About
郎 is a phonosemantic compound: 良 (liáng) provides the sound, while the right-ear radical 阝 (from 邑) indicates 'city' or 'place'. Its original use was the name of an ancient settlement in Shandong province. Later borrowed as a title for imperial court officials, its respectable connotation broadened it into a polite term for a young man or gentleman, and in literature, an affectionate address from a woman to her husband or lover. The modern meaning is therefore a phonetic loan from the place name.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
新郎今天很忙。
那个女郎是谁？
郎君在书房看书。
他和我是郎舅关系。
唐代有侍郎官职。
郎猫喜欢晚上活动。
郎医生治好了我的病。
据说那位郎侍郎为人正直。
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