乎 (hū) — (modal particle, Classical) marks an exclamation or rhetorical question, often in literary or formal contexts
Definition
Classical/literary particle that turns a statement into an exclamation or rhetorical question, as in 不亦乐乎 ("isn't it a joy!"). You will only see it in fixed phrases or classical-style writing.
particle
(modal particle, Classical) marks an exclamation or rhetorical question, often in literary or formal contexts
Examples
- ！Bú yì lè hū!Isn't it joyful! (from Confucius, often used to express delight)
- 乎？Qǐ bù bēi hū?How could it not be sad? (rhetorical question in literary style)
- 乎，。Shàn hū, wú zhī suǒ dé.How excellent — that which I have attained. (archaic exclamation)
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 丂丂kǎobranch
The old 乎 paired an element for wind or air with 丂, a branch used as a sound part, and was the original form of the word for 'to call; to cry'.
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