戏子 (xì zi) — (derogatory, historical) actor; actress

Definition

A historical and derogatory term for an actor or actress. It reflects the low social status of performers in imperial China and is now considered insulting — use 演员 instead.

noun
(derogatory, historical) actoractress
Measure word ·

Examples

  • 戏子
    Zài gǔ dài, xì zi de shè huì dì wèi hěn dī.
    In ancient times, actors had very low social status.
  • 戏子
    Xiàn zài hěn shǎo yǒu rén yòng xì zi zhè ge cí, yīn wèi tā bú tài zūn zhòng.
    Nowadays few people use the word 'xizi' because it's not very respectful.
  • 戏子
    Yòng xì zi chēng hu yǎn yuán shì yì zhǒng wǔ rǔ.
    Calling an actor 'xizi' is an insult.

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