Childish is a criticism: immature, petulant, behaving worse than an adult should. Childlike is a compliment: having the innocence, wonder or directness of a child. Same root, opposite charges, and choosing wrong reverses your meaning entirely.
The core difference
One suffix carries disapproval, the other admiration.
- childish — immature, petty: a childish response.
- childlike — innocent, wondering, unguarded: childlike delight.
What the suffixes do
-ish often carries a faint disparagement in English — sheepish, selfish, mannish, oldish. -like is neutral to positive, simply noting resemblance — businesslike, lifelike. The pattern is not absolute but it is strong enough to be worth knowing.
The parallel pair
Womanish and womanly, mannish and manly behave the same way — the -ish form is the disparaging one. That is a useful cross-check when you are unsure which suffix carries which charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which is a compliment?
Childlike — it suggests innocence and wonder. Childish means immature.
Why does -ish sound negative?
It often carries faint disparagement in English, as in sheepish, mannish and oldish. The -like suffix is neutral or positive.
Are there similar pairs?
Yes — womanish and womanly, mannish and manly, follow the same pattern.