妾 (qiè) — concubine (in historical context); (archaic/humble self-address used by women; equivalent to 'I' in a deferential, self-deprecating tone)
Definition
A historical noun meaning 'concubine' — a woman living with a man of status but ranked below the 正妻 (principal wife). In classical writing women also used it as a humble self-address meaning 'I'.
noun
concubine (in historical context)(archaic/humble self-address used by women; equivalent to 'I' in a deferential, self-deprecating tone)
Measure word · 个
Examples
- ，妾。Zài gǔ dài, qiè de dì wèi bǐ zhèng qī dī hěn duō.In ancient times, a concubine's status was much lower than that of the principal wife.
- 妾。qiè Yǐ wéi cǐ shì hái xū sān sī.I humbly think this matter requires further consideration.
- 妾。Nà ge gù shi lǐ de dà hù rén jiā nà le sān gè qiè.In that story, the wealthy family took three concubines.
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