HSK · Level 25
135 words
Chinese word
男生
Pronunciation
Pinyinnán shēng
Meaning
- nounboy
Example
那个男生在教室里。nà ge nán shēng zài jiào shì lǐ
That boy is in the classroom.
More examples
很多男生喜欢踢足球。hěn duō nán shēng xǐ huān tī zú qiú
Many boys like playing soccer.
Core concept
A young male figure associated with school life, from a boy in class to a male student.
Common phrases
一个男生yí gè nán shēng
a boy
那个男生nà ge nán shēng
that boy
男生和女生nán shēng hé nǚ shēng
boy and girl
Similar words
女生nǚ shēng: A young female associated with school life, such as a girl in class.
男孩nán hái: A male child or young boy.
学生xué shēng: Someone who is learning at a school.
男人nán rén: A grown male person.
Definition in Chinese
指年龄较小或在校学习的男性，通常指男孩子或男学生，与女生相对。zhǐ nián líng jiào xiǎo huò zài xiào xué xí de nán xìng tōng cháng zhǐ nán hái zi huò nán xué shēng yǔ nǚ shēng xiāng duì
Word origin
男 (nán, "male") + 生 (shēng, "student") forms a compact term for a male student, extending naturally to a boy or young male in school settings.
Usage tips
- In a classroom, this word can identify a male classmate without suggesting that he is an adult man; English often uses boy for the same age range but does not mark the student connection.
Other meanings
- malenoun
- male studentnoun
Opposites
- 女生nǚ shēnggirlnoun