Keywords: 皇后, huanghou, Chinese empress, empress in Chinese, meaning of huanghou, empress vs queen, empress consort, Chinese royal titles, Chinese imperial family, 后宫, hòugōng, Chinese imperial history
Summary: Discover the meaning of 皇后 (huánghòu), the Chinese term for an Empress. This entry explores the deep cultural significance of the Empress in Chinese history as the Emperor's official wife and “mother of the nation.” Learn the crucial difference between a 皇后 (huánghòu) and a Western “Queen,” understand how the term is used metaphorically in modern China, and see practical examples from historical dramas and daily life.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): huánghòu
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: N/A
Concise Definition: The Empress; the principal consort and official wife of a reigning Chinese Emperor.
In a Nutshell: Think of 皇后 (huánghòu) as the ultimate female position in imperial China. She wasn't just the Emperor's wife; she was his partner in ruling, the symbolic mother of the entire nation, and the head of the vast imperial harem (`后宫 - hòugōng`). Her status, power, and conduct were seen as a reflection of the empire's stability and virtue. While