媵 (yìng) - Attendant & a maid or female companion who accompanies a

媵Tone 4

yìng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

樱咏

媵 · yìng

Attendant;

a maid or female companion who accompanies a bride to her new home;

in ancient times, a secondary wife or concubine given as part of a marriage arrangement.

Attendanta maid or female companion who accompanies ain ancient times, a secondary wife or concubine

Usage highlights

Accompanying maidSecondary wifeMarriage attendantBride's companionNoble marriage practiceAccompanying as part of dowry

Synonyms

  • 妾— Concubine
  • 侍— Attendant, maid
  • 婢— Servant girl

Antonyms

  • 妻— Principal wife
  • 主— Master, principal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bride was accompanied by her maid (媵侍).
  • In ancient times, noble marriages often included secondary wives (媵妾).
  • She served as an attendant to the princess (公主的媵从).

Collocations

  • Accompanying maid(媵侍)
  • Secondary wife(媵妾)
  • Marriage attendant(媵从)
  • Bride's companion(媵婢)
  • Noble marriage practice(媵制)
  • Accompanying as part of dowry(媵送)

Idioms

  • To serve as an attendant in marriage(以媵相从)
  • The system of accompanying secondary wives(媵妾制度)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese aristocratic marriages, particularly during the Zhou to Han dynasties, it was customary for a bride to be accompanied by her sisters or female relatives as secondary wives or attendants.
  • This practice, known as the 'ying' system, was part of diplomatic marriages between noble families to strengthen alliances.
  • The character reflects the social hierarchy and marital customs of ancient Chinese aristocracy.

FAQ