Little, xiao (sounds like: shau)
Since meeting Rich’s family, shau is a word I’ve likely heard more than any other. Rich’s mother doesn’t just say her children’s names or “titles” — Rich has an older sister, so he’s Didi, younger brother — but always shau Didi, or shau Richard. It’s an endearment, more akin, as far as I can tell, to “sweet” or “sweet, little — .”
After years of hearing it but not processing it, the word brightened in my ear once Emmy arrived. Now newly alert to it, I find it touching how often his parents use it with their children (and lavish is on my sweet girl).
Shau bau bei they say, over and over — little treasure, little jewel. Piàoliang, shau bau bei. Pretty little jewel. And she is.
ps: No idea whose (amazingly adorable) bau bei this is, but there’s apparently also a Shau (Xiao) Bau Bei song.
