王后

• Pinyin: wáng hòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 王 = pictograph of an axe head symbolizing authority; 后 = depicts a person of rank behind another

Meaning

Queen (as king's wife). The wife of a reigning king.

Specifically refers to the wife of a king (王), not a queen regnant who rules in her own right (女王). Used in historical contexts, fairy tales, and discussions of foreign monarchies. In Chinese chess, the queen piece is also called 后 or 王后.

Examples

1. 童话故事里，王后总是穿着华丽的长裙。 In fairy tales, the queen always wears gorgeous gowns.
2. 这位王后以慈善事业闻名，深受人民爱戴。 This queen is famous for her charitable work and is deeply loved by the people.
3. 国王和王后一起出席了开幕典礼。 The king and queen attended the opening ceremony together.

Usage Guide

Context: royalty, fairy tales, history

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 王后住在王宫里。(The queen lives in the royal palace.)
• 这是王后的王冠。(This is the queen's crown.)

Don't Say

• 英国的王后伊丽莎白 — 伊丽莎白二世是女王(Queen regnant)，不是王后(Queen consort)

Origin & History

Compound of 王 (king) + 后 (queen consort). 后 originally meant 'ruler' but came to specifically mean 'queen consort.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal