少年

shàonián

noun HSK 2 #4,777

Meanings

他还是个少年。

Tā háishì 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 zúqiú.

He liked playing football in his youth.

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 covers the broader youth range.

少 shǎo

年 nián