sàixiānsheng: 赛先生 - Mr. Science (Personification of Science)

• Keywords: 赛先生, sai xiansheng, sàixiānsheng, Mr. Science China, Mr. Democracy, 德先生, De Xiansheng, New Culture Movement, May Fourth Movement, personification of science, Chen Duxiu, Chinese history, science in China.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 赛先生 (Sài xiānsheng), the historical personification of “Science” in China. Known as “Mr. Science,” this term was coined during the early 20th-century New Culture Movement. Alongside his partner, “Mr. Democracy” (德先生), he symbolized China's urgent quest for modernization, rational thought, and a break from feudal tradition. This entry explores the rich historical context and enduring legacy of one of modern China's most powerful ideas.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sài xiānsheng
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The personification of “Science” as “Mr. Sai,” a key ideological symbol of China's New Culture Movement (c. 1915-1925).
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a time when China was trying to rapidly modernize. Intellectuals felt the country needed new heroes to guide it. Instead of a person, they created a powerful character: “Mr. Sai,” or 赛先生 (Sài xiānsheng). “Sai” is a phonetic borrowing of the English word “Science,” and “xiānsheng” is a respectful title like “Mr.” or “teacher.” So, 赛先生 is literally “Mr. Science,” a respected teacher who could bring logic, reason, and progress to the nation. It's not just about test tubes and formulas; it represents a whole new way of thinking.

• 赛 (sài): This character's primary meaning is “to compete” or “a match/race.” However, in this specific term, it is used purely for its sound to transliterate the first syllable of the English word “Sci-ence.”
• 先 (xiān): Means “first,” “former,” or “in advance.”
• 生 (shēng): Means “to be born” or “life.”
• 先生 (xiānsheng): When combined, 先生 is a respectful term for “Mr.,” “gentleman,” or “teacher.” It literally means “one who was born before,” implying seniority and knowledge.

Putting it all together, 赛先生 combines a sound-alike character for “Science” with a respectful title, creating the powerful and memorable “Mr. Science.”

赛先生 (Sài xiānsheng) is not just a word; it's a historical monument. Its origins lie in the New Culture Movement (新文化运动), a period of intense intellectual ferment in the 1910s and 1920s. Thinkers like Chen Duxiu (陈独秀) argued that China was being held back by traditional Confucian values, superstition, and an outdated political system. To save the nation, Chen proposed inviting two great “teachers” from the West: 1. 赛先生 (Sài xiānsheng) - Mr. Science 2. 德先生 (Dé xiānsheng) - Mr. Democracy (from “De-mocracy”) These “Two Misters” became the rallying cry of the May Fourth Movement (五四运动), a massive student protest in 1919 that expanded into a nationwide cultural revolution. 赛先生 represented the embrace of rationalism, critical thinking, and the scientific method to solve China's problems, from agriculture to governance. He was seen as the antidote to superstition, fatalism, and blind adherence to tradition. Comparison to Western Concepts: There isn't a direct equivalent to “Mr. Science” in Western culture. The closest parallel is not a personification, but an entire intellectual era: The Enlightenment. Just as Enlightenment thinkers in Europe championed reason, logic, and empirical evidence to challenge the authority of monarchy and the church, Chinese intellectuals championed 赛先生 to challenge the dogmas of imperial history and feudal culture. 赛先生 was China's icon for its own Age of Reason.

You will almost never hear 赛先生 used in casual, everyday conversation. It is a historical and literary term with a specific, weighty connotation.

• Historical and Academic Context: It is used frequently in books, articles, documentaries, and university lectures about modern Chinese history, particularly the New Culture and May Fourth Movements.
• Intellectual Commentary: Journalists and writers might invoke 赛先生 in essays to argue for a more rational or scientific approach to modern social problems, or to criticize a resurgence of superstition or irrationality. It's a way of saying, “Let's not forget the foundational spirit of modern China.”
• Connotation: The term is overwhelmingly positive and carries a sense of historical importance, intellectual awakening, and progressive hope. It is formal, intellectual, and slightly poetic.

• Example 1:
  • 在新文化运动中，知识分子高举赛先生和德先生这两面大旗。
  • Pinyin: Zài Xīn Wénhuà Yùndòng zhōng, zhīshì fēnzǐ gāojǔ Sài xiānsheng hé Dé xiānsheng zhè liǎng miàn dàqí.
  • English: During the New Culture Movement, intellectuals held high the two banners of Mr. Science and Mr. Democracy.
  • Analysis: This is a classic textbook sentence describing the core role of the “Two Misters” in this historical period.
• Example 2:
  • 我们今天处理社会问题，依然需要赛先生的精神。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jīntiān chǔlǐ shèhuì wèntí, yīrán xūyào Sài xiānsheng de jīngshén.
  • English: When we handle social problems today, we still need the spirit of Mr. Science.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how the term can be used in modern commentary to refer to the *spirit* of rationalism, not just the historical concept.
• Example 3:
  • 赛先生的到来，猛烈地冲击了中国的传统思想和迷信观念。
  • Pinyin: Sài xiānsheng de dàolái, měngliè de chōngjīle Zhōngguó de chuántǒng sīxiǎng hé míxìn guānniàn.
  • English: The arrival of Mr. Science fiercely impacted China's traditional thought and superstitious beliefs.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the confrontational, revolutionary role 赛先生 played against old ideas.
• Example 4:
  • 有些人认为，我们过于强调技术，却忘记了赛先生背后的人文关怀。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén rènwéi, wǒmen guòyú qiángdiào jìshù, què wàngjìle Sài xiānsheng bèihòu de rénwén guānhuái.
  • English: Some people believe we overemphasize technology but have forgotten the humanistic care behind Mr. Science.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more nuanced, critical use of the term, suggesting the original ideal was about more than just technology.
• Example 5:
  • 这部纪录片讲述了赛先生是如何被介绍到中国的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jìlùpiàn jiǎngshùle Sài xiānsheng shì rúhé bèi jièshào dào Zhōngguó de.
  • English: This documentary tells the story of how Mr. Science was introduced to China.
  • Analysis: A straightforward use of the term when discussing its historical introduction.
• Example 6:
  • 当时的进步青年把赛先生奉为偶像。
  • Pinyin: Dāngshí de jìnbù qīngnián bǎ Sài xiānsheng fèng wéi ǒuxiàng.
  • English: The progressive youth of that time revered Mr. Science as an idol.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the passionate, almost religious fervor with which the idea of Science was adopted.
• Example 7:
  • 如果没有赛先生，中国的现代化进程可能会更慢。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu Sài xiānsheng, Zhōngguó de xiàndàihuà jìnchéng kěnéng huì gèng màn.
  • English: Without Mr. Science, China's modernization process might have been slower.
  • Analysis: This is a hypothetical sentence stressing the historical importance of the concept.
• Example 8:
  • 他写了一篇关于赛先生与中国社会变迁的论文。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiěle yī piān guānyú Sài xiānsheng yǔ Zhōngguó shèhuì biànqiān de lùnwén.
  • English: He wrote a thesis on Mr. Science and social change in China.
  • Analysis: Shows its common usage in an academic context.
• Example 9:
  • 赛先生不仅仅指自然科学，也包括社会科学的逻辑和方法。
  • Pinyin: Sài xiānsheng bùjǐnjǐn zhǐ zìrán kēxué, yě bāokuò shèhuì kēxué de luójí hé fāngfǎ.
  • English: Mr. Science doesn't just refer to natural sciences, but also includes the logic and methods of social sciences.
  • Analysis: This clarifies the broad scope of the concept—it's about a rational worldview in general.
• Example 10:
  • 鲁迅的许多作品都体现了对赛先生的呼唤。
  • Pinyin: Lǔ Xùn de xǔduō zuòpǐn dōu tǐxiànle duì Sài xiānsheng de hūhuàn.
  • English: Many of Lu Xun's works reflect the call for Mr. Science.
  • Analysis: This connects 赛先生 to a major figure in modern Chinese literature, showing its cultural pervasiveness among intellectuals of the era.

• Common Mistake 1: Assuming Sài xiānsheng is a real person.
  • A learner might ask, “Who was Mr. Sai?” It's crucial to remember he is a personification, a symbolic character representing an idea, much like “Uncle Sam” represents the USA.
  • Incorrect: `我的科学老师是王先生，他也是一位赛先生。(Wǒ de kēxué lǎoshī shì Wáng xiānsheng, tā yěshì yī wèi Sài xiānsheng.)` - This is wrong. You cannot call a person `Sài xiānsheng`.
  • Correct: `我的科学老师很有赛先生的精神。(Wǒ de kēxué lǎoshī hěn yǒu Sài xiānsheng de jīngshén.)` - “My science teacher really has the spirit of Mr. Science (i.e., is very rational and scientific).”
• Common Mistake 2: Using it in everyday conversation.
  • This term is too formal and historical for casual chat. Talking about 赛先生 at the dinner table would be like bringing up “The Spirit of the Enlightenment” while ordering a coffee. It sounds out of place.
  • Incorrect: `你看这个手机，真是赛先生的伟大发明！(Nǐ kàn zhège shǒujī, zhēnshi Sài xiānsheng de wěidà fāmíng!)` - This sounds bizarre and overly dramatic.
  • Correct: `你看这个手机，真是伟大的科学发明！(Nǐ kàn zhège shǒujī, zhēnshi wěidà de kēxué fāmíng!)` - Use the standard word 科学 (kēxué).

• 德先生 (Dé xiānsheng) - “Mr. Democracy.” The inseparable partner of 赛先生. They are almost always mentioned together as the “Two Misters” who were meant to save China.
• 科学 (kēxué) - The modern, standard, and neutral word for “science.” Use this in all everyday situations.
• 新文化运动 (Xīn Wénhuà Yùndòng) - The New Culture Movement. The historical and intellectual movement from which 赛先生 emerged.
• 五四运动 (Wǔsì Yùndòng) - The May Fourth Movement. The student-led political and cultural movement that was the high point of the New Culture Movement and cemented the importance of 赛先生.
• 陈独秀 (Chén Dúxiù) - The prominent intellectual and co-founder of the Chinese Communist Party who famously championed 赛先生 and 德先生.
• 民主 (mínzhǔ) - The modern, standard word for “democracy.”
• 启蒙 (qǐméng) - “Enlightenment.” This term describes the spirit of intellectual awakening that 赛先生 represents.
• 迷信 (míxìn) - “Superstition.” This is one of the primary traditional concepts that 赛先生 was intended to fight against.
• 理性 (lǐxìng) - “Reason” or “rationality.” This is the core value embodied by 赛先生.