人设

人設

rénshè

noun

Meanings

1 public persona
2 character setting
3 image one projects

Characters

to set up; design

Short for 人物设定 (rénwù shèdìng, character design/setup). Originally an anime/fiction term, now used for real people's public personas.

Examples

他的人设是暖男，结果翻车了。

Tā de rénshè shì nuǎnnán, jiéguǒ fānchē le.

His persona was 'warm guy,' but it fell apart.

这个角色的人设很讨喜。

Zhège juésè de rénshè hěn tǎoxǐ.

This character's design is very likeable.

Tips

culture

In entertainment, celebrities carefully craft a 人设 — e.g. '学霸人设' (smart persona), '好爸爸人设' (good father image). '人设崩塌' (rénshè bēngtā, persona collapse) is when a scandal destroys their image.

usage

Also used casually for anyone's personality brand: '你的人设是什么？' (What's your thing?). Originally from anime character design sheets.

Stroke Order

人 rén

设 shè