In ancient times, songstresses often performed in taverns.
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Carries an older, slightly classical flavor — evokes pre-1949 nightclub singers (Republic-era Shanghai) or court/tavern entertainers in historical fiction. For a contemporary female singer use 女歌手 (nǚ gēshǒu) or 歌手 (gēshǒu); 歌女 in modern speech can sound dated or even slightly demeaning.
culture
Tang and Song poetry frequently features 歌女 — wine-shop singers like the one in Bai Juyi's 琵琶行 (Pípáxíng, 'Song of the Pipa'). The status was low; many were trained from childhood in song, dance and instruments.
