素人

    sùrén

    Meaning: "素" means "simple," and "人" means "person." A term originating in Japanese, "素人" (pronounced "shirouto") refers to those who know little about a field, a job or hobby. In Japanese AV, some actresses who are not professionals but do the job occasionally are called "素人." In other words, it is equivalent to "amateurs" in English. Chinese also use the term to refer to common folks, in contrast to celebrities.

    Example

    A: 你听说过陈冉冉吗？

    Nǐ tīngshuō guò chénrǎanrǎn ma?

    Have you ever heard about Chen Ranran?

    B: 知道，这个美女律师是速算高手。

    Zhīdào, zhè gè měinǚ lǜshī shì sùsuàn gāoshǒu。

    Yeah, the pretty lawyer is a master of rapid calculation.

    A: 低调、从容和谦虚的态度让她迅速成为国民的素人偶像。

    Dīdiào、cóngróng hé qiānxū de tàidù ràng tā xùnsù chéngwéi guómín de sùrén ǒuxiàng。

    Low-key, composed and modest, this woman has quickly become a nobody-turned-national idol.