About
The character 姑 is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the semantic component 女, denoting woman, and the phonetic element 古, which historically indicated its pronunciation. Originally, this character specifically referred to a paternal aunt or a husband's mother, roles associated with elder female authority within the family structure. Its semantic range later broadened to include a husband's sister, and through usage in compounds such as 姑娘, it acquired a more general application to young women or girls. This shift from precise kinship terminology to a wider, sometimes more casual, reference for women demonstrates how the character's meaning has adapted while its fundamental construction has remained unchanged.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
她是我的姑姑。
那个姑娘很漂亮。
姑妈给我买了礼物。
姑父是一位医生。
我们姑且相信他吧。
不能姑息这种错误。
姑婆从乡下回来了。
姑爷对家人很好。