皇后
huánghòu/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/
The English word "empress" is translated into Chinese as 皇后 (huánghòu).
皇后 is a term used for an empress, specifically referring to an empress consort. It is used to denote the wife of an emperor.
Meaning: female monarch of an empire (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 皇后 is composed of 皇, meaning imperial or emperor and 后, meaning queen or empress.
Which one should you use?
While 皇后 (huánghòu) refers to an empress consort (the wife of an emperor), you should use 女皇 (nǚhuáng) if you are referring to an empress regnant, which is a female monarch who rules an empire in her own right.
How do you pronounce it?
huánghòu (/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/)
Did you know?
- The character 皇 is visually composed of a 'crown' element and a 'king' element, emphasizing the divine or celestial nature of the imperial rank.
- In historical Chinese court culture, the 皇后 was not just a spouse but the head of the 'inner palace', overseeing a complex hierarchy of hundreds of concubines and servants.
- Historically, the title 皇后 was often granted posthumously to wives who had not held the rank during their husband's lifetime to honor their virtue.
Examples in context
- 乾隆皇帝的母亲是一位威严的皇太后。The mother of Emperor Qianlong was a dignified empress dowager.
- 到了明代，后妃们的地位更加受到重视。In the Ming Dynasty, the status of empresses and imperial consorts was even more valued.
- 武则天是中国历史上唯一一位女皇。Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history.
- 歷史書記載了皇后的故事。Lìshǐ shū jìzǎile huánghòu de gùshì.History books record the stories of the empress.
Example conversation
At a museum, two friends are discussing a historical exhibit.
- 佳怡 Jiayi這尊雕像是皇后的嗎？Zhè zūn diāoxiàng shì huánghòu de ma?Is this statue of the empress?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，她是當時最有權力的女性。Shì de, tā shì dāngshí zuì yǒu quánlì de nǚxìng.Yes, she was the most powerful woman at that time.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你看她的服飾真華麗。Hàorán, nǐ kàn tā de fúshì zhēn huálì.Haoran, look how magnificent her clothing is.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，這展示了皇后的威嚴。Jiāyí, zhè zhǎnshìle huánghòu de wēiyán.Jiayi, this shows the empress's majesty.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 皇后, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
