wong4 hau6皇后
Jyutpingwong4 hau6
Yalewòhng hauh
Definition
Empress; the principal wife of an emperor or a queen consort.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the primary wife of an emperor in historical contexts. In modern daily speech, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe a woman who acts entitled, demanding, or expects to be treated with extreme luxury and deference by others.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Where did empresses live in the past?
Related words
Common phrases
Her Imperial Majesty the Empress
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 王后, which refers to the wife of a king. Using 皇后 to describe the wife of a king is technically incorrect in historical and formal contexts, although it is sometimes used loosely in casual conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
