Definition
龙套 originally referred to the dragon-embroidered robe worn by minor actors in traditional Chinese opera, and by extension the actor playing a walk-on role. In modern usage it's a metaphor for an insignificant or supporting role in any context — someone who is just 'filling the ranks' rather than a lead player.
n.
(in Chinese opera) a walk-on rolea bit part(figurative) an insignificant rolea minor player
Examples
- ，。Tā zài xìbān li yìzhí pǎo lóng tào, cóng méi yǎn guò zhǔjué.He has always played walk-on roles in the opera troupe and never played a lead.
- ，龙套，。Zài zhège xiàngmù li, wǒ zhǐ shì ge lóng tào, zhēnzhèng zuò juédìng de shì jīnglǐ.In this project, I'm just a minor player; the manager is the one who really makes decisions.
- 龙套，。Bié xiǎokàn lóng tào yǎnyuán, méiyǒu tāmen xì jiù yǎn bù chéng le.Don't underestimate the bit-part actors; without them the show couldn't go on.
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