sell smiles; entertain with one's charms
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to sell one's smiles; (of a courtesan/singer) to make a living by entertaining with charm and song
literaryHistorically refers to the forced livelihood of courtesans and entertainers in traditional society. Carries a connotation of social oppression and sorrow.
Tā她
shēn身
shì世
qī凄
cǎn惨
，
bèi被
pò迫
zài在
qīng青
lóu楼
mài卖
xiào笑
wéi为
shēng生
。
Her life story was tragic; she was forced to sell her smiles in the brothel to survive.
Nà那
shǒu首
cí词
miáo描
huì绘
le了
gē歌
nǚ女
mài卖
xiào笑
shēng生
yá涯
de的
xīn辛
suān酸
。
That lyric depicts the bitterness of a singer's life of selling smiles.
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Mài卖
xiào笑
shēng生
yá涯
，
qiǎng强
yán颜
huān欢
xiào笑
。
A life of selling smiles is one of forced laughter.