gēshǒu: 歌手 - Singer, Vocalist

• Keywords: gēshǒu, 歌手, Chinese for singer, Chinese singer, learn Chinese singer, vocalist in Chinese, Mandopop singer, C-pop, Chinese vocabulary, learn Mandarin.
• Summary: Learn how to say “singer” in Chinese with our deep dive into the word 歌手 (gēshǒu). This guide breaks down the characters 歌 (gē) and 手 (shǒu), explores the cultural significance of singers in the world of Mandopop (C-pop), and provides numerous practical examples. This page is the perfect resource for anyone wanting to discuss their favorite Chinese singer or understand the music industry in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gēshǒu
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A person who sings, especially as a profession; a singer or vocalist.
• In a Nutshell: 歌手 (gēshǒu) is the most direct and common word for “singer” in Mandarin Chinese. It combines the characters for “song” (歌) and “hand” (手) to create the idea of a “song-master” or a person skilled in the art of singing. It implies a degree of professionalism or serious dedication, much like how “writer” or “painter” in English suggests more than just a hobby.

• 歌 (gē): This character means “song” or “to sing”. It's composed of two parts. The right side, 欠 (qiàn), depicts a person with an open mouth, symbolizing the act of exhaling or vocalizing. The left side, 哥 (gē), provides the phonetic sound. Together, they form the concept of a song.
• 手 (shǒu): This character is a pictograph of a “hand”. In many Chinese words, it acts as a suffix to denote a person who is an expert, master, or professional in a particular skill. Think of an “expert hand” at something.

Combining them, 歌手 (gēshǒu) literally translates to “song hand,” which beautifully captures the meaning of a person skilled in the craft of singing—a singer.

In Chinese culture, the role of a 歌手 (gēshǒu) often extends far beyond just vocal performance. The line between a singer, an actor, and a general celebrity is much more blurred than in the West.

• The Idol Phenomenon: Heavily influenced by Korean (K-pop) and Japanese (J-pop) entertainment, many young Chinese singers are “idols” (偶像, ǒuxiàng). This means their public persona, appearance, dancing ability, and interaction with fans are just as important, if not more so, than their raw vocal talent. A 歌手 in this context is a complete entertainment package.
• Singing Competitions: Shows like “Singer” (the official show name is 歌手) and “The Voice of China” (中国好声音) are massive cultural events. They can turn an unknown 歌手 into a household name overnight. These competitions place a huge emphasis on technical skill and emotional delivery, reinforcing the idea that a true 歌手 is a master of their craft.
• Comparison to the West: While a Western artist might be categorized strictly as a “rock singer” or “pop singer,” a famous Chinese 歌手 is often expected to excel in multiple domains. It's very common for a top 歌手 to also be the lead in a blockbuster film or a popular TV drama. The career path is often more holistic, aiming for all-around stardom rather than specialization in music alone.

歌手 (gēshǒu) is a neutral and widely used term appropriate for almost any situation, from casual conversation to formal news reports.

• In Conversation: You would use it to talk about your favorite singers, ask for music recommendations, or discuss a recent concert. For example, “Who is your favorite Chinese singer?” (你最喜欢的中国歌手是谁？).
• On Social Media: Fans will refer to their favorite artists as 歌手 when discussing their new music or defending their talent online. Hashtags like #实力派歌手# (shílìpài gēshǒu - “singer with real ability”) are common.
• In Media: News articles, award shows, and music reviews will formally refer to artists as 歌手. For instance, an award category is often “Best Male/Female Singer” (最佳男/女歌手).

It's the default, go-to word for a professional or semi-professional vocalist.

• Example 1:
  • 他是一位非常有名的歌手。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi fēicháng yǒumíng de gēshǒu.
  • English: He is a very famous singer.
  • Analysis: A standard, neutral sentence for introducing someone's profession. The measure word for professionals, 位 (wèi), is used here to show respect.
• Example 2:
  • 我从小就想当一名歌手。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cóngxiǎo jiù xiǎng dāng yī míng gēshǒu.
  • English: Ever since I was little, I've wanted to be a singer.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows aspiration. 当 (dāng) means “to be” or “to work as,” and is commonly used when talking about professions.
• Example 3:
  • 你最喜欢的歌手是谁？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de gēshǒu shì shéi?
  • English: Who is your favorite singer?
  • Analysis: A classic conversational question. The structure “最喜欢的 (zuì xǐhuān de)…” means “favorite…”.
• Example 4:
  • 这位歌手的新专辑在网上很火。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi gēshǒu de xīn zhuānjí zài wǎngshàng hěn huǒ.
  • English: This singer's new album is very popular online.
  • Analysis: Here, 歌手 is the subject. 很火 (hěn huǒ), literally “very fire,” is modern slang for “very popular” or “trending.”
• Example 5:
  • 她不仅是歌手，还是一个出色的演员。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn shì gēshǒu, háishì yī gè chūsè de yǎnyuán.
  • English: Not only is she a singer, she is also an outstanding actress.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the cultural point of singers often being actors. The “不仅…还…” (bùjǐn…hái…) structure means “not only…but also…”.
• Example 6:
  • 那个乐队的主唱歌手是谁？
  • Pinyin: Nàge yuèduì de zhǔchàng gēshǒu shì shéi?
  • English: Who is the lead singer of that band?
  • Analysis: This shows how 歌手 can be combined with other words. 主唱 (zhǔchàng) means “lead vocals,” so 主唱歌手 specifies the lead singer.
• Example 7:
  • 他不是专业的歌手，只是业余爱好。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùshì zhuānyè de gēshǒu, zhǐshì yèyú àihào.
  • English: He is not a professional singer, it's just an amateur hobby.
  • Analysis: This sentence clarifies the professional connotation of 歌手. By negating it, you can describe someone who sings but not for a living.
• Example 8:
  • 颁奖典礼上，她获得了“年度最佳女歌手”奖。
  • Pinyin: Bānjiǎng diǎnlǐ shàng, tā huòdéle “niándù zuì jiā nǚ gēshǒu” jiǎng.
  • English: At the awards ceremony, she won the “Best Female Singer of the Year” award.
  • Analysis: This shows a very formal usage of the term in an official context like an awards show.
• Example 9:
  • 一个好歌手需要有独特的嗓音。
  • Pinyin: Yī gè hǎo gēshǒu xūyào yǒu dútè de sǎngyīn.
  • English: A good singer needs to have a unique voice.
  • Analysis: A general statement about the qualities of a singer. 嗓音 (sǎngyīn) means “voice” specifically in the context of singing or speaking quality.
• Example 10:
  • 很多年轻歌手通过选秀节目出道。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīng gēshǒu tōngguò xuǎnxiù jiémù chūdào.
  • English: Many young singers debut through talent competition shows.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a common path to fame in the modern Chinese music industry. 出道 (chūdào) means “to debut.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 歌手 (gēshǒu) and 歌星 (gēxīng).

• 歌手 (gēshǒu) - Singer: This refers to the profession or skill. A person who sings for a living, studies singing, or is known for their singing ability is a 歌手. They might be famous, or they might be a wedding singer or a vocal coach. The focus is on the act of singing.
• 歌星 (gēxīng) - Singing Star: This refers to the status of being a famous singer. The character 星 (xīng) means “star.” A 歌星 is by definition a celebrity.
• Key Distinction: All 歌星 are 歌手, but not all 歌手 are 歌星.
  • Correct: 周杰伦是一个很有名的歌手。 (Jay Chou is a very famous singer.)
  • Correct: 周杰伦是一个超级歌星。 (Jay Chou is a superstar.)
  • Incorrect: 我朋友在酒吧唱歌，他是一个歌星。 (My friend sings at a bar, he is a singing star.) → This is wrong because he is not famous. You should say he is a 歌手.
• Common Mistake for Hobbyists: Don't call someone who just enjoys karaoke a 歌手. This implies a level of professionalism they don't have. Instead, simply say, “He loves to sing” (他很喜欢唱歌, Tā hěn xǐhuān chànggē).

• 歌星 (gēxīng) - A “singing star.” Emphasizes fame and celebrity status, whereas 歌手 emphasizes the profession.
• 主唱 (zhǔchàng) - Lead singer, specifically the main vocalist of a band.
• 偶像 (ǒuxiàng) - Idol. A celebrity (often a young singer or actor) with a carefully managed public image.
• 音乐家 (yīnyuèjiā) - Musician. A much broader term that includes instrumentalists, composers, and conductors, not just vocalists.
• 演员 (yǎnyuán) - Actor/Actress. In the C-pop world, many singers are also actors.
• 乐队 (yuèduì) - Band/Orchestra. A group of musicians.
• 专辑 (zhuānjí) - A music album. What a 歌手 releases.
• 演唱会 (yǎnchànghuì) - Concert. A performance given by a 歌手.
• 粉丝 (fěnsī) - Fans. A phonetic loanword from English, essential to any singer's career.
• 流行音乐 (liúxíng yīnyuè) - Pop music, the most common genre for a modern Chinese 歌手.