Definitions

láng (noun) young man; youth
láng (noun) minister; official

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⻏ represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally a place name for what is now Shandong province. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

郎 consists of the phonetic element 良 (liáng) on the left and the right-ear radical 阝 on the right, which denotes a city or place (derived from 邑). Originally, 郎 was a proper noun for a specific ancient settlement. During the imperial era, it was adopted as a title for court officials and ministers. This association with respected positions led to its semantic expansion, making it a polite term for a young man or gentleman. In literature, it also became an affectionate term used by a woman to address her husband or romantic partner.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天很忙。

Xīnláng jīntiān hěn máng.

The bridegroom is very busy today.

那个女是谁?

Nàgè nǚláng shì shéi?

Who is that young woman?

君在书房看书。

Lángjūn zài shūfáng kànshū.

The husband is reading in the study.

他和我是舅关系。

Tā hé wǒ shì lángjiù guānxì.

He and I are in a brother-in-law relationship.

唐代有侍官职。

Tángdài yǒu shìláng guānzhí.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was the official position of shilang.

猫喜欢晚上活动。

Lángmāo xǐhuān wǎnshàng huódòng.

Tomcats like to be active at night.

医生治好了我的病。

Láng yīshēng zhì hǎo le wǒ de bìng.

Doctor Lang cured my illness.

据说那位为人正直。

Jùshuō nà wèi láng shìláng wéirén zhèngzhí.

It is said that that Lang Shilang is an upright person.