Keywords: shengnan, shèngnán, 剩男, leftover men, leftover man, single men in China, unmarried Chinese men, bachelor in China, Chinese marriage market, societal pressure, one-child policy demographics.
Summary: “剩男 (shèngnán)” is a popular Chinese term that translates to “leftover men.” It refers to urban, often educated men who remain unmarried past their late 20s or early 30s. More than just a word for “bachelor,” `剩男` encapsulates immense societal and family pressure in modern China to marry and continue the family line. This page explores the deep cultural roots, practical usage, and social implications of this uniquely Chinese concept.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shèngnán
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: N/A (Colloquial)
Concise Definition: An urban, educated man who remains unmarried past the socially accepted age, typically the late 20s or early 30s.
In a Nutshell: Imagine food remaining on a plate after a meal; that's the feeling behind “剩 (shèng)” or “leftover.” `剩男` are men who are perceived as being “left on the shelf” in the marriage market. The term carries a connotation of being undesirable or having failed a key social duty, though this is often due to high expectations, career focus, or a national gender imbalance.
Character Breakdown
剩 (shèng): This character means “to remain,” “to be left over,” or “surplus.” A very common and easy way to remember it is in the word for leftover food, `剩饭 (shèngfàn)`.
男 (nán): This character means “man” or “male.” It is composed of `田 (tián)` for “field” and `力 (lì)` for “strength,” depicting a man as someone who provides strength in the fields.
When combined, `剩男 (shèngnán)` literally means “leftover man.” The term is direct and paints a vivid picture of men who haven't been “chosen” for marriage, according to social timelines.
Cultural Context and Significance
`剩男` is a uniquely modern Chinese phenomenon born from a confluence of factors. The one-child policy (1979-2015) created a significant gender imbalance, with millions more men than women in China. This demographic reality creates intense competition in the “marriage market.”
Comparison to Western “Bachelor”: In Western culture, a “bachelor” is often a neutral or even positive term (e.g., an “eligible bachelor”). It implies freedom and choice. `剩男`, however, is almost always negative or pitiful. It implies a failure to fulfill the deep-seated Confucian value of `孝顺 (xiàoshùn)` or filial piety, a core part of which is marrying and producing an heir to continue the family name. The pressure doesn't come from the individual's desire alone, but from his parents, grandparents, and society at large.
Related Values: The concept is tied to the immense pressure of `催婚 (cuīhūn)`—when parents and relatives constantly push young people to get married. For a man to be a `剩男` is often seen as a source of shame for his entire family.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Connotation: The term is overwhelmingly negative or carries a sense of pity. It is often used in media reports discussing social problems. However, among friends or on social media, it can be used in a self-deprecating or humorous way.
Formality: It is a highly informal, colloquial term. You would not use it in a formal academic paper without defining it, but it is extremely common in everyday conversations, online forums like Weibo, and news headlines.
Usage Contexts:
Family Pressure: Parents might use it to express their anxiety: “你都三十了，想当剩男吗？” (You're already 30, do you want to be a leftover man?).
Media Discussion: News articles often analyze the “剩男 phenomenon” (`剩男现象, shèngnán xiànxiàng`).
Self-Deprecating Humor: A man might joke to his friends, “唉，我这个剩男，又得一个人过节了。” (Sigh, as a leftover man, I have to spend the holiday alone again).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他条件那么好，怎么会成为剩男呢？
Pinyin: Tā tiáojiàn nàme hǎo, zěnme huì chéngwéi shèngnán ne?
English: His qualifications are so good, how did he become a “leftover man”?
Analysis: This shows that being a `剩男` isn't always about being undesirable. It can also be due to being too picky or focusing on a career, which is surprising to the speaker.
Example 2:
别再叫我剩男了，我只是在等对的人。
Pinyin: Bié zài jiào wǒ shèngnán le, wǒ zhǐshì zài děng duì de rén.
English: Stop calling me a “leftover man,” I'm just waiting for the right person.
Analysis: This demonstrates a person rejecting the negative label, highlighting the personal-choice aspect versus the societal-failure connotation.
Example 3:
中国的剩男问题越来越引起社会关注。
Pinyin: Zhōngguó de shèngnán wèntí yuèláiyuè yǐnqǐ shèhuì guānzhù.
English: China's “leftover men” problem is drawing increasing social attention.
Analysis: This is a typical example of how the term is used in a more formal, sociological context, like in a news report.
Example 4:
我儿子快三十五了，真是个愁人的剩男。
Pinyin: Wǒ érzi kuài sānshíwǔ le, zhēnshì ge chóurén de shèngnán.
English: My son is almost thirty-five, he's such a worrisome “leftover man.”
Analysis: A classic example of a parent's anxiety. The phrase `愁人 (chóurén)` means “worrisome” or “a cause for anxiety,” which perfectly captures the parental feeling.
English: Some people believe that high housing prices are one of the reasons for the increase in “leftover men.”
Analysis: This sentence points to a practical, economic reason behind the social phenomenon. In China, owning a property is often seen as a prerequisite for a man to marry.
English: He joked that he's a “diamond leftover man,” meaning that although he's single, he's very wealthy.
Analysis: This shows a modern, slightly humorous subversion of the term. A “diamond bachelor” is a common English phrase, and this coinage attempts to reclaim some positivity.
English: Many “leftover men” and “leftover women” will look for a partner through blind dates (matchmaking).
Analysis: This sentence introduces the female counterpart, `剩女 (shèngnǚ)`, and a common solution they resort to: `相亲 (xiāngqīn)`.
Example 9:
他不是剩男，他是单身主义者。
Pinyin: Tā búshì shèngnán, tā shì dānshēn zhǔyì zhě.
English: He is not a “leftover man,” he is someone who chooses to be single (a single-ist).
Analysis: This makes a crucial distinction between being “leftover” (implying a desire to marry but failing) and consciously choosing a single life (`单身主义者, dānshēn zhǔyì zhě`).
English: If you don't take more initiative, you're really going to become a “leftover man”!
Analysis: A common piece of advice or a warning given to a single male friend, urging him to be more proactive in dating.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
False Friend: “Bachelor”: The most common mistake is to think `剩男` means “bachelor.” A bachelor can be young, old, happy, sad, looking for a partner, or perfectly content. `剩男` is highly specific: a man of marriageable age (late 20s+) in a modern urban context who is unmarried and facing social pressure because of it. It implies a problem to be solved, not a lifestyle choice.
Not for Every Unmarried Man: Do not call a 21-year-old college student a `剩男`. He is not yet “leftover” because he hasn't passed the socially-expected age for settling down. Similarly, an elderly widower is not a `剩男`.
Incorrect Usage:
`我弟弟22岁，是个剩男。 (Wǒ dìdi 22 suì, shì ge shèngnán.)` → “My younger brother is 22, he's a leftover man.”
Why it's wrong: 22 is considered too young to be “leftover.” He's just a regular single young man, or `单身 (dānshēn)`. The term `剩男` implies a sense of urgency and passing a certain age threshold.
Related Terms and Concepts
剩女 (shèngnǚ) - “Leftover woman.” The direct female counterpart to `剩男`, though the societal expectations and reasons can differ.
光棍 (guānggùn) - “Bare stick.” A more traditional and often rural term for a bachelor, especially one who is too poor to marry. It lacks the “urban and educated” connotation of `剩男`.
相亲 (xiāngqīn) - Blind dates or formal matchmaking, often arranged by parents. A common activity for `剩男` and `剩女`.
催婚 (cuīhūn) - “To rush/pressure someone into marriage.” The action that parents and relatives take, which creates the anxiety around being a `剩男`.
单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu) - “Single dog.” A modern, internet-slang term for a single person. It's more self-deprecating and humorous than `剩男`.
高富帅 (gāofùshuài) - “Tall, rich, and handsome.” The idealized man that many are competing to be, setting a high bar in the marriage market.
孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety. The core cultural value that obligates children to respect their parents, a major part of which includes marrying and having kids.
结婚 (jiéhūn) - To get married. The ultimate goal to escape the `剩男` label.
裸婚 (luǒhūn) - “Naked marriage.” A marriage without a car, a house, or a fancy wedding. A potential solution for men who can't afford the high material costs of marriage.