Definitions

kòu old variant of 寇[kòu]
kòu old variant of 寇[kòu]
kòu to invade; to plunder; bandit; foe; enemy

Etymology

Depicts a hand holding a weapon () attacking a person () inside a building (). Based on the original meaning, "to commit violence". The meaning later shifted to "invade", "enemy" and "bandits".

About

The character 寇, meaning "bandit", "invader", or "to invade", has a structural etymology that illustrates its original meaning. Its traditional form is composed of three components: 宀 (mián), representing a roof or dwelling; 元 (yuán), originally depicting a human head but here signifying a person; and 攴 (pū), a variant of 攵 indicating a hand holding a stick or taking action. Combined, these elements create a pictorial concept of someone violently striking the head of a person inside a house, directly conveying the act of home invasion or pillaging. Over time, its meaning expanded from this specific violent intrusion to denote any plunderer, enemy force, or aggressor, and it also came to be used as a surname.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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

被我们赶走了。

Rì kòu bèi wǒmen gǎn zǒu le.

The Japanese invaders were driven away by us.

历史上曾有流作乱。

Lìshǐ shàng céng yǒu liúkòu zuòluàn.

There were roaming bandits causing trouble in history.

战士们英勇抗击敌

Zhànshìmen yīngyǒng kàngjí díkòu.

The soldiers bravely fought against the enemy invaders.

那个海盗头目实属海

Nàge hǎidào tóumù shí shǔ hǎikòu.

That pirate leader is truly a sea rover.

平定乱需要很大决心。

Píngdìng kòuluàn xūyào hěn dà juéxīn.

Suppressing bandit rebellions requires great determination.

剿灭山的行动很成功。

Jiǎomiè shānkòu de xíngdòng hěn chénggōng.

The operation to exterminate the mountain bandits was very successful.

对待民族仇绝不能手软。

Duìdài mínzú kòuchóu jué bù néng shǒuruǎn.

We must never be soft when dealing with national enemies.

这群反政府武装被定性为匪。

Zhè qún fǎn zhèngfǔ wǔzhuāng bèi dìngxìng wéi kòufěi.

This anti-government armed group was defined as bandits.