Colloquial, often derogatory or affectionate term for a child, similar to 'brat' or 'little devil'. Used mainly by adults or older kids.
preta; hungry ghost
Buddhist term for a tormented spirit with insatiable hunger; the original meaning of the word.
Even though he's already 20, everyone treats him like a kid.
The neighborhood brats are so noisy, it's a problem.
That little devil has been up to mischief again.
Preta is one of the six realms in Buddhism, a being constantly tormented by hunger and thirst.
Don't say things like that when you're just a kid.
The neighborhood kids are making noise in the yard.
小僧 is an old-fashioned, slightly contemptuous term for a boy, whereas ガキ is more modern, everyday slang for a child.
ちび describes small physical size rather than age, while ガキ specifically means a child and often implies bratty behavior.
悪童 is a slightly literary, gentler word for a mischievous child, whereas ガキ is blunt, casual slang.
餓鬼 is a blunter, more derisive slang term for a child than 砂利, which can carry a lighter, half-affectionate tone.
ガキ is rough slang for a kid that can sound dismissive or derogatory, whereas キッド stays neutral to friendly.
ガキ is the common modern slang for a brat, whereas わっぱ has an old-fashioned or regional flavor.
Common colloquial spelling for the 'brat' sense; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling used primarily for the Buddhist 'hungry ghost' sense.
Hiragana variant of the colloquial 'brat' sense.
Originally a Buddhist term for 'hungry ghost' (preta), later used colloquially to refer to children, likening their constant demands to the insatiable hunger of a preta.