Definitions
(noun)
concubine; female entertainer
Etymology
Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 𦣞 represents the sound.
About
The character "姬" originated as a surname associated with the aristocratic lineage of the Zhou dynasty, its etymology tracing to the name of a river tributary central to that clan's mythology. Structurally, it is formed by the radical "女", denoting female, combined with "㠯", which primarily functions as a phonetic component. Initially designating women of high noble status, often within royal families, the term's application gradually broadened through subsequent dynasties to refer to imperial consorts or concubines, and later generalized to encompass professional female performers skilled in music and dance. This semantic progression, from a specific aristocratic identifier to a more commonplace term for entertainers, reflects changing social institutions and the evolving cultural roles of women in historical contexts.
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。