the park. | He took his kid to the amusement park. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | little, small, young, have, bear, give birth to, be born, develop, grow, actor, bride, soldier, with child, little, small, young, have, bear, give birth to, be born, develop, grow, actor, bride, soldier, with child | his kid's birthday, take his kid, play with his kid, teach his kid, support his kid |
| Antonyms | adult, grown-up | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'children' — remember 'child' is singular., Using 'child' to refer to pets or animals., Mispronouncing it as 'chaild' instead of 'child'. | Using 'kids' as singular instead of 'kid'., Confusing 'kid' with 'child' in formal writing., Overusing 'his kid' when it's clear a parent is being referred to. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to refer to anyone under the age of 18. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but can sound out of place in discussions about adults or professional settings. | Used informally to refer to someone's child. 'Kid' is a casual term, appropriate in friendly settings but not in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Child vs His kid
What's the difference between Child and His kid?
Child: A young human who is not yet an adult. His kid: His child.
Can you show an example of each?
Child: The child played happily in the park. His kid: He took his kid to the amusement park.
Can I use Child and His kid interchangeably?
Not always. Child and His kid are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.