帅哥
shuàigē
The Chinese phrase for 'handsome boy' is 帅哥 (shuàigē).
帅哥 is an informal way to refer to a handsome boy or a good-looking guy. In many contexts, it is used colloquially as a generic way to address a young man, similar to calling someone 'young man' or 'sir', regardless of whether the speaker actually thinks he is handsome. While 帅哥 is common, the term 英俊 also means handsome, but it carries a sense of being handsome in an elegant and polished way.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 帅哥 is composed of 帅 (shuài), meaning handsome and 哥 (gē), meaning older brother.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'handsome boy', 帅哥 is more commonly used for young adults or men in their twenties and thirties rather than small children. Other informal ways to describe attractive men include 小鲜肉, which translates to 'fresh meat' for an attractive young man and 型男 for a 'stylish man' or a fashionable guy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
帅哥 is an informal term. It is frequently used as a polite or friendly way to get the attention of a male stranger, such as a waiter or a shop assistant.
How do you pronounce it?
shuàigē
Did you know?
- The character 帅 in 帅哥 originally meant 'commander-in-chief' or 'leader' of an army. Over time, the quality of having a commanding presence evolved into the modern meaning of being physically attractive.
- While 帅哥 is used for men, the equivalent generic term for women is 美女, meaning 'beautiful woman'. In many cities, these are used as standard service-industry greetings like 'excuse me'.
- In certain social contexts, calling a man 帅哥 can be a strategic way to flatter a service worker to receive better treatment or a small discount.
Examples in context
- 你看那位穿着得体的帅气的男孩，真是令人赞叹！Look at that well-dressed and handsome boy, he's truly admirable!
- 今天校园里有好多帅哥！There are so many handsome boys on campus today!
- 那个帅哥真高。Nàge shuàigē zhēn gāo.That handsome boy is really tall.
- 他在学校里是个帅哥。Tā zài xuéxiào lǐ shì gè shuàigē.He is a handsome boy at school.
- 你看，那个帅哥在看书。Nǐ kàn, nàge shuàigē zài kànshū.Look, that handsome boy is reading a book.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park and spotting people.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，看那边那个帅哥。Xiǎowén, kàn nàbiān nàge shuàigē.Xiaowen, look at that handsome boy over there.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen哇，他真的很有气质。Wa, tā zhēnde hěn yǒu qìzhì.Wow, he really has great style.
- 伟 Wei他是你的类型吗？Tā shì nǐ de lèixíng ma?Is he your type?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，他很帅。Shì de, tā hěn shuài.Yes, he is very handsome.
