卖身 (mài shēn) — to sell oneself (into slavery or servitude); to prostitute oneself
Definition
Literally "sell one's body," used for selling oneself into slavery/servitude (historical) or prostitution. Strongly negative, tied to coercion or desperation rather than ordinary work.
verb
to sell oneself (into slavery or servitude)to prostitute oneself
Examples
- ，卖身。Zài gǔ dài, qióng rén yǒu shí bù dé bú mài shēn lái yǎng jiā.In ancient times, poor people sometimes had to sell themselves to support their families.
- 卖身。Tā wèi le huán zhài bèi pò mài shēn.She was forced to sell herself to pay off debts.
- 。Tā wèi le huán zhài mài guò yí cì shēn.He sold himself once to pay off debts.
Appears in
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