Childlike vs. Childish

Question

In English, Childlike and Childish both mean "like a child", but whereas childish is used more as an insult (as in someone who is pone of pouting or losing their temper if they don't get their way), childlike is more complimentary - as in having a childlike sense of wonder.

I tried looking up the word childlike, but the terms I found were "infantil" and "pueril" (which both seems closer to "childish") and "ingenuo" (which seems closer to "naive").

Are there any Spanish terms which use "like a child" in a more positive way?

Answer 1

I would say 'infantil' or 'aniñado' for 'childish' or maybe even 'típico de un niño' but perhaps you could use 'inocente' or 'ingenuo' for 'childlike'.

I guess another option for childlike could be just to use a phrase like 'es un niño', 'como un niño', 'igual que un niño' or something like that.

Lol - rac1, Jul 13, 2014

Aniñado is probably the best (although it's probably more accurate in Latino Spanish) - Notedstrangeperson, Jul 13, 2014

I agree with you, Kiwi. I´d also say: "Como si fuera un niño": Todavía se emociona como si fuera un niño - LuisCache, Jul 14, 2014

Answer 2

From my dictionary

childlike trust/honesty

confianza/sinceridad como la de un niño

childlike enthusiasm

entusiasmo de niño

Childish infantil

Don’t be so childish!

Deja de portarte como un niño.

Childish is always used as negative in my opinion.

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Jul 13, 2014

I agree, Ian The word 'childish' is always used in a derogatory way to mean immature or to refer to the negative characteristics of a child! - FELIZ77, Jul 13, 2014

Answer 3

i would say for childlike... Tenemos que ser como niños, o, él es obediente como un niño.

:) - FELIZ77, Jul 13, 2014