faan2 cyun3反串
Jyutpingfaan2 cyun3
Yalefáan chyun
Definition
To play a role of the opposite sex in a drama, film, or play.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Originally rooted in traditional Chinese opera where male actors played female roles, this term has evolved to describe any performance where an actor adopts the persona of the opposite gender. It is frequently used in the context of variety shows or comedic skits where a performer intentionally exaggerates the traits of the opposite sex for entertainment. Unlike simply wearing clothes of the opposite sex, the term specifically implies taking on a character role.
Examples
He plays a man in the movie by cross-dressing.
Do you think his cross-dressing as a girl looks convincing?
Related words
Common phrases
cross-gender performance
cross-gender role
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply dressing up as the opposite sex for fun or daily fashion, which is better described as 扮女人 or 扮男人. The term specifically carries a theatrical or performative connotation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
