Definitions

páo gown (lined)

Etymology

A cloth  wrap  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "袍" has consistently denoted a specific category of clothing since its earliest appearances, constructed from the semantic component 衣 (clothing) combined with the phonetic and semantic component 包 (to wrap or envelop). This structure accurately reflects the garment's function as a long, wrapped outer robe or gown. While its graphic form has standardized over centuries, its core meaning has remained stable, referring to a voluminous garment that envelops the body. Over time, its application narrowed from a general term for robes to more specific classifications, often indicating formal, official, or ceremonial dress, yet it always retained its fundamental association with a long, wrapping garment distinct from shorter or more fitted items of clothing.

Etymology Hide

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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他穿着一件新子。

Tā chuānzhe yī jiàn xīn páozi.

He is wearing a new robe.

妈妈买了一件丝绸旗

Māmā mǎile yī jiàn sīchóu qípáo.

Mom bought a silk cheongsam.

戏台上演员的子很华丽。

Xìtái shàng yǎnyuán de páozi hěn huálì.

The actor's robe on the stage is very magnificent.

这件睡的质地非常柔软。

Zhè jiàn shuìpáo de zhìdì fēicháng róuruǎn.

The material of this nightgown is very soft.

皇帝身披一件绣龙的黄

Huángdì shēn pī yī jiàn xiù lóng de huángpáo.

The emperor wore a yellow robe embroidered with dragons.

神父穿着黑色的长主持仪式。

Shénfù chuānzhe hēisè de chángpáo zhǔchí yíshì.

The priest wore a black cassock to conduct the ceremony.

在古代,官的颜色代表不同品级。

Zài gǔdài, guānpáo de yánsè dàibiǎo bùtóng pǐnjí.

In ancient times, the color of an official's robe represented different ranks.

那件沾满尘土的战见证了他的戎马生涯。

Nà jiàn zhānmǎn chéntǔ de zhànpáo jiànzhèngle tā de róngmǎ shēngyá.

That battle robe, covered in dust, bore witness to his military career.