p8nda
p8nda BETA
Home Dictionary Discord

少年

shàonián
noun HSK 2 #4,777

Meanings

  1. 1 youth
  2. 2 teenager
  3. 3 young person

Examples

他还是个少年。
Tā hái shì ge shàonián.
He's still a teenager.
少年强则国强。
Shàonián qiáng zé guó qiáng.
When the youth are strong, the nation is strong.
他少年时喜欢踢足球。
Tā shàonián shí xǐhuan tī zúqíu.
He liked playing football in his youth.

Tips

culture
少年强则国强 comes from Liang Qichao's famous 1900 essay 《少年中国说》, urging young people to strengthen China. It's still widely quoted.
usage
少年 usually refers to ages roughly 10-17. It carries a sense of energy and potential. 青少年 (qīngshàonián) covers the broader youth range.

Stroke Order

少 shǎo
年 nián