Xiaosheng
The xiaosheng is a male role type in Chinese opera and a subtype of the sheng. Most xiaosheng characters are young Confucian scholars or, less often, young warriors.
Unlike laosheng actors, xiaosheng actors do not wear a beard. However, not all beardless roles are necessarily xiaosheng, for example eunuchs can be played by xiaosheng, chou, jing, or longtao actors.
Subtypes
Confucian scholars and officials
The or, sometimes also known as the, is a young Confucian scholar who has yet to pass the imperial examination. He wears the rujin on his head and often holds a hand fan. This role is often featured in romantic dramas and requires the ability to play with the fan to exude an air of elegance and class.A slightly different version is the, also known as or, the impoverished young scholar. Although optimistic for the future, he is dejected and frustrated, and drags his feet in half-on shoes when he walks. In kunqu, he sings and talks with a "sad sound" and does not dance.
The, known as or or simply in kunqu, is a young scholar who recently passed the imperial examination and became a scholar-official. He wears the futou and a belt which could only be worn by government officials.
File:大稻埕_戲苑_歌仔戲.jpg|thumb|A Taiwanese opera actress portrays the young warrior Xue Dingshan, with two long pheasant tail feathers extending from her headwear.
Warriors
Beardless warriors who only "fight" on stage are considered wusheng rather than xiaosheng. However, the young warrior who sings is known as the. A wuxiaosheng with some stature wears a cap with two long pheasant tail feathers attached and is known as the or ; this is usually a young general or a general's young son. A zhiweisheng actor must be skilled at handling the feathers with their hands to express emotions.In Cantonese opera, the leading male role is usually the, which combined the xiaosheng and the wusheng into one role. This role type is also present in Hakka opera.