Definition
江湖 (Jiānghú) literally means 'rivers and lakes,' but it is a deeply cultural term in Chinese. It refers to the alternative society of wandering martial artists, outlaws, and free spirits depicted in wuxia novels and media — a world outside mainstream society with its own unwritten rules and codes. Figuratively, it also evokes the romance and danger of roaming the country, and in modern slang can hint at the underworld or any informal, competitive arena. The literal sense of 'rivers and lakes' appears in classical poetry and geography.
n.
(figurative) the world of martial arts wanderers and outlawsthe alternative society or 'underworld'(literary) rivers and lakes(by extension) the far corners of the country
Examples
- 江湖。Tā cóngxiǎo jiù mèngxiǎng chuǎngdàng Jiāng hú.He has dreamed of roaming the jianghu since childhood.
- 江湖。Jiāng hú shàng yǒu hěn duō bù chéng wén de guīju.There are many unwritten rules in the jianghu.
- 江湖。Zhè piàn húshuǐ ràng wǒ xiǎngqǐ gǔ shī cí zhōng de Jiāng hú.This lake reminds me of the 'rivers and lakes' in classical poetry.
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