Definitions
(noun)
non-Han people; foreigners (especially from Central Asia)
(adjective)
reckless; outrageous
(particle)
what; why
(noun)
beard; mustache
Etymology
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "flesh under the chin of a cow", which later shifted to "beard" (now written as 鬍 in traditional characters). Also used pejoratively to refer to foreigners from central Asia, who tended to have more beards than Han Chinese people. This meaning also shifted to "reckless" and "outrageous".
About
The character "胡" originated as a pictographic representation of the flesh hanging from an animal's jaw or throat, a meaning later specified by the addition of a flesh radical to create the distinct character "鬍" for beard. Structurally, it is composed of the components 古, representing sound, and 月, an altered form of the flesh radical indicating its original association with the body. From this concrete anatomical reference, its meaning broadened significantly during the Han dynasty, when it was adopted as a general term for non-Han peoples to the north and west, likely due to their notable beards. This ethnic label subsequently attached to many things considered foreign, such as "胡琴" (huqin, a family of string instruments) and "胡桃" (walnut). Over centuries, the character shed much of its pejorative connotation and evolved into a common surname, while retaining its core semantic link to things historically associated with those northern regions, even as its original pictographic sense faded from common awareness.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我今天吃了胡萝卜。
他的胡子很长。
你不要胡闹了。
他经常说胡话。
胡桃很有营养。
他留着长长的胡须。
他擅长拉胡琴。
他胡乱地写了一些字。