what is the difference between CHILD LIKE & CHILDISH?

@cathya (704)
Philippines
March 3, 2009 6:10am CST
we often use the term childish to denote a negative attitude of a child like tantrums, while we often use child like when we are talking about a positive attitude of a child like being humble, etc. do you agree with me? what is your opinion about this?
2 people like this
4 responses
tudors
@tudors (1556)
• China
3 Mar 09
childlike means one is innocent and pure like a lovely child; while childish, an adj. with an ish ending means bad, so childish means behave like an idiot.
1 person likes this
jillbeth
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I'd have to agree. To be child like is to be naive, full of wonder, eager to learn. To be childish is when you're old enough to behave better and you don't! Tantrums, selfishness, self-absorption are childish.
1 person likes this
pergammano
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
3 Mar 09
Yes, guilty as charged! I do use those euphemisms! But, in defense, when I use childish~~~~it is so the mild term of what I really am thinking! LOL! I am telling the person that they are acting immature! When I use "childlike" it is referring to the innocence, the untarnishedness of their actions...and that is NOT detrimental, it is likening them to the freshness of youth! Cheers!
jenisky
@jenisky (406)
• Philippines
3 Mar 09
childlike for me is having the innocence or trustfulness while childish for me is acting like an immature being.have a nice day