2007-01-31 02:16:09 · 4 answers · asked by latanav 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
excellent question.
i consider "childlike" to connote innocence, youthfulness, maybe even playfulness - the good qualities we often attribute to children. "childish," on the other hand, seems somewhat perjorative to me: petulant, impatient, or silly.
here are some notes from the dictionary:
child·like
(adj) Like or befitting a child, as in innocence, trustfulness, or candor.
child·ish
(adj) 1. Of, relating to, or suitable for a child or childhood: a high, childish voice; childish nightmares. 2a. Marked by or indicating a lack of maturity; puerile: tired of your childish pranks. b. Not complicated; simple. c. Affected mentally by old age; senile.
hope this helps!
2007-01-31 02:27:20 · answer #1 · answered by bigivima 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Childlike means innocent like a child in behavior.
Childish means lack of maturity in action or thought.
2007-01-31 02:32:21 · answer #2 · answered by greenhorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Childlike - innocently enjoying playing with toys
Childish - meanly refusing to share your toys
2007-01-31 02:23:45 · answer #3 · answered by Queen of Cards 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Childlike has positive connotations of innocence.
Childish has negative connotations of selfishness (and as noted above - immaturity).
2007-01-31 02:31:43 · answer #4 · answered by Globetrotter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋