小生

xiǎoshēng

noun #28,630

Meanings

1 young male role in Chinese opera
2 young scholar character type
3 (self-deprecating) I, this humble one (classical)

Characters

small; young; humble

male role in opera; scholar; life

Examples

他在戏曲中擅长扮演小生角色。

Tā zài xìqǔ zhōng shàncháng bànyǎn xiǎoshēng juésè.

He is skilled at playing young scholar roles in Chinese opera.

小生不才，还请多多指教。

Xiǎoshēng bùcái, hái qǐng duōduō zhǐjiào.

I, this humble one, lack talent — please offer your guidance.

Tips

culture

In traditional Chinese opera (戏曲), roles are strictly categorized: 生 (male), 旦 (female), 净 (painted face), 丑 (clown). 小生 is the subcategory of young, refined male characters — romantic leads played with graceful, gentle movements.

Stroke Order

小 xiǎo

生 shēng