国王
Traditional: 國王
guó wáng HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

国王住在宫殿里。
Guówáng zhù zài gōngdiàn lǐ.
The king lives in the palace.
国王有很多士兵。
Guówáng yǒu hěnduō shìbīng.
The king has many soldiers.
国王决定帮助人民。
Guówáng juédìng bāngzhù rénmín.
The king decided to help the people.
国王很老。
Guówáng hěn lǎo.
The king is very old.
国王戴王冠。
Guówáng dài wángguān.
The king wears a crown.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 国 (guó) means 'country' or 'nation,' and 王 (wáng) means 'king' or 'ruler.' So, 国王 literally means 'country king'—the ruler of a country. Think of a king governing his 国 (nation) as 王 (the monarch).

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, such as in historical discussions, news, literature, or fairy tales. It appears in contexts involving monarchy, succession, or governance, like '新国王登基' (the new king ascends the throne).

📖 Grammar Points

国王 is used as a subject or object in sentences, often modified by adjectives or possessive pronouns, e.g., '勇敢的国王' (brave king) or '我们的国王' (our king). It can also be part of compound nouns like '国王制度' (monarchy system).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 国王 is less common historically than 皇帝, as China was largely an imperial system. The term often appears in contexts related to foreign monarchies, Western history, or fictional stories, reflecting a universal concept of kingship rather than a traditional Chinese institution.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 皇帝 (huángdì, 'emperor'), which implies rule over an empire or multiple kingdoms, 国王 typically governs a single kingdom. 王子 (wángzǐ) means 'prince' (the king's son), and 女王 (nǚwáng) means 'queen' (a female ruler).

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