About
The character 姬 is a phono-semantic compound that combines the semantic element 女, representing 'woman, female,' with the phonetic element 𦣞, which indicates the pronunciation. In ancient China, it served as the royal surname of the Zhou Dynasty, a highly prestigious family name. The Zhou royal women were considered models of nobility and refinement, so the meaning of the character broadened from a surname to denote any beautiful or noble lady. In later historical periods, the term underwent a descent in social status, being applied to professional female entertainers, singers, or concubines employed by wealthy families. This shift illustrates how the word moved from an exalted dynastic name to a designation for women in domestic and entertainment roles.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这位歌姬很受欢迎。
舞姬在台上表演舞蹈。
虞姬是项羽的爱人。
古代有许多能歌善舞的姬妾。
那位著名的歌姬举办了一场音乐会。
虽然她出身平凡，但最终成为了一代歌姬。
与舞姬相比，歌姬更注重声音的培训。
在历史记载中，姬姓曾是周朝的王族姓氏。
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