Chinese Character: 皇
1. Character Basics
Radical: 白 (bái) - White radical
Stroke Count: 9 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Huáng (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Emperor; sovereign; royal; imperial; grand; majestic
Extended Meanings:
- Imperial ruler of ancient China
- Highest authority or power
- Grand, magnificent, or supreme
- God or deity (in some contexts)
Additional Notes: Originally referred to the legendary Three Sovereigns (三皇 - Sānhuáng) in ancient Chinese mythology, later used to denote emperors of China.
4. Common Words
- 皇帝 (huángdì): Emperor
中文: 秦始皇是中国历史上第一位皇帝。
English: Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor in Chinese history.
- 皇宫 (huánggōng): Imperial palace
中文: 故宫是中国明清两代的皇宫。
English: The Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- 皇冠 (huángguān): Crown
中文: 国王戴着华丽的皇冠。
English: The king wore a magnificent crown.
- 皇室 (huángshì): Imperial family
中文: 皇室成员通常过着奢华的生活。
English: Members of the imperial family usually live a luxurious life.
- 皇后 (huánghòu): Empress
中文: 皇后在古代中国地位很高。
English: Empresses had high status in ancient China.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Noun, adjective
Common Usage:
- Used to refer to emperors, royal or imperial things
- Often combined with other characters to form words related to royalty or high status
- Can be used in both historical and modern contexts
Common Structures:
- 皇 + 名词: e.g., 皇帝 (emperor), 皇宫 (imperial palace), 皇室 (imperial family)
- 皇冠 (huángguān): Royal crown
- 皇家 (huángjiā): Royal, imperial
Usage Notes: In modern Chinese, it's mainly used in historical contexts or to describe things related to royalty. It's also used in some compound words to indicate grandeur or high quality.
6. Cultural Background
Emperor Worship in Chinese Culture:
- In traditional Chinese culture, the emperor was considered the "Son of Heaven" (天子 - tiānzǐ), linking heaven and earth
- The imperial system lasted for over 2,000 years in China
- Many Chinese cultural traditions and artifacts are related to imperial history
Historical Significance:
- The character 皇 appears in many historical texts and inscriptions
- The Qin Dynasty established the title 皇帝 (emperor) as the supreme ruler
- Imperial tombs, palaces, and artifacts are important cultural heritage sites in China
7. Example Sentence
中文: 中国历史上有许多著名的皇帝。
English: There were many famous emperors in Chinese history.
中文: 故宫博物院收藏了大量的皇家文物。
English: The Palace Museum houses a large number of imperial artifacts.
中文: 皇帝的诏书在古代具有最高权威。
English: The emperor's edict had the highest authority in ancient times.
8. Memory Tips
Memory Tips:
- Component Analysis: 皇 consists of 白 (white) and 王 (king). Think of "a king wearing white" to represent the emperor.
- Sound Association: The pronunciation "huáng" sounds similar to "皇" in Chinese. Use the sound to help you remember.
- Historical Association: Associate with famous Chinese emperors like Qin Shi Huang, Han Wudi, etc.
- Image Memory: Imagine an emperor wearing a crown and royal robes - that's the image of "皇".
- Word Association: Learn related words like 皇帝, 皇宫, 皇后 to expand your vocabulary.