About
The character "喉" for throat is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic component "口" representing the mouth or oral cavity with the phonetic component "侯" which indicates its pronunciation. Etymologically, it has consistently denoted the physical throat since its early appearances in written Chinese, with its form remaining largely unchanged over time. While the primary meaning has always referred to the anatomical passage, the character's application expanded metaphorically in classical usage, seen in compounds like "喉舌" to signify a spokesperson or voice, thus extending its association to functions of speech and communication without displacing its original literal sense.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的喉咙很痛。
他咳嗽时喉咙不舒服。
医生用喉镜检查他的喉咙。
喉咙健康对歌手很重要。
这个报纸是政府的喉舌。
长期吸烟可能引发喉癌。
在演讲前，他喝了口水润润喉咙。
保护喉咙避免过度使用声带。