dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì: 大男子主义 - Male Chauvinism, Machismo

• Keywords: 大男子主义, dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì, male chauvinism in China, machismo Chinese meaning, traditional Chinese masculinity, gender roles in China, Chinese sexism, what is da nan zi zhu yi, Chinese patriarchy
• Summary: 大男子主义 (dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì) is a key Chinese term for “male chauvinism” or “machismo.” It describes a patriarchal mindset where a man believes he is superior to women and should be the dominant, controlling figure in the family and society. This page explores the cultural roots, modern usage, and negative connotations of this important social concept, providing practical examples for learners of Chinese to understand gender dynamics in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (but a very common and important term)
• Concise Definition: Male chauvinism; the ideology that men are superior to women.
• In a Nutshell: “大男子主义” refers to a set of beliefs and behaviors rooted in traditional patriarchal values. A man with this attitude, often described as a “chauvinist,” believes he should be the sole decision-maker, financially provide for the family, and be exempt from domestic chores. He expects women to be submissive, obedient, and focused on the home. It is almost always used with a strong negative and critical connotation in modern China.

• 大 (dà): Big, great, large. Here, it implies an exaggerated or overbearing sense of self.
• 男 (nán): Man, male.
• 子 (zǐ): Son, child. When combined with 男, 男子 (nánzǐ) means “man” or “male,” often with a slightly more formal or generalized feel than just 男.
• 主义 (zhǔyì): A suffix meaning “-ism” (like in feminism, socialism, etc.). It indicates an ideology, doctrine, or belief system.

Combining these characters, 大男子主义 (dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì) literally translates to “big man-ism,” a vivid and intuitive name for the concept of male chauvinism.

• Roots in Confucianism: The concept is deeply intertwined with traditional Confucian social structures, which emphasized a strict hierarchy in all relationships. The idea of “男主外，女主内 (nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi)“—”man manages the outside, woman manages the inside”—was the societal ideal. This ideology assigned men to public life (work, politics) and women to the domestic sphere, creating a foundation for male authority.
• Comparison to Western “Machismo”: While very similar to “male chauvinism” or “machismo” in the West, 大男子主义 has a distinct cultural flavor. Western machismo often emphasizes virility, physical strength, and overt aggression. In contrast, Chinese 大男子主义 is often more focused on authority, control, and responsibility within the family structure. A man exhibiting it might not be overtly aggressive but will insist on making all final decisions, controlling the finances, and expecting deference from his wife and children simply because he is the man of the house. It's a chauvinism of hierarchy more than of just raw dominance.

• Connotation: Overwhelmingly negative. It's an accusation or a criticism, not a desirable trait. No one proudly proclaims, “我很有大男子主义 (Wǒ hěn yǒu dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì)” — “I am very chauvinistic.”
• Common Scenarios:
  • Relationships: A woman might complain that her boyfriend has 大男子主义 because he forbids her from wearing certain clothes, doesn't want her to have a career more successful than his, or refuses to do any housework.
  • Family: It can be used to describe older, more traditional family members (like a father or grandfather) who hold patriarchal views.
  • Workplace: It can describe a male boss or colleague who dismisses the opinions of female employees or believes they are less capable.
  • Media and Social Commentary: The term is frequently used in TV dramas, movies, and online forums to discuss relationship problems and changing gender roles in modern China.

• Example 1:
  • 他有很严重的大男子主义，总觉得女人就应该在家做饭。
  • Pinyin: Tā yǒu hěn yánzhòng de dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì, zǒng juéde nǚrén jiù yīnggāi zài jiā zuòfàn.
  • English: He has a serious case of male chauvinism; he always thinks women should just stay at home and cook.
  • Analysis: A straightforward criticism of someone's beliefs. “严重的 (yánzhòng de)” means “serious,” emphasizing the speaker's disapproval.
• Example 2:
  • 我受不了我男朋友的大男子主义，他什么事都要自己决定。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shòu bu liǎo wǒ nánpéngyou de dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì, tā shénme shì dōu yào zìjǐ juédìng.
  • English: I can't stand my boyfriend's machismo; he has to make all the decisions himself.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the “control” aspect of the term. “受不了 (shòu bu liǎo)” means “can't stand” or “can't bear,” showing strong negative emotion.
• Example 3:
  • 在我们家，我爸爸说了算，他的大男子主义思想根深蒂固。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen jiā, wǒ bàba shuō le suàn, tā de dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì sīxiǎng gēn shēn dì gù.
  • English: In our family, what my dad says goes. His male chauvinist ideas are deeply ingrained.
  • Analysis: This connects the term to a traditional family hierarchy. The idiom “根深蒂固 (gēn shēn dì gù)” means “deep-rooted,” suggesting these ideas are old and difficult to change.
• Example 4:
  • A: 你为什么不让你妻子出去工作？ B: 这不是大男子主义，我是想让她轻松一点。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ wèishéme bù ràng nǐ qīzi chūqù gōngzuò? B: Zhè búshì dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì, wǒ shì xiǎng ràng tā qīngsōng yìdiǎn.
  • English: A: Why don't you let your wife go out to work? B: This isn't male chauvinism; I just want her to have an easier life.
  • Analysis: This shows a person defending their actions against an implicit accusation of chauvinism, a common real-life scenario.
• Example 5:
  • 随着社会的发展，大男子主义越来越不受欢迎了。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe shèhuì de fāzhǎn, dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì yuèláiyuè bù shòu huānyíng le.
  • English: As society develops, male chauvinism is becoming more and more unpopular.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a societal trend and uses the term in a more abstract, sociological context.
• Example 6:
  • 他连自己的袜子都不洗，真是大男子主义的典范！
  • Pinyin: Tā lián zìjǐ de wàzi dōu bù xǐ, zhēnshi dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì de diǎnfàn!
  • English: He doesn't even wash his own socks, he's a perfect example of male chauvinism!
  • Analysis: A sarcastic and informal use of the term, linking it to the refusal to do basic domestic chores. “典范 (diǎnfàn)” means “model” or “paragon,” used here sarcastically.
• Example 7:
  • 你觉得男人为约会买单是大男子主义的表现吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde nánrén wèi yuēhuì mǎidān shì dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì de biǎoxiàn ma?
  • English: Do you think a man paying for a date is a manifestation of male chauvinism?
  • Analysis: This example poses a question about a gray area, showing how the concept is part of ongoing discussions about modern dating etiquette.
• Example 8:
  • 那个老板有大男子主义倾向，从不提拔女员工。
  • Pinyin: Nàge lǎobǎn yǒu dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì qīngxiàng, cóngbù tíbá nǚ yuángōng.
  • English: That boss has male chauvinist tendencies; he never promotes female employees.
  • Analysis: This shows the term being used in a professional, workplace context to describe discriminatory behavior. “倾向 (qīngxiàng)” means “tendency.”
• Example 9:
  • 虽然他很爱我，但他骨子里的大男子主义让我们经常吵架。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán tā hěn ài wǒ, dàn tā gǔzi lǐ de dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì ràng wǒmen jīngcháng chǎojià.
  • English: Although he loves me very much, his ingrained male chauvinism makes us argue often.
  • Analysis: “骨子里 (gǔzi lǐ)” literally means “in the bones,” a powerful way to say something is an innate or deeply ingrained part of someone's character.
• Example 10:
  • 我理想的伴侣是尊重女性、没有大男子主义的人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ lǐxiǎng de bànlǚ shì zūnzhòng nǚxìng, méiyǒu dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì de rén.
  • English: My ideal partner is someone who respects women and doesn't have a macho attitude.
  • Analysis: This shows the absence of 大男子主义 as a desirable quality in a modern partner.

• “Chauvinism” vs. “Masculinity”: A common mistake for learners is to confuse 大男子主义 with general masculinity. The Chinese term for masculinity or manliness is 男子气概 (nánzǐ qìgài), which can be a neutral or positive trait (implying strength, courage, responsibility). 大男子主义 is not about being “manly”; it's specifically about the belief in male superiority and the desire to control women.
  • Correct: 他很有男子气概，很可靠。(Tā hěn yǒu nánzǐ qìgài, hěn kěkào.) - He's very masculine and reliable. (Positive)
  • Incorrect: 他很有大男子主义，很可靠。(Tā hěn yǒu dà nán zǐ zhǔ yì, hěn kěkào.) - This is contradictory. The negative “chauvinism” clashes with the positive “reliable.”
• Not Just an “Old” Concept: While its roots are traditional, the term 大男子主义 is very much a modern critique. It's used by young people today to call out behavior they see as outdated and unfair. Don't assume it only applies to old men from the countryside; it's actively used to describe contemporaries.

• 女权主义 (nǚquán zhǔyì): Feminism. The ideological antonym of 大男子主义.
• 重男轻女 (zhòng nán qīng nǚ): “To value men and belittle women.” A related concept that focuses specifically on the preference for sons over daughters, often seen in family planning and resource allocation.
• 男子气概 (nánzǐ qìgài): Masculinity, manliness. A neutral or positive term for masculine traits, which should not be confused with the negative concept of chauvinism.
• 直男癌 (zhí nán ái): “Straight-man cancer.” A popular, highly derogatory internet slang term for a particularly stubborn, clueless, and offensive male chauvinist. It's more informal and much stronger than 大男子主义.
• 妻管严 (qī guǎn yán): Henpecked; “wife-controls-strictly.” A colloquial term for a husband who is dominated by his wife. It's often viewed as the social opposite of a 大男子主义 husband.
• 男主外，女主内 (nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi): “Man manages the outside, woman manages the inside.” The traditional ideology of gender roles that forms the basis of 大男子主义.
• 家长制 (jiāzhǎngzhì): Patriarchy. A more formal, sociological term for a system where the male is the head of the family or tribe. 大男子主义 is the personal ideology that thrives under such a system.