hòushēng: 后生 - Younger Generation, Young Person

• Keywords: housheng meaning, 后生 meaning in English, housheng Chinese, hòushēng, Chinese word for young person, Chinese for younger generation, younger generation in Chinese, respect for elders, Chinese culture, 年轻人 vs 后生
• Summary: Discover the true meaning of 后生 (hòushēng), a common but nuanced Chinese word for 'young person' or 'the younger generation'. This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring the deep cultural context of respect and seniority implied when an elder uses this term. Learn when and how to use `后生` in conversation, how it differs from `年轻人 (niánqīngrén)`, and why it's a key term for understanding intergenerational dynamics in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): hòushēng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A young person or the younger generation, typically used by an older person.
• In a Nutshell: `后生` literally means “born after.” Think of it as a term an older person, like a grandparent or a senior manager, would use to refer to a young person in their late teens or twenties. It carries a warm, sometimes encouraging or mentoring, tone. It’s more about the generational gap between the speaker and the subject than just the subject's age.

• 后 (hòu): This character means “after,” “behind,” or “back.” Imagine standing in a line; the person behind you is `后`.
• 生 (shēng): This character is a pictograph of a plant sprouting from the earth. It means “to be born,” “to grow,” or “life.”
• Together, 后生 (hòushēng) logically combines these two ideas to mean “those born after” or “the later-born generation,” which we translate as “young person” or “youth.”

In Chinese culture, which places a high value on seniority and respect for elders, the way people address each other often reflects their relative age and status. 后生 (hòushēng) is a perfect example of this. It's not just a neutral descriptor like the English “young person.” Its usage immediately establishes a dynamic: the speaker is older and, in a way, taking on a mentoring or senior role. Compare this to the English word “youngster.” While it also means “young person,” “youngster” can sometimes feel slightly dismissive or condescending. 后生, on the other hand, is often used with a sense of approval, encouragement, or fondness. When an elder praises a young person by saying they are a “good `后生`,” it's a genuine compliment that acknowledges their potential and good character from a position of experience. Using this term reinforces the cultural values of respecting one's elders (前辈, qiánbèi) and guiding the younger generation (晚辈, wǎnbèi).

`后生` is most common in spoken Mandarin and is used by people who are clearly from an older generation (think 50+). You'll hear it in family settings, in smaller towns, or from an older boss or mentor.

• Formality: It can range from informal and affectionate to neutrally descriptive.
• Connotation: Almost always positive or neutral. It's often used when praising a young person's strength, intelligence, or potential. For example, the idiom 后生可畏 (hòushēng kě wèi) means “the younger generation is formidable/to be respected.”
• Who uses it: Primarily individuals middle-aged or older. It would sound very strange for a 25-year-old to call a 20-year-old a `后生`. They would use a different term like 年轻人 (niánqīngrén) or simply call them by name.

• Example 1:
  • 村里大部分的后生都去城里打工了。
  • Pinyin: Cūn lǐ dàbùfèn de hòushēng dōu qù chénglǐ dǎgōng le.
  • English: Most of the young people from the village have gone to the city to work.
  • Analysis: Here, `后生` is used in a neutral, descriptive way to refer to the entire young generation of a village. The speaker is likely an older resident.
• Example 2:
  • 爷爷笑着说：“你这个后生，真有出息！”
  • Pinyin: Yéye xiàozhe shuō: “Nǐ zhège hòushēng, zhēn yǒu chūxi!”
  • English: Grandpa said with a smile, “You, young man, are really promising!”
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of an elder praising a younger person. The tone is affectionate and encouraging. `有出息 (yǒu chūxi)` means “to have potential” or “to be successful.”
• Example 3:
  • 别看他年纪小，真是后生可畏啊。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā niánjì xiǎo, zhēnshi hòushēng kě wèi a.
  • English: Don't look down on him for his young age; the younger generation is truly formidable.
  • Analysis: This uses the related idiom `后生可畏` to praise a young person's impressive talent or ability. It's a high compliment.
• Example 4:
  • “后生，过来帮我把这个箱子搬一下。”
  • Pinyin: “Hòushēng, guòlái bāng wǒ bǎ zhège xiāngzi bān yīxià.”
  • English: “Young man, come over and help me move this box.”
  • Analysis: An informal and direct way for an older person to address a younger person they don't know. It's polite and establishes a friendly, senior-to-junior dynamic.
• Example 5:
  • 作为后生，我们应该多听听长辈的意见。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi hòushēng, wǒmen yīnggāi duō tīngting zhǎngbèi de yìjiàn.
  • English: As members of the younger generation, we should listen more to the opinions of our elders.
  • Analysis: This is a less common but valid usage where a young person uses `后生` to refer to themselves or their peers as a collective group, typically in a context of showing humility or respect to elders (`长辈`, zhǎngbèi).
• Example 6:
  • 那个穿蓝色T恤的后生是我们公司新来的。
  • Pinyin: Nàge chuān lánsè T-xù de hòushēng shì wǒmen gōngsī xīn lái de.
  • English: That young person in the blue T-shirt is new to our company.
  • Analysis: A senior colleague or boss might use `后生` to refer to a new, young employee. It's more personal than just saying “the new guy.”
• Example 7:
  • 老板对那个后生的表现很满意。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn duì nàge hòushēng de biǎoxiàn hěn mǎnyì.
  • English: The boss is very satisfied with that young man's performance.
  • Analysis: Shows a positive evaluation from a person in a position of authority towards a junior.
• Example 8:
  • 现在的后生想法就是跟我们不一样。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài de hòushēng xiǎngfǎ jiùshì gēn wǒmen bù yīyàng.
  • English: The way young people think these days is just different from us.
  • Analysis: An older person making a general observation about generational differences. The tone is neutral, simply stating a fact.
• Example 9:
  • 他虽然是个后生，但办事很沉稳。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán shì ge hòushēng, dàn bànshì hěn chénwěn.
  • English: Although he's a young person, he is very steady and reliable when handling matters.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure, “Although… but…”, is often used with `后生` to contrast a person's youth with their surprising maturity or capability.
• Example 10:
  • 这个项目就交给你们这些后生去闯吧！
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù jiù jiāo gěi nǐmen zhèxiē hòushēng qù chuǎng ba!
  • English: I'll leave this project to you young folks to go and make your mark!
  • Analysis: An encouraging and empowering statement from a senior, giving the “younger generation” an opportunity. `闯 (chuǎng)` here means to venture out and forge a path.

• Mistake 1: Used by the wrong person. The most common mistake is for a young person to call another person (who is similar in age) a `后生`. This is incorrect. `后生` is almost exclusively used by someone from an older generation. If you're 25, you would call a 22-year-old `年轻人 (niánqīngrén)` or by their name, not `后生`.
  • Incorrect: (A 20-year-old speaking to a 19-year-old) 你这个后生，快一点！
  • Correct: (A 60-year-old speaking to a 19-year-old) 你这个后生，快一点！
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with a simple age descriptor. `后生` is not a “false friend” for “young person” in every context. An English speaker might say “There were many young people at the concert.” You would not use `后生` here. You would use `年轻人`. `后生` implies a specific relationship or observation from an elder's perspective.
  • Incorrect: 音乐会上有很多后生。
  • Correct: 音乐会上有很多年轻人。(Yīnyuèhuì shàng yǒu hěn duō niánqīngrén.)
• Mistake 3: Using it for children. `后生` refers to young people, typically from late adolescence through their 20s or early 30s. For a young child, you should use 孩子 (háizi) or 小朋友 (xiǎopéngyǒu).

• 年轻人 (niánqīngrén) - The most neutral and common word for “young person/people.” It lacks the “from an elder's perspective” connotation of `后生`.
• 晚辈 (wǎnbèi) - “Junior generation.” A more formal term used specifically in the context of family hierarchy, or in formal organizations like a company or martial arts school.
• 前辈 (qiánbèi) - The antonym of `晚辈`. It means “senior” or “predecessor.” This is the person who would call someone else a `后生`.
• 青年 (qīngnián) - “Youth.” A more formal, sociological term often used in media or government contexts to refer to the demographic of young people (e.g., ages 14-35).
• 后生可畏 (hòushēng kě wèi) - A popular idiom meaning “the younger generation is to be respected/feared.” It's a high compliment for a talented youth.
• 小伙子 (xiǎohuǒzi) - “Young fellow; lad.” An informal and friendly term for a young man.
• 姑娘 (gūniang) - “Young woman; girl; lass.” An informal and friendly term for a young woman.
• 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - “Elder; one of an older generation.” The direct counterpart to `晚辈`.