chavalit Posted November 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM I'm wondering what this means: 他是一个甘当绿叶的人 I can't find 甘当 and 绿叶 in my dictionary but from google 甘当 seems to be "willing to be". I have no idea what 绿叶 means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:12 AM Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:12 AM I think, and wait and see if anyone confirms, that it means you're willing to play a supporting / background role, and not to be the star or hero - ie you're the leaves, not the flower. Would that make sense in context? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HashiriKata Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:16 AM Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:16 AM 绿叶 mean green leaves. I guess that the sentence means something like "He's a person who'd be willing to act as a foil for or in support of someone else". A native speaker may be easily able to help you with this. (Just see Roddy's post now ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chavalit Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM Thank you all. The sentence is from an article about a movie actor who usually appears in a supporting role. I just couldn't understand the use of "green leaves". The explanation:"ie you're the leaves, not the flower." really hit the spot for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted November 8, 2008 at 01:27 PM Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 at 01:27 PM Re 綠葉, it's from the saying 牡丹雖好，也須綠葉扶持 (there are other variants). 甘 = 甘願 當 = 擔當 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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