寇 (kòu) - Bandit, invader, enemy & to invade, to plunder

寇Tone 4

kòu ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

寇 · kòu

Bandit, invader, enemy;

to invade, to plunder;

also a surname.

Bandit, invader, enemyto invade, to plunderalso a surname.

Usage highlights

Bandit armyEnemy invadersJapanese piratesTo resist banditsKou family nameBandit's den

Synonyms

  • 盗— thief, robber
  • 匪— bandit, outlaw
  • 贼— traitor, thief

Antonyms

  • 兵— soldier (lawful force)
  • 官— official (lawful authority)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The village was attacked by bandits (寇盗).
  • He is a descendant of the Kou family (寇氏).
  • During the war, the city suffered from enemy invasion (敌寇入侵).
  • The historical records mention Kou Zhun (寇准), a famous Song dynasty chancellor.

Collocations

  • Bandit army(寇军)
  • Enemy invaders(敌寇)
  • Japanese pirates(倭寇)
  • To resist bandits(御寇)
  • Kou family name(寇姓)
  • Bandit's den(寇巢)

Idioms

  • To treat guests as bandits(视如寇仇)
  • To be besieged by bandits(寇乱相寻)
  • To join the bandits(落草为寇)
  • To harbor a deep-seated hatred(深仇宿寇)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used to refer to foreign invaders, rebels, or plunderers, carrying a strong negative connotation.
  • The character appears in historical contexts such as 'Wokou' (倭寇) referring to Japanese pirates who raided China's coast.
  • Also used as a surname, with notable historical figures like Kou Zhun from the Song Dynasty.

FAQ