厚

hòu

㫗 + 厂

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

hòu (adjective) thick; substantial

hòu (adjective) generous; kind

hòu (adjective) rich or strong in flavor

Etymology

Depicts a jug of wine (𣆪) that has been aging in a cave (厂), thus having a strong flavor.

About

厚 (hòu) combines the cave radical 厂 (hǎn) with an inner element that today looks like 日 (rì) on 子 (zǐ). Etymologically, these were not sun and child but a wine jug (𣆪) placed in a cave (厂), depicting wine aging into a strong, richly flavored brew. This concentrated depth gave rise to the character's core meaning of physical thickness, whether a thick book, a stout defensive wall, or a solid layer of ice. That sense of substantiality then extended metaphorically to generous attitudes, profound friendship, deep emotions, and hearty flavors.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书很厚。

Zhè běn shū hěn hòu.

This book is very thick.

这张桌子的厚度是五厘米。

Zhè zhāng zhuōzi de hòudù shì wǔ límǐ.

The thickness of this table is five centimeters.

他是一个厚道的人。

Tā shì yī gè hòudao de rén.

He is a kind-hearted person.

我们之间有深厚的友谊。

Wǒmen zhī jiān yǒu shēnhòu de yǒuyì.

There is a profound friendship between us.

这件大衣厚重而温暖。

Zhè jiàn dàyī hòuzhòng ér wēnnuǎn.

This coat is thick and warm.

这块木板非常厚实。

Zhè kuài mùbǎn fēicháng hòushi.

This wooden board is very solid.

父母对我寄予厚望。

Fùmǔ duì wǒ jìyǔ hòuwàng.

My parents have high hopes for me.

尽管面临困难，他仍以厚道的态度对待每个人。

Jǐnguǎn miànlín kùnnán, tā réng yǐ hòudao de tàidù duìdài měi gè rén.

Despite facing difficulties, he still treats everyone with a kind-hearted attitude.

Related Characters

Component: 㫗

Example Words