ancient performer of music and dance; prostitutes and actors
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
ancient performers skilled in music, dance, and comedy
archaicRefers to entertainers in ancient China who performed music, dance, and comic acts, often with a low social status.
Hàn汉
dài代
gōng宫
tíng廷
zhōng中
xù蓄
yǎng养
le了
xǔ许
duō多
chāng倡
yōu优
，
yǐ以
gōng供
yú娱
lè乐
。
The Han Dynasty court kept many performers for entertainment.
Chāng倡
yōu优
zài在
gǔ古
dài代
shè社
huì会
dì地
wèi位
dī低
xià下
。
Performers had a low social status in ancient society.
noun
prostitutes and actors (as a combined term)
literaryA classical literary term grouping female entertainers (often associated with prostitution) and male performers together, reflecting their similarly marginalized status in traditional society.
Zài在
jiù旧
shí时
wén文
rén人
bǐ笔
xià下
，
chāng倡
yōu优
cháng常
bèi被
yī一
tóng同
tí提
jí及
。
In the writings of old literati, prostitutes and actors were often mentioned together.
Zhè这
ge个
cí词
dài带
yǒu有
biǎn贬
yì义
，
zhǐ指
shè社
huì会
dǐ底
céng层
de的
yú娱
lè乐
cóng从
yè业
zhě者
。
This term carries a derogatory sense, referring to entertainers from the lowest social strata.