Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of an arrow (矢) hitting a target. Based on the original meaning "target (archery)". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "marquis", likely because archery was associated with people of high ranking.
About
The character 侯 (hóu) originally depicted shooting an arrow at a target. Its structure combines the person radical 亻 (rén) with the arrow component 矢 (shǐ), indicating human action with a projectile. In ancient China, archery was a vital skill and ceremonial practice among the nobility. This led the character's meaning to evolve from the physical act of shooting to representing the elite individuals who performed these rituals. As a result, 侯 primarily came to signify a high-ranking noble title, translated as "marquis", and is commonly found in historical texts referring to feudal lords or senior officials under the emperor.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
侯老师教语文。
侯爵拥有大片土地。
昨天侯先生来了。
诸侯国之间常战争。
这位侯爵非常慷慨。
侯先生虽然年轻，但很有经验。
在古代，侯爵是贵族称号。
当侯先生抵达时，我们正在讨论这个计划。