倭

wō

亻 + 委

Definitions

wō dwarf; Japanese (derog.) (old)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 委 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 委

About

倭 is a phono-semantic compound: 亻 (person) suggests a human connection, and 委 gives the sound. In Chinese historical texts, it was the standard designation for Japan and its people, though scholars still debate why this character was chosen. Over time, it developed pejorative meanings like "short" or "dwarf", prompting the Japanese to officially replace it with the more favorable 和. In modern Chinese, the character is now limited mainly to historical discussions or derogatory terms.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

历史上倭寇曾侵扰沿海。

Lìshǐ shàng wōkòu céng qīnrǎo yánhǎi.

Historically, Japanese pirates invaded coastal areas.

这把倭刀很锋利。

Zhè bǎ wōdāo hěn fēnglì.

This Japanese sword is very sharp.

古代中国称日本为倭国。

Gǔdài Zhōngguó chēng Rìběn wéi wōguó.

In ancient China, Japan was called Wa country.

倭寇的活动在明朝时期很频繁。

Wōkòu de huódòng zài Míngcháo shíqī hěn pínfán.

The activities of Japanese pirates were frequent during the Ming dynasty.

研究倭寇历史有助于理解东亚海洋史。

Yánjiū wōkòu lìshǐ yǒu zhù yú lǐjiě Dōngyà hǎiyáng shǐ.

Studying the history of Japanese pirates helps in understanding East Asian maritime history.

倭刀的制作工艺体现了日本传统的锻造技术。

Wōdāo de zhìzuò gōngyì tǐxiàn le Rìběn chuántǒng de duànzào jìshù.

The craftsmanship of Japanese swords reflects traditional Japanese forging techniques.

尽管倭寇在历史上造成了破坏，但也促进了沿海防御的发展。

Jǐnguǎn wōkòu zài lìshǐ shàng zàochéng le pòhuài, dàn yě cùjìn le yánhǎi fángyù de fāzhǎn.

Although Japanese pirates caused destruction in history, they also promoted the development of coastal defense.

学者们对倭寇的组成及其与当时日本政权的关系存在不同看法。

Xuézhě men duì wōkòu de zǔchéng jí qí yǔ dāngshí Rìběn zhèngquán de guānxì cúnzài bùtóng kànfǎ.

Scholars have different views on the composition of Japanese pirates and their relationship with the Japanese government at that time.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 委

倭