Meanings of 娼
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About 娼
Podcast: 娼
Podcast: 娼
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AI Study Notes for 娼
Be cautious with the usage of 娼, as it is considered derogatory and may offend if used inappropriately. It is more common in written Chinese, especially in literature or discussions about societal issues. A common collocation is 娼妓 (chāng jì), meaning 'prostitute,' which is used more formally.
While 娼 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary around social issues and professions. Students at this level should focus on understanding context and connotation, especially when discussing sensitive topics.
Learners often confuse 娼 with 妓, using them interchangeably. While both refer to prostitution, remember that 娼 is more formal and has a heavier connotation, so use 妓 for more casual conversations.
Pronunciation of 娼
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Etymology of 娼
Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 昌 represents the sound.
woman
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 娼
Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 昌 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half女 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half昌 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaywoman
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 娼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 娼
Identify the Components
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How to say prostitute, harlot in Chinese
“prostitute, harlot” in Chinese is娼
The character 娼 (chāng) refers to a prostitute or harlot, often implying a woman who engages in sexual activities for money. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation, and has a negative connotation in most uses. Understanding this term can provide insight into discussions about societal issues and gender roles in modern Chinese culture.
When to use 娼
Be cautious with the usage of 娼, as it is considered derogatory and may offend if used inappropriately. It is more common in written Chinese, especially in literature or discussions about societal issues. A common collocation is 娼妓 (chāng jì), meaning 'prostitute,' which is used more formally.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 娼 with 妓, using them interchangeably. While both refer to prostitution, remember that 娼 is more formal and has a heavier connotation, so use 妓 for more casual conversations.
Write 娼
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Practice writing 娼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 娼
娼 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我早该知道你会跟哪个小____妇在一起。
I might have known I'd find you with some little slut.
Example Sentences for 娼 (3)
Word Family of 娼
Compound Meaning
What does 嫖娼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 娼
Both terms refer to a prostitute, but 娼 (chāng) is more literary and formal, while 妓 (jì) is more commonly used in everyday language.
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