Definitions

hóu (noun) throat; larynx

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "喉", representing the throat, is etymologically a phono-semantic compound that integrates the semantic radical "口" for mouth, linking it to functions of speech and respiration, with the component "侯" acting solely as a phonetic indicator for its pronunciation. This structural arrangement has persisted without substantial modification, reinforcing its consistent association with anatomical and vocal references. While its core meaning as the physical throat has remained unchanged, the character's usage has expanded within compound words to denote related concepts such as the voice or vocal organs in contemporary language.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的咙很痛。

Wǒ de hóulóng hěn tòng.

My throat hurts a lot.

他咳嗽时咙不舒服。

Tā késòu shí hóulóng bù shūfu.

His throat is uncomfortable when he coughs.

医生用镜检查他的咙。

Yīshēng yòng hóujìng jiǎnchá tā de hóulóng.

The doctor used a laryngoscope to examine his throat.

咙健康对歌手很重要。

Hóulóng jiànkāng duì gēshǒu hěn zhòngyào.

Throat health is very important for singers.

这个报纸是政府的舌。

Zhège bàozhǐ shì zhèngfǔ de hóushé.

This newspaper is the mouthpiece of the government.

长期吸烟可能引发癌。

Chángqī xīyān kěnéng yǐnfā hóu ái.

Long-term smoking may cause throat cancer.

在演讲前,他喝了口水润润咙。

Zài yǎnjiǎng qián, tā hē le kǒu shuǐ rùn run hóulóng.

Before the speech, he drank some water to moisten his throat.

保护咙避免过度使用声带。

Bǎohù hóulóng bìmiǎn guòdù shǐyòng shēngdài.

Protect your throat to avoid overusing your vocal cords.