opera actor (derogatory, old)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
opera performer; actor (derogatory, old-fashioned)
derogatoryHistorically used in pre-modern China to refer to professional Peking opera or traditional theater performers. The term carries strong classist contempt, as actors were traditionally considered among the lowest social classes (下九流). Considered highly offensive in modern usage; neutral alternatives are 演员 (actor) or 戏曲演员 (opera performer).
Jiù旧
shè社
huì会
xì戏
zi子
de的
dì地
wèi位
hěn很
dī低
，
bèi被
rén人
kàn看
bu不
qǐ起
。
In old society, opera performers had very low status and were looked down upon.
Tā他
bèi被
rén人
mà骂
zuò作
xià下
jiàn贱
de的
xì戏
zi子
，
bù不
zhǔn准
cóng从
zhèng正
mén门
jìn进
rù入
。
He was scolded as a lowly actor and forbidden to enter through the main gate.
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Zài在
nà那
gè个
nián年
dài代
，
xì戏
zi子
bèi被
shì视
wéi为
xià下
jiǔ九
liú流
，
bù不
néng能
yǔ与
liáng良
mín民
tōng通
hūn婚
。
In those years, actors were regarded as belonging to the lowest social class and could not marry commoners.