独生子女

獨生子女

dúshēngzǐnǚ

noun #53,208

Meanings

1 an only child (of either sex)

Characters

to give birth; born

Examples

80 后、90 后很多都是独生子女。

Bā-líng-hòu, jiǔ-líng-hòu hěnduō dōu shì dúshēngzǐnǚ.

Many of those born in the 80s and 90s are only children.

独生子女一代开始面临养老压力。

Dúshēngzǐnǚ yí dài kāishǐ miànlín yǎnglǎo yālì.

The only-child generation is starting to face the pressure of caring for aging parents.

Tips

history

Shaped by China's one-child policy (计划生育, 独生子女政策) enforced from 1979-2015. 子女 literally 'sons and daughters' is gender-neutral. Holders of the 独生子女证 historically received welfare benefits.

culture

The stereotype 小皇帝 'little emperor' referred to pampered only-child boys, though the term is increasingly outdated.

Stroke Order

独 dú

生 shēng

子 zǐ

女 nǚ