بچه

What it means

بچه (bach-che) means “child” or “kid.” Native Persian word with wide register, used literally for children, affectionately for friends, and informally for “young people, kids” generally.

How to use it

• بچه من سه ساله است (bach-che-am se sâle ast) “My child is three years old”
• بچه‌ها بیایید (bach-che-hâ biyâyid) “Hey kids, come here”
• بچه خوبی است (bach-che-ye khubi ast) “He’s a good kid”

Common pairings

• بچه‌ها (bach-che-hâ) “the kids” (group address among friends)
• بچه‌گانه (bach-che-gâne) “childish, child-like”
• بچه‌داری (bach-che-dâri) “babysitting, child care”
• بچه‌ی من (bach-che-ye man) “my child”

Register

Colloquial. Adults call other adults بچه‌ها (kids) when addressing a friend group, with no condescension intended. The word is universally affectionate when used among Iranians.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab