Definition
娘子 is a historical and literary term with two main uses: as a polite or affectionate way to address a young woman (found in classical novels and period dramas), and as a regional or folk term for one's wife. It carries an old-fashioned, formal, or romantic tone and appears commonly in traditional songs, wuxia films, and classical texts. Modern standard Chinese uses 太太 or 妻子 for 'wife' and 小姐 or 姑娘 for 'young woman', so 娘子 is restricted to stylized contexts.
n.
(historical/literary) polite term of address for a young woman(regional/dialectal) term for one's wifealso used in period dramas and folk songs
Examples
- 娘子。Tā zài gǔzhuāng jù lǐ chēng zìjǐ de qīzi wéi niáng zǐ.In a period drama, he calls his wife 'niangzi'.
- ，娘子。Gǔdài xiǎoshuō zhōng, gōngzǐ cháng yòng niáng zǐ lái chēnghu xīnyí de gūniang.In classical novels, young masters often used 'niangzi' to address the girl they admired.
- 娘子。Zhè shǒu mínyáo shì chàng gěi tā de niáng zǐ de.This folk song is sung for his 'niangzi' (his beloved wife).
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