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)