At the A1 level, you only need to know that '出身' (chūshēn) is a word used to talk about where a person comes from in terms of their family. You might not use it yourself yet, but you might see it in simple stories about famous people. For example, 'He comes from a poor family' would use this word. It's important to remember it's a noun. Don't confuse it with '出生' (chūshēng), which means the day you were born. Think of '出身' as the 'label' for your family type. A1 learners should focus on simple combinations like '农村出身' (from the countryside) or '工人出身' (from a worker family). This word helps you understand basic descriptions of people's lives. You will mostly see it in the pattern 'Person + 是 + [Type] + 出身'. This is a very common way to describe someone's basic identity in Chinese. Even at this early stage, knowing this word helps you recognize when a story is moving from a person's birth to their early social environment.
At the A2 level, you should be able to recognize and use '出身' (chūshēn) in basic sentences to describe someone's background. You might use it to talk about your own professional background or your family's social status in a simple way. For example, '他是老师出身' (He was originally a teacher). This is a useful way to explain why someone has certain skills. You should also start to recognize common four-character phrases like '出身贫寒' (born poor). At this level, you understand that '出身' is more about 'social identity' than just 'birth location'. You can use it in job-related contexts, like saying someone has a 'technical background'. It's also important to distinguish it from '背景' (bèijǐng), which is the general word for background. Use '出身' when you are specifically talking about the family or professional 'roots' of a person. Practice using the pattern '[Noun] + 出身' to describe different jobs, like '医生出身' (doctor background) or '商人出身' (businessman background).
By B1, you should have a deeper understanding of the cultural and social implications of '出身' (chūshēn). You should be able to use it to discuss social issues, such as how family background affects a person's future. You will encounter this word frequently in biographies, news reports, and formal interviews. You should be comfortable with the structure '出身于...' (born into/originated from) to describe someone's lineage or early environment. For example, '他出身于一个艺术世家' (He comes from a family of artists). You should also understand how it is used to describe a person's professional 'pedigree' in a more nuanced way. In B1 level reading materials, you might see discussions about '出身' in the context of China's history or modern competitive society. You should also be able to distinguish '出身' from related words like '家世' (family history) and '来历' (origin). Using '出身' correctly in your writing will show that you understand the formal way to categorize people's origins in Chinese culture.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use '出身' (chūshēn) with precision in both formal and informal contexts. You should understand its historical baggage, particularly its use during the 'Class Status' era in China, though you will mostly use it in modern professional and social contexts. You can use it to analyze characters in literature or films, discussing how their '出身' influences their choices and conflicts. You should be able to use a wider variety of adjectives with '出身', such as '出身卑微' (lowly background) or '出身名门' (noble background). At this level, you can also use it metaphorically or in professional jargon, such as '草根出身' (grassroots background) to describe a self-made person. You should also be able to handle complex sentence structures involving '出身', such as '无论出身如何,只要努力就能成功' (Regardless of one's background, as long as one works hard, they can succeed). Your ability to use '出身' appropriately in discussions about sociology, history, or business will demonstrate a high level of linguistic and cultural competence.
At the C1 level, your understanding of '出身' (chūshēn) should be sophisticated and culturally nuanced. You should be able to discuss the sociological concept of 'social reproduction' and how '出身' plays a role in it within the Chinese context. You will recognize the word in classical-style four-character idioms and academic papers. You should be able to use '出身' to explain subtle social dynamics, such as the 'glass ceiling' for people of certain backgrounds in specific industries. You can also use it to describe the 'DNA' of a company or organization (e.g., '这家公司是技术人员出身的文化' - This company has a culture rooted in its technical origins). At this level, you should be able to appreciate the irony or emotional weight when '出身' is used in literature to highlight social inequality. You can engage in deep discussions about how the concept of '出身' has changed from the imperial examination era to the Mao era and finally to the modern era of 'educational background' (学历出身). Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of register and context.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '出身' (chūshēn), including its most obscure and literary applications. You can use it to write formal essays on history, sociology, or philosophy, exploring the tension between '出身' (innate background) and '造就' (self-achievement). You understand the word's place in the long history of Chinese social stratification, from the 'Nine-rank system' (九品中正制) to modern-day 'Second-generation wealthy' (富二代) discussions. You can use the word with rhetorical flair, perhaps using it in a speech to emphasize common origins or to challenge social prejudices. You are also aware of the most subtle connotations, such as how '出身' might be used euphemistically or pointedly in political discourse. Your command of the word allows you to navigate the most complex social situations in China, where understanding someone's '出身' is often key to understanding their motivations and social network (Guanxi). You can analyze how '出身' is portrayed in different genres of Chinese media and explain these nuances to others.

出身 در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • 出身 (chūshēn) is a noun meaning 'family background' or 'social origin'. It is used to describe the environment a person was born into or their initial career path.
  • It is distinct from 出生 (chūshēng), which means 'to be born'. 出身 focuses on the social identity and roots rather than the biological act of birth.
  • Commonly used in phrases like '出身贫寒' (poor background) or '名校出身' (prestigious school background) to categorize a person's starting point in society.
  • In modern China, it often refers to professional pedigree, helping to explain why someone has specific expertise or a particular worldview based on their roots.

The Chinese term 出身 (chūshēn) is a noun that carries significant weight in Chinese culture, referring to a person's family background, class origin, or the social environment into which they were born. While in English we might simply say 'background,' chūshēn specifically points to the roots that define one's early life and social standing. Historically, this word was deeply tied to the 'class status' (阶级成分) system during the mid-20th century in China, where one's family history could determine their educational and career opportunities. In contemporary usage, it has evolved to describe one's professional or educational pedigree, such as coming from a prestigious university or a specific industry. It is a word used to categorize the starting point of a person's journey, whether that journey began in a humble farming village or a wealthy urban household.

Etymological Breakdown
The character 出 (chū) means to go out, emerge, or come from. The character 身 (shēn) means body, self, or life. Together, they literally mean 'the body coming out,' signifying the origins from which a person emerges into society. It is not just about the act of birth (which is chūshēng), but about the social container one emerges from.
Social Context
In professional settings, you might hear someone described as 'technically trained' (技术出身) or 'from a humble background' (草根出身). This helps listeners quickly understand the person's foundational skills and perspectives. It is a shorthand for 'their professional or social identity is rooted in...'.
Modern Nuance
Today, the word is often used in biographies and interviews. When a successful entrepreneur is described as having a 'peasant background' (农民出身), it emphasizes their hard work and the distance they have traveled from their origins to their current success.

他虽然是出身贫寒,但通过努力成为了著名的科学家。

— Although he came from a poor background, he became a famous scientist through hard work.

这位导演是摄影师出身,所以他的电影画面非常精美。

— This director started as a photographer (has a photography background), so his film visuals are exquisite.

在古代,官员的出身往往决定了他们的仕途。

— In ancient times, an official's family background often determined their career path.

他并不在意对方的出身,更看重的是能力。

— He doesn't care about the other person's background; he values ability more.

名门出身的人通常会受到更好的教育。

— People from prestigious backgrounds usually receive a better education.

To truly master chūshēn, one must understand that it acts as a label for the 'mold' a person was cast from. Whether that mold is a profession, a social class, or an educational institution, it defines the early identity. In modern job markets, chūshēn is often used to discuss whether someone graduated from a '985' or '211' university (top-tier Chinese schools), which is referred to as 'academic background' (学历出身). Thus, the word remains a vital part of social categorization in the Chinese-speaking world, bridging the gap between historical class consciousness and modern meritocratic evaluation.

Using 出身 (chūshēn) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun that often functions like a descriptive label. It is frequently followed by adjectives or other nouns to specify the type of background being discussed. Unlike the English 'background,' which can be very broad (e.g., 'technical background'), chūshēn implies a more fundamental, formative origin. It answers the question: 'What kind of environment or profession did this person originally emerge from?'

Pattern: [Category] + 出身
This is the most common way to use the word. You place the origin directly before chūshēn. For example, 农村出身 (nóngcūn chūshēn) means 'from a rural background' and 工人出身 (gōngrén chūshēn) means 'from a working-class background'.
Pattern: 出身 + [Adjective]
You can describe the quality of the background. 出身贫寒 (chūshēn pínhán) means 'born into poverty' and 出身名门 (chūshēn míngmén) means 'born into a famous/noble family'. Note that in these four-character phrases, chūshēn functions almost as a verb-object construction in classical Chinese style, but is treated as a single descriptive unit in modern Mandarin.

他是法律出身,所以对合同条款非常敏感。

— He has a legal background, so he is very sensitive to contract terms.

In formal documents or biographies, you will often see the phrase '出身于' (chūshēn yú), which means 'originated from'. This is a more literary way to state one's birthplace or family status. For example, '他出身于一个书香门第' (He comes from a family of scholars). Here, the '于' acts as a preposition similar to 'in' or 'from'.

在这个竞争激烈的社会,出身固然重要,但后天的努力更关键。

— In this competitive society, background is certainly important, but acquired effort is even more crucial.

他们俩虽然出身不同,但志趣相投。

— Although the two of them come from different backgrounds, they have similar interests and goals.

Another nuance is the use of chūshēn in historical or political contexts. During certain periods, people were classified by their 'family origin' (家庭出身), which could be 'red' (revolutionary) or 'black' (landlord/capitalist). While this specific political usage has faded, the linguistic structure remains in the way Chinese people categorize social identity. When using chūshēn today, ensure you are referring to the formative background or the initial professional training that defines a person's current perspective.

You will encounter 出身 (chūshēn) in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from casual conversations about celebrities to high-stakes job interviews and academic sociological papers. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the cultural weight the word carries.

In the Workplace
HR managers often discuss a candidate's chūshēn. They might say, '我们公司喜欢招名校出身的学生' (Our company likes to hire students from prestigious backgrounds). Here, '出身' refers to the reputation of the university they attended. If a manager says, '他是业务出身' (He has a sales background), they are explaining why he is so good at negotiating, even if he is now in a different department.
In Biographies and Media
When watching a documentary or reading a biography of a famous person like Jack Ma or Mo Yan, the narrator will almost certainly mention their chūshēn. For example, '莫言出身于山东农村' (Mo Yan comes from the rural area of Shandong). This provides the necessary context for their life's work and themes.
In Social Commentary
In discussions about social mobility, people often debate whether chūshēn determines one's destiny. You might hear the phrase '寒门出贵子' (A noble son comes from a humble gate/background), which is a classic idiom discussing how someone from a poor chūshēn can still achieve great success.

在面试时,面试官问了他的专业出身

— During the interview, the interviewer asked about his professional background.

In historical dramas (Wuxia or period pieces), chūshēn is a constant theme. Characters are often judged by their clan or sect. A character might be ridiculed for their 'lowly background' (出身卑微) or respected for being 'from a family of generals' (将门出身). This reflects the long-standing Chinese cultural emphasis on lineage and the idea that one's roots shape one's character and potential. Even in modern romantic dramas, parents might object to a couple's marriage because their '出身' are too different (门当户对 - matching social status).

While 出身 (chūshēn) seems straightforward, learners often make several key errors, primarily due to confusion with similar-sounding words or misapplying the cultural context of 'background'.

Mistake 1: Confusing 出身 (chūshēn) with 出生 (chūshēng)
This is the most common error. Chūshēng is a verb meaning 'to be born' (e.g., 'I was born in 1990'). Chūshēn is a noun meaning 'family background' or 'origin'. You cannot say '我出身在上海' (I backgrounded in Shanghai); you must say '我出生在上海' (I was born in Shanghai). However, you can say '我出身于一个上海家庭' (I come from a Shanghai family background).
Mistake 2: Overusing it for any 'Background'
In English, we use 'background' for many things: 'the background of a photo,' 'the background of a story,' or 'noise in the background.' In Chinese, these are bèijǐng (背景). Chūshēn is strictly for a person's social, family, or professional origins. You would never use chūshēn to describe the background of a picture.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Word Order
Learners sometimes try to use it as a verb without the proper structure. Instead of saying 'He backgrounds as a doctor,' you should say '他是医生出身' (He is doctor-background) or '他出身于医生家庭' (He comes from a family of doctors).

错误:他出身在1985年。
正确:他出生在1985年。

— Incorrect: He 'backgrounded' in 1985. Correct: He was born in 1985.

Another subtle mistake is using chūshēn when you mean 'experience' (经历 - jīnglì). If you want to say someone has 'experience in marketing,' use jīnglì or bèijǐng. If you use chūshēn, you are implying that marketing was their *starting point* or their *core identity* as they entered the professional world. For example, 'marketing background' (市场营销出身) suggests they were trained in marketing from the beginning of their career.

To expand your Chinese vocabulary, it is essential to distinguish 出身 (chūshēn) from other words that also translate to 'background' or 'origin' in English. Each has a specific usage domain.

背景 (bèijǐng)
This is the most general term for 'background'. It can be used for people (教育背景 - educational background), but also for settings (故事背景 - story background) and visual backgrounds (背景音乐 - background music). While chūshēn focuses on the *origin*, bèijǐng focuses on the *context* or *surroundings*.
家世 (jiāshì)
This specifically refers to family history and lineage over several generations. It is more formal and literary than chūshēn. You would use this when talking about a family with a long, distinguished history (家世显赫).
来历 (láilì)
This means 'origin' or 'source' but is often used for objects or mysterious people. For example, '这个古董的来历' (the origin of this antique). If used for a person, it often implies their history is unknown or suspicious (来历不明).
门第 (méndì)
This is an old-fashioned term specifically referring to family social status. It is mostly used in the context of marriage or historical discussions about the aristocracy.

他的教育背景非常优秀,但他并不是名门出身

— His educational background is excellent, but he doesn't come from a famous family.

Choosing the right word depends on what aspect of 'background' you want to emphasize. If you are talking about where someone started their life or career, use chūshēn. If you are talking about the general context of a situation, use bèijǐng. If you are talking about the historical lineage of a family, use jiāshì. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /tʃuː ʃɛn/
US /tʃu ʃɛn/
In Mandarin, both characters are in the first tone (flat and high), so there is no specific stress as in English.
هم‌قافیه با
分 (fēn) 身 (shēn) 根 (gēn) 心 (xīn) 亲 (qīn) 真 (zhēn) 门 (mén) 春 (chūn)
خطاهای رایج
  • Pronouncing 'shen' like 'shun'.
  • Mixing up the tones (should be high-flat for both).
  • Confusing it with 'chusheng' (birth).

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

他是农民出身。

He comes from a peasant background.

Subject + 是 + [Noun] + 出身.

2

我的出身很普通。

My background is very ordinary.

出身 is the subject here.

3

她出身在一个小城市。

She comes from a small city background.

出身 used with '在' to indicate location.

4

他不看重出身。

He doesn't care about background.

出身 is the object of the verb 看重.

5

你是老师出身吗?

Do you have a background as a teacher?

Question form using 吗.

6

出身不重要,努力重要。

Background is not important; hard work is.

Simple comparison sentence.

7

他的出身很好。

His background is very good.

出身 + Adjective.

8

我们出身不同。

We come from different backgrounds.

出身 as the subject with '不同'.

1

他是工人出身的工程师。

He is an engineer with a working-class background.

[Type] + 出身 + 的 + [Current Role].

2

出身贫寒的人往往更努力。

People from poor backgrounds often work harder.

出身 + Adjective + 的人.

3

你是什么出身?

What is your background?

Standard question about origins.

4

虽然他出身名门,但他很谦虚。

Although he comes from a noble family, he is very humble.

Use of '虽然...但是...'.

5

这名导演是演员出身。

This director started as an actor.

Describing professional origin.

6

出身决定了他的性格。

His background determined his character.

出身 as a causative subject.

7

他出身于一个医生家庭。

He comes from a family of doctors.

出身于 + [Family Type].

8

了解一个人的出身很有意思。

It's interesting to learn about someone's background.

了解 + object phrase.

1

在那个年代,家庭出身非常重要。

In those days, family background was extremely important.

Refers to historical class status.

2

他是名校出身,找工作很容易。

He graduated from a prestigious school, so it's easy for him to find a job.

名校出身 refers to educational pedigree.

3

出身并不代表一个人的未来。

Background does not represent a person's future.

出身 as a philosophical subject.

4

他的出身背景比较复杂。

His background is quite complex.

出身 and 背景 used together for emphasis.

5

这位作家出身于书香门第。

This writer comes from a family of scholars.

Literary phrase: 书香门第.

6

面试官很在意候选人的专业出身。

The interviewer cares a lot about the candidate's professional background.

专业出身 refers to original field of study.

7

出身卑微并不能阻止他追求梦想。

A humble background couldn't stop him from pursuing his dreams.

出身卑微 is a formal adjective phrase.

8

他们虽然出身相似,但性格完全不同。

Although they have similar backgrounds, their personalities are completely different.

出身相似 means 'similar origins'.

1

无论出身贵贱,每个人都应该受到尊重。

Regardless of whether one's background is noble or lowly, everyone should be respected.

无论...都... structure with '贵贱' (noble/lowly).

2

他是草根出身,非常了解底层民众的生活。

He has a grassroots background and understands the lives of ordinary people very well.

草根出身 is a common modern term.

3

出身在某种程度上影响了资源的分配。

Background, to some extent, affects the distribution of resources.

Sociological context.

4

这部小说探讨了出身对个人命运的影响。

This novel explores the influence of background on individual destiny.

Literary analysis context.

5

他出身于将门,从小就想当兵。

He comes from a family of generals and has wanted to be a soldier since he was a child.

将门 refers to a family with a military tradition.

6

在古代,出身决定了你是否能参加科举考试。

In ancient times, your background determined whether you could take the imperial examinations.

Historical context.

7

他并不避讳谈论自己的贫苦出身。

He does not avoid talking about his poor background.

不避讳 means 'does not shy away from'.

8

出身名门的她,举手投足间都透着高雅。

Coming from a famous family, every move she makes exudes elegance.

Describing the effect of background on behavior.

1

他的出身赋予了他一种天然的领导力。

His background endowed him with a natural leadership ability.

赋予...一种... (endow with a kind of...).

2

社会流动性的降低使得出身变得更加关键。

The decrease in social mobility has made background even more critical.

Academic sociological discussion.

3

他那技术出身的思维方式在管理中很有优势。

His technical-background way of thinking is an advantage in management.

[Type] + 出身 + 的 + 思维方式.

4

出身显赫并不意味着可以不劳而获。

A distinguished background does not mean one can get something for nothing.

不劳而获 is an idiom meaning 'gain without effort'.

5

她虽然出身寒门,却有着不凡的志向。

Although she came from a humble home, she had extraordinary ambitions.

寒门 is a literary term for a poor family.

6

这种出身论在现代社会已经逐渐失去了市场。

This 'theory of background' has gradually lost its appeal in modern society.

出身论 refers to the belief that background is everything.

7

他出身于外交官世家,精通多国语言。

He comes from a family of diplomats and is proficient in many languages.

世家 refers to a family that has followed a profession for generations.

8

出身的不同导致了他们价值观的巨大差异。

Differences in background led to huge discrepancies in their values.

Resultative structure.

1

出身之于人,犹根之于木,源之于水。

One's background is to a person as roots are to a tree and the source is to water.

Classical Chinese parallel structure.

2

他试图通过学术成就来摆脱出身的烙印。

He tried to shake off the 'brand' of his background through academic achievement.

烙印 (branding) used metaphorically.

3

在门阀制度盛行的时代,出身几乎决定了一切。

In the era when the powerful clan system prevailed, background decided almost everything.

门阀制度 refers to a specific historical political system.

4

其出身虽微,其志则远,终成一代宗师。

Though his background was humble, his ambition was far-reaching, and he eventually became a great master of his generation.

Classical Chinese style sentence.

5

出身的优越有时反而会成为个人成长的阻碍。

The superiority of one's background can sometimes instead become an obstacle to personal growth.

Paradoxical argument structure.

6

他深入剖析了出身与社会阶层固化之间的逻辑联系。

He deeply analyzed the logical connection between background and the solidification of social strata.

阶层固化 is a high-level sociological term.

7

无论你是何种出身,法律面前一律平等。

No matter what your background is, everyone is equal before the law.

Formal legal/political statement.

8

他那草莽出身的豪气,在商战中显得尤为独特。

His 'outlaw/grassroots' background-derived heroism appeared particularly unique in business warfare.

草莽 (wild grass/outlaw) used to describe a rough, bold background.

ترکیب‌های رایج

出身贫寒
出身名门
出身名校
出身卑微
出身显赫
技术出身
草根出身
专业出身
家庭出身
科班出身

عبارات رایج

出身于

— To come from (a certain background).

他出身于一个贫苦家庭。

英雄不问出身

— Great men can come from humble beginnings.

只要有能力,英雄不问出身。

科班出身

— Professionally trained in a specific field.

他是科班出身的厨师。

书香门第出身

— Coming from a family of scholars.

她出身于书香门第,很有修养。

半路出家

— To take up a profession mid-way (opposite of being '出身' in that field).

他做程序员是半路出家。

名门出身

— Born into a noble or famous family.

名门出身的他没有一点架子。

农村出身

— Coming from a rural background.

农村出身的他非常能吃苦。

演艺出身

— Having a background in the performing arts.

这位导演是演艺出身。

草根出身

— Grassroots or humble beginnings.

草根出身的明星更接地气。

军人出身

— Having a military background.

他军人出身,做事雷厉风行。

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"英雄不问出身"

— One's value is not determined by their origin.

在职场中,英雄不问出身,只看业绩。

Common
"门当户对"

— Families of equal social rank (often regarding marriage).

古人讲究结婚要门当户对。

Traditional
"寒门出贵子"

— A noble son comes from a humble family.

他通过努力考上清华,真是寒门出贵子。

Literary
"将门有将"

— A general's family produces generals (like father, like son).

他儿子也当了将军,真是将门有将。

Literary
"白手起家"

— To start from scratch (implies humble background).

他出身贫寒,完全是白手起家。

Neutral
"出身名门"

— Born into a family of high status.

她出身名门,受过最好的教育。

Formal
"出身卑微"

— Born into a low social status.

虽然出身卑微,但他从未放弃学习。

Formal
"书香门第"

— A family with a long tradition of scholarship.

他出身书香门第,从小博览群书。

Formal
"官宦人家"

— A family of officials.

她出身官宦人家,很有见识。

Formal
"出身清白"

— Having a clean/reputable family history.

他出身清白,没有任何污点。

Formal

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

出身
出生
身份
身世

فعل‌ها

出产
出名
出事

صفت‌ها

出身好
出身差

مرتبط

背景
简历
家谱
祖籍
籍贯
مفید بود؟
هنوز نظری وجود ندارد. اولین نفری باشید که افکار خود را به اشتراک می‌گذارد!