supporting cast; backbone of an organization
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
supporting cast (in a traditional theater troupe); minor actors
archaicRefers specifically to the actors who are not the leading stars (名角) in an opera or theatrical company. It often implies they form the essential but less prominent part of the troupe.
Zhè这
ge个
xì戏
bān班
chú除
le了
míng名
jiǎo角
，
bān班
dǐ底
yě也
hěn很
zhā扎
shi实
。
Besides the stars, this opera troupe also has a solid supporting cast.
Tā他
shì是
cóng从
bān班
dǐ底
màn慢
man慢
áo熬
chéng成
zhǔ主
jué角
de的
。
He slowly worked his way up from the supporting cast to become the lead.
noun
backbone; core personnel; basic members of an organization
neutralUsed metaphorically for the essential, often long-serving staff or members who form the foundation of a company, team, or institution.
Zhè这
ge个
gōng公
sī司
de的
guǎn管
lǐ理
bān班
dǐ底
hěn很
wěn稳
dìng定
。
The management backbone of this company is very stable.
Tā他
shì是
wǒ我
men们
xiàng项
mù目
zǔ组
de的
bān班
dǐ底
，
jīng经
yàn验
fēng丰
fù富
。
He is the backbone of our project team, with rich experience.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Xīn新
lǐng领
dǎo导
shàng上
rèn任
hòu后
，
gēng更
huàn换
le了
bù部
fen分
bān班
dǐ底
。
After the new leader took office, they replaced part of the core team.