xìngsāorǎo: 性骚扰 - Sexual Harassment

• Keywords: 性骚扰, xingsaorao, sexual harassment in China, Chinese #MeToo, China sexual assault laws, what is xingsaorao, workplace harassment China, how to say sexual harassment in Chinese, 米兔运动.
• Summary: 性骚扰 (xìngsāorǎo) is the direct Chinese term for “sexual harassment.” It refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Understanding this term is crucial for navigating modern Chinese social issues, workplace dynamics, and the legal landscape, especially following the impact of the global #MeToo movement (known as 米兔运动, mǐ tù yùndòng, in China). This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage for learners of Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìng sāorǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun (can also be used as a verb)
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: The act of sexual harassment.
• In a Nutshell: “性骚扰” is the standard, formal term for any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. While the concept is modern, the term is now firmly established in Chinese law, company policies, and public discussion. It covers a wide range of actions, from inappropriate jokes and comments to unwelcome physical contact.

• 性 (xìng): This character's core meaning is “sex,” “gender,” or “nature.” In this context, it specifically refers to “sex” or “sexual.”
• 骚 (sāo): A complex character. While historically it could mean “elegant” or “sorrow,” in modern vernacular it carries a strong negative meaning of “lewd,” “flirtatious in a sleazy way,” “coquettish,” or “provocative.”
• 扰 (rǎo): This character means “to disturb,” “to trouble,” or “to harass.” The hand radical (扌) on the left suggests an action of bothering someone.

When combined, 性 (sexual) + 骚 (lewd/inappropriate) + 扰 (disturbance/harassment) creates the unambiguous and direct meaning of “sexual harassment.”

“性骚扰” is a relatively modern term in the Chinese lexicon, gaining widespread use as China's society and legal system modernized. Historically, in a culture influenced by Confucian values that prized social harmony and modesty, such behavior was not categorized under a specific legal term. It might have been described using broader terms like 流氓 (liúmáng) - hooliganism or as an act that causes someone to 丢脸 (diūliǎn) - lose face. The focus was often on the shame and social disgrace rather than the violation of an individual's rights. The most significant shift in the discussion around 性骚扰 came with the global #MeToo movement, which found its voice in China as the #米兔运动 (mǐ tù yùndòng). Despite censorship, the movement sparked unprecedented public discourse, leading to greater awareness and culminating in a major legal milestone: in 2021, China's first-ever Civil Code explicitly defined sexual harassment and mandated that schools and businesses take measures to prevent it. Compared to the West, the core concept of sexual harassment is now very similar. The primary cultural difference lies in the response. Due to the cultural importance of 面子 (miànzi) - “face” and 关系 (guānxi) - “connections,” victims may still face significant social pressure to remain silent, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. Reporting an incident can be seen as disrupting harmony and causing “face loss” for all involved, making the act of 维权 (wéiquán) - defending one's rights a particularly difficult and courageous step.

“性骚扰” is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from formal and legal to informal and personal.

• In a Formal/Legal Setting: This is the official term used in legal documents, corporate HR policies, news reports, and academic discussions. It is precise and carries significant weight.
• In Everyday Conversation: People use it when discussing personal experiences, news events, or social issues. It is a serious accusation and not used lightly. When confiding in a friend, someone might describe a pattern of behavior and label it as 性骚扰.
• On Social Media: The term is prevalent on platforms like Weibo, where netizens discuss high-profile cases and advocate for victims' rights. The hashtag #米兔 and discussions of 性骚扰 have been instrumental in pushing for social and legal change.

• Example 1:
  • 公司对性骚扰采取零容忍政策。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī duì xìngsāorǎo cǎiqǔ líng róngrěn zhèngcè.
  • English: The company has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: This is a typical sentence you would find in a company handbook or official statement. It's formal and direct.
• Example 2:
  • 如果你感觉自己被性骚扰了，你应该立即向人力资源部报告。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ gǎnjué zìjǐ bèi xìngsāorǎo le, nǐ yīnggāi lìjí xiàng rénlì zīyuán bù bàogào.
  • English: If you feel you have been sexually harassed, you should report it to the HR department immediately.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the passive structure “被 (bèi)” to indicate that the action was done to someone. This is a common way to talk about being a victim of harassment.
• Example 3:
  • 这位女演员站出来指控那位著名导演对她进行性骚扰。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi nǚ yǎnyuán zhàn chūlái zhǐkòng nà wèi zhùmíng dǎoyǎn duì tā jìnxíng xìngsāorǎo.
  • English: The actress came forward to accuse the famous director of sexually harassing her.
  • Analysis: The phrase “进行 (jìnxíng)” means “to carry out” or “to conduct,” and it's often paired with two-character nouns like 性骚扰 to sound more formal, similar to “to carry out harassment.”
• Example 4:
  • 在地铁上防止性骚扰是一个重要的公共安全问题。
  • Pinyin: Zài dìtiě shàng fángzhǐ xìngsāorǎo shì yīgè zhòngyào de gōnggòng ānquán wèntí.
  • English: Preventing sexual harassment on the subway is an important public safety issue.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in a broader societal context, discussing prevention and public policy.
• Example 5:
  • 他的行为已经构成了性骚扰。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yǐjīng gòuchéng le xìngsāorǎo.
  • English: His behavior already constitutes sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: “构成 (gòuchéng)” means “to constitute” or “to amount to,” a word frequently used in legal or formal evaluations of behavior.
• Example 6:
  • 她因为长期的性骚扰而患上了抑郁症。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi chángqī de xìngsāorǎo ér huàn shàng le yìyùzhèng.
  • English: She developed depression because of long-term sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the serious consequences of harassment.
• Example 7:
  • 什么是性骚扰？这个界限有时候很模糊。
  • Pinyin: Shénme shì xìngsāorǎo? Zhège jièxiàn yǒu shíhòu hěn móhu.
  • English: What is sexual harassment? The boundary is sometimes very blurry.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects a common discussion point about defining what actions cross the line into harassment.
• Example 8:
  • 他总是开一些不合适的玩笑，这让我觉得是一种性骚扰。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì kāi yīxiē bù héshì de wánxiào, zhè ràng wǒ juédé shì yīzhǒng xìngsāorǎo.
  • English: He always tells inappropriate jokes, which makes me feel it's a form of sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: This shows how verbal actions, not just physical ones, can be classified as 性骚扰.
• Example 9:
  • 她决定起诉他性骚扰。
  • Pinyin: Tā juédìng qǐsù tā xìngsāorǎo.
  • English: She decided to sue him for sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: Here, 性骚扰 acts as the legal grounds for the lawsuit (“起诉 (qǐsù)”).
• Example 10:
  • 中国的米兔运动提高了公众对性骚扰问题的认识。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de Mǐtù yùndòng tígāo le gōngzhòng duì xìngsāorǎo wèntí de rènshi.
  • English: China's #MeToo movement raised public awareness of the issue of sexual harassment.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links the term to its most important recent social context.

• Mistake 1: Confusing 性骚扰 (xìngsāorǎo) with 调戏 (tiáoxì).
  • 调戏 (tiáoxì) means “to take liberties with,” “to flirt with offensively,” or “to tease.” It often refers to a one-off, less severe incident like cat-calling or making a pass. While negative and inappropriate, it doesn't carry the same legal or systematic weight as 性骚扰.
  • 性骚扰 (xìngsāorǎo) is a broader, more serious term that implies a pattern of behavior or an action that creates a hostile environment, and it is the term used in legal and HR contexts. Using 性骚扰 for a minor incident might be seen as an overstatement, while using 调戏 for a serious case of workplace harassment would be a significant understatement.
• Mistake 2: Underestimating the term's gravity.
  • For English speakers, “harassment” can sometimes be used more casually. In Chinese, directly accusing someone of 性骚扰 is extremely serious and implies a major violation. It is not a term to be used lightly in conversation.
• False Friend: Not a word, but a concept.
  • The Western concept of “flirting” does not have a perfect, positive equivalent in traditional Chinese culture. Actions that a Westerner might see as harmless flirting could be interpreted as 调戏 or even a form of 性骚扰 in a Chinese context, especially in a professional setting where propriety is highly valued. It's crucial to be aware of different cultural boundaries.

• 米兔运动 (mǐ tù yùndòng) - The #MeToo Movement. A phonetic translation that became the name for the movement in China.
• 性侵 (xìngqīn) - Sexual assault. A much more severe crime involving physical violation.
• 调戏 (tiáoxì) - To take liberties with; to flirt offensively. A less severe but still negative term often referring to unwanted advances.
• 流氓 (liúmáng) - Hooligan; rogue. An older, more general term for a person with improper, predatory, or thuggish behavior.
• 性别歧视 (xìngbié qíshì) - Gender discrimination. The broader social issue that often provides the context for sexual harassment.
• 职场 (zhíchǎng) - Workplace. The environment where discussions about 性骚扰 are most common.
• 维权 (wéiquán) - To defend/protect one's rights. The act of seeking legal or social justice after being wronged.
• 受害者 (shòuhàizhě) - Victim (literally “person who receives harm”).
• 咸猪手 (xián zhū shǒu) - Literally “salty pig hand.” A very common slang term for a groper or someone whose hands wander inappropriately, especially in crowded public places. It describes the action of groping.