(guī) — (bound form) boudoir; women's quarters; used in compounds related to women's private space or close female relationships

Definition

闺 (guī) is a bound form meaning 'inner chambers of a traditional women's household' — it only appears inside compounds like 闺女 (daughter), 闺密 (best female friend), 闺房 (boudoir).

bound form
boudoirwomen's quartersused in compounds related to women's private space or close female relationships

Examples

  • Tā yǒu yí gè kě ài de guī nü.
    She has a lovely daughter.
  • Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de guī mì.
    She is my best female friend.
  • Tā de guī fáng bù zhì dé hěn wēn xīn.
    Her boudoir is decorated very warmly.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 閨; 闺 is its simplified writing.

  • méndoor
  • guīpointed jade tablet

The traditional form 閨 has 門 (door) and 圭 (pointed jade tablet), and is described as an arched door shaped like 圭. The simplified 闺 is a later shorthand.

Appears in

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.