Contemporary identities

YOUNG people sometimes identify peers according to their personal backgrounds and personality types. Such tags have created new Chinese expressions. Here are their English descriptions. You may notice that there are some differences between the Chinese expression and its literal English translation.

1.孔雀女 silk-stocking lady

This tag refers to a girl from a big city and a rich family. Many such girls have been brought up under their parents' care and have yet to experience one of life's big storms. In English, we could say that they have been "sheltered", and that they were "born with a silver spoon in their mouth".

2. 凤凰男 ugly duckling

This tag refers to a man who was born in a poor family, but who worked hard and finally found a good job in a big city. He used to be an ugly duckling, but through his hard work he becomes a swan. But in English, "ugly duckling" usually refers to the least handsome/beautiful child in a family.

3. 学术超男 Superman-scholar

This tag refers to people who have great knowledge and share it with others through TV shows or the Internet. Professor Yi Zhongtian is a good example of a superman-scholar. In the West, such people are known as "public intellectuals", or "pundits".

4. 3S lady 剩女

This tag refers to ladies who are old enough for marriage but who have yet to tie the knot. 3S is short for Single, Seventies and Stuck. A 3S lady has a relatively good education, as well as a high income. They have a common characteristic: They are independent.
关键字:市民英语
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