妾 (qiè) — concubine (in historical context); (archaic/humble self-address used by women; equivalent to 'I' in a deferential, self-deprecating tone)
Definition
A historical noun meaning 'concubine' — a woman living with a man of status but ranked below the 正妻 (principal wife). In classical writing women also used it as a humble self-address meaning 'I'.
noun
concubine (in historical context)(archaic/humble self-address used by women; equivalent to 'I' in a deferential, self-deprecating tone)
Measure word · 个
Examples
- ，妾。Zài gǔ dài, qiè de dì wèi bǐ zhèng qī dī hěn duō.In ancient times, a concubine's status was much lower than that of the principal wife.
- 妾。qiè Yǐ wéi cǐ shì hái xū sān sī.I humbly think this matter requires further consideration.
- 妾。Nà ge gù shi lǐ de dà hù rén jiā nà le sān gè qiè.In that story, the wealthy family took three concubines.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
The origin is uncertain: it may show 辛, described as a torture device, above 女, a woman, as a female criminal; another reading sees a woman with a headdress.
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