UK vs. US English

Compare useful childcare words in British and American English. Each card pairs the two versions; ask families which words they prefer, since usage can vary by region.

Useful phrases

Nappy (UK) / Diaper (US): UK: NAP-ee · US: DYE-per; spanish: pañal; tagalog: diaper / lampin; hindi: डायपर; arabic: حفاض; french: couche; UK: The baby needs a clean nappy. US: The baby needs a clean diaper.
Pushchair or buggy (UK) / Stroller (US): UK: PUSH-chair or BUG-ee · US: STROH-ler; spanish: cochecito de bebé; tagalog: stroller ng bata; hindi: बच्चे की गाड़ी; arabic: عربة أطفال; french: poussette; UK: Shall I take the pushchair (or buggy)? US: Shall I take the stroller?
Dummy (UK) / Pacifier (US): UK: DUM-ee · US: PASS-uh-fye-er; spanish: chupete; tagalog: tsupon; hindi: चुसनी; arabic: لهاية; french: tétine; UK: Where is the baby's dummy? US: Where is the baby's pacifier?
Cot (UK) / Crib (US): UK: KOT · US: KRIB; spanish: cuna; tagalog: kuna; hindi: बच्चे का पालना; arabic: سرير طفل; french: lit bébé; UK: The baby is asleep in the cot. US: The baby is asleep in the crib.
Plaster (UK) / Bandage (US): UK: PLAS-ter · US: BAN-dij; spanish: apósito adhesivo; tagalog: malagkit na benda; hindi: चिपकने वाली पट्टी; arabic: ضمادة لاصقة; french: pansement; UK: Put a plaster on the small cut. US: Put a bandage on the small cut.
Torch (UK) / Flashlight (US): UK: TORCH · US: FLASH-lite; spanish: linterna; tagalog: flashlight; hindi: टॉर्च; arabic: مصباح يدوي; french: lampe de poche; UK: Take a torch if it gets dark. US: Take a flashlight if it gets dark.
Biscuit (UK) / Cookie (US): UK: BIS-kit · US: KOO-kee; spanish: galleta; tagalog: biskwit; hindi: बिस्कुट; arabic: بسكويت; french: biscuit; UK: May the child have a biscuit? US: May the child have a cookie? Ask the parents before offering a snack.
Rubbish bin (UK) / Trash can (US): UK: RUB-ish BIN · US: TRASH KAN; spanish: cubo de basura; tagalog: basurahan; hindi: कूड़ेदान; arabic: سلة المهملات; french: poubelle; UK: Please put the wrapper in the rubbish bin. US: Please put the wrapper in the trash can.
Jumper (UK) / Sweater (US): UK: JUM-per · US: SWET-er; spanish: suéter; tagalog: suweter; hindi: स्वेटर; arabic: كنزة صوفية; french: pull; UK: Put on a jumper before going outside. US: Put on a sweater before going outside.
Changing mat (UK) / Changing pad (US): UK: CHAYN-jing MAT · US: CHAYN-jing PAD; spanish: cambiador de bebé; tagalog: sapin sa pagpapalit ng diaper; hindi: डायपर बदलने की चटाई; arabic: بساط تغيير الحفاض; french: matelas à langer; UK: Wipe down the changing mat after use. US: Wipe down the changing pad after use.
A temperature (UK) / A fever (US): UK: uh TEM-pruh-chuh · US: uh FEE-ver; spanish: fiebre; tagalog: lagnat; hindi: बुखार; arabic: حمّى; french: fièvre; UK: The child has a temperature. US: The child has a fever. Let the parents know and follow their care plan.
Tap (UK) / Faucet (US): UK: TAP · US: FAW-sit; spanish: grifo; tagalog: gripo; hindi: नल; arabic: صنبور; french: robinet; UK: Turn off the tap after washing your hands. US: Turn off the faucet after washing your hands.
Hob (UK) / Stovetop (US): UK: HOB · US: STOHV-top; spanish: placa de cocina; tagalog: kalan; hindi: चूल्हे की सतह; arabic: سطح الموقد; french: plaque de cuisson; UK: Keep children away from the hot hob. US: Keep children away from the hot stovetop.
A&E (UK) / ER (US): UK: AY and EE · US: EE AR; spanish: urgencias; tagalog: silid pang-emerhensiya; hindi: आपातकालीन विभाग; arabic: قسم الطوارئ; french: service des urgences; UK: The child was taken to A&E (Accident and Emergency). US: The child was taken to the ER (Emergency Room).
GP (UK) / Doctor (US): UK: JEE-PEE · US: DOK-ter; spanish: médico de cabecera; tagalog: doktor; hindi: डॉक्टर; arabic: طبيب; french: médecin généraliste; UK: The parents booked an appointment with the GP (general practitioner). US: The parents booked an appointment with the doctor.
10 o'clock (UK) / 10AM (US): UK: ten uh-KLOK · US: ten AY EM; spanish: las diez de la mañana; tagalog: alas diyes ng umaga; hindi: सुबह दस बजे; arabic: الساعة العاشرة صباحًا; french: dix heures du matin; UK: The appointment is at 10 o'clock in the morning. US: The appointment is at 10AM. Both forms are understood in either country.