少爷

少爺
shàoye
noun #9,376

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 young master (son of a wealthy family)
  2. 2 young gentleman; rich kid (sometimes derogatory)

Characters

Young master — the junior lord of the household.

Examples

Shàoye, nín de mǎchē zhǔnbèi hǎo le.
Young master, your carriage is ready.
Tā jiù shì gè dà shàoye, shénme dōu bú huì zuò.
He's just a spoiled rich kid who can't do anything.
Shàoye cóng xiǎo bèi púrén cìhou zhe zhǎngdà.
The young master grew up being waited on by servants.

Tips

usage
少爷 is used literally in period dramas (servants addressing the master's son) and figuratively in modern speech to mock someone spoiled: 少爷脾气 (spoiled-brat temper). The female equivalent is 小姐 (xiǎojiě).
culture
In traditional Chinese households, 少爷 was the eldest son, 少爷 the second son, etc. Servants used these titles as a sign of respect and to distinguish the sons.

Stroke Order

shǎo