Definition
交际花 literally means 'social flower' and refers to a woman who is highly active in social circles, often charming and well-connected. The term carries a historical flavor from early 20th-century Shanghai and can imply a frivolous or opportunistic use of social connections, making it more loaded than the English 'social butterfly'.
n.
social butterfly (often with a connotation of frivolity or using social connections)socialiteparty girl (historical or pejorative nuance)
Examples
- 交际花，。Tā zài Shànghǎi tān shì chūle míng de jiāo jì huā, měi wǎn dōu cānjiā bùtóng de yànhuì.She was a famous social butterfly on the Shanghai Bund, attending different banquets every night.
- 交际花，。Bié kàn tā shì ge jiāo jì huā, qíshí tā hěn yǒu shāngyè tóunǎo.Don't think she's just a social butterfly — she actually has a good business sense.
- 交际花，。Nàge niándài de jiāo jì huā wǎngwǎng chūshēn míngmén, jīngtōng qín qí shū huà.Social butterflies of that era often came from prestigious families and were skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.