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霸王 (bà wáng) — Xiang Yu the Conqueror (232–202 BCE), historical overlord of Western Chu; overlord, despot, domineering figure (in a field or context)

Definition

Literally 'hegemon-king': refers to Xiang Yu, and by extension a domineering, overbearing figure. As a prefix (e.g. 霸王条款), it flags a one-sided, exploitative contract or policy.

noun
Xiang Yu the Conqueror (232–202 BCE), historical overlord of Western Chuoverlorddespotdomineering figure (in a field or context)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 霸王。
    bà wáng Xiàng yǔ shì qín mò zhù míng de jūn shì jiā.
    The Hegemon-King Xiang Yu was a famous military strategist at the end of the Qin dynasty.
  • 霸王，。
    Tā zài gōng sī lǐ xiàng gè bà wáng, cóng bù tīng qǔ bié rén de yì jiàn.
    He acts like a despot in the company, never listening to others' opinions.
  • 霸王。
    Zhè zhǒng bà wáng xíng wéi ràng hěn duō rén gǎn dào bù mǎn.
    This kind of domineering behavior makes many people unhappy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

霸bàhegemon
王wángking

The 霸 (hegemon) and 王 (king) are parallel ruler terms, giving overlord.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The original form paired 革 with 月 to show changes in moonlight.

Open 霸 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 王 comes from a picture of a ritual axe, an object kept near a throne and connected with royal power.

Open 王 →
Appears in
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