Toddler Vocabulary Translations — by Laura Houston


I don’t understand why some words resonate with toddlers. Like washing machine. I’ve never thought about it, but that’s a fun thing to say. It really gets the mouth muscles moving and there’s a lot of air in it.

Here are some of the things the boys are teaching me about language these days.

Kay-kay = Cookie

Dang-du = Thank You

Daaaaay = Dave/Dad

Mamamamamam = Mom/Now

Manamba = Banana

Abamba = Banana

Balamba = Banana

Banananananana = Banana

Washeen Chamine = Washing Machine

Mick = Milk

Tay-Boh = Table

Ap-Boh = Apple

Ap-Boh = Computer (because of the apple logo on the back)

Whyyyyyyy? = Wyatt

Liar = Lyle

Dop Baning = Stop that banging

Peas = Please

Scheep = Sleep

Kay = Cat/Kitty

Sheesh = Cheese

Sheesh = Shirt

Shoosh = Shoes

Shocks = Socks

Di = Diaper

Mants = Pants

Shows = Cheerios

Binga = Cracker and they are speaking Mandarin here

Emmo = Elmo

What’s dis? = Get me out of my crib

What’s dis? = I like this toy

What’s dis? = I like this food

What’s dis? = Read this book to me

What’s dis? = I just pried the baby gate open

Pay = Play

Ba = Bath

Ba = Bottle

Ba = Sippy cup and it better have milk in it

Ba = Blanket

Stahhhh = I have no idea

Huh–Bow, Huh-Bow = Good job (Mandarin)

Gud-dob = Good job

Uh-oh = Mom’s coming and you’re gonna get it

Wah-day = Water

Go Go Go = We’re going outside

No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no = I protest

OK = OK

No-Kay = Maybe/maybe not

Body = poddy

I body = take a guess

Ne-ah = Sonia (best friend)

  1. 2 Responses to “Toddler Vocabulary Translations — by Laura Houston”

  2. How adorable! This takes me back to when my son was trying to learn the names of our dogs. One is named Maxi and the other Lama (don't ask). Whenever he saw one of the dogs, he would call out, "I Ma; I La" = "Hi Maxi! Hi Lama!" I told my son recently that he used to call them "Ma" and "La." He's currently trying it out on them and is wondering why they don't respond. They didn't respond back then either!

    By Cara Meyers on Apr 26, 2011

  3. Stahhhh = I have no idea

    Does that mean it means "i have no idea" or that you have no idea what it means :)

    By rsinger on Apr 29, 2011