Definitions

(noun) married woman; wife

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a woman () using a broom (). Women were traditionally responsible for household chores in ancient times. also represents the sound.

About

The character "妇" finds its origin in the traditional form "婦", which is structurally composed of the radical for "woman" (女) combined with the component for "broom" (帚), a configuration that semantically connected the term to domestic labor and the societal role of a married woman. Initially denoting specifically a wife or a woman managing household affairs, the character's meaning gradually extended to encompass adult women in a more general sense, while still retaining undertones of maturity and often an implied association with marital status. The contemporary form "妇" preserves the "woman" radical but simplifies the other element, yet the historical imprint of its etymological construction continues to subtly inform its usage and interpretation.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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)
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

女们在工作。

Fùnǚmen zài gōngzuò.

The women are working.

他们是一对夫

Tāmen shì yī duì fūfù.

They are a married couple.

我的媳很孝顺。

Wǒ de xífu hěn xiàoshun.

My daughter-in-law is very filial.

需要多休息。

Yùnfù xūyào duō xiūxi.

Pregnant women need more rest.

她去看科医生。

Tā qù kàn fùkē yīshēng.

She went to see a gynecologist.

那位寡独自生活。

Nà wèi guǎfu dúzì shēnghuó.

That widow lives alone.

产科医院很忙碌。

Fùchǎnkē yīyuàn hěn mánglù.

The obstetrics and gynecology hospital is very busy.

战争对孺影响很大。

Zhànzhēng duì fùrú yǐngxiǎng hěn dà.

War has a great impact on women and children.