矦 (hóu) - Marquis — an ancient Chinese noble title ranking & also refers to a target in archery.

矦Tone 2

hóu ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

矦 · hóu

Marquis — an ancient Chinese noble title ranking below a duke and above an earl;

also refers to a target in archery.

Marquis — an ancient Chinese noble title rankingalso refers to a target in archery.

Usage highlights

Marquis titleFeudal lordsTarget in archeryMarquis of a stateNoble rankFive ranks of nobility

Synonyms

  • 侯— Marquis (standard modern form)
  • 爵— noble rank

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was granted the title of Marquis (侯爵).
  • The feudal system had various ranks like Marquis (诸侯).
  • In ancient times, archers aimed at the target called hou (射矦).

Collocations

  • Marquis title(侯爵)
  • Feudal lords(诸侯)
  • Target in archery(射矦)
  • Marquis of a state(侯国)
  • Noble rank(侯位)
  • Five ranks of nobility(公侯伯子男)

Idioms

  • To become a marquis(封侯)
  • Marquises and nobles(王侯将相)
  • To wait for the rabbit by the tree stump (守株待兔) — originally involving a marquis

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the five aristocratic ranks (公侯伯子男) in Zhou dynasty feudalism.
  • The character originally depicted an arrow hitting a target, reflecting its connection to archery.
  • Later became exclusively used for the noble title, with 侯 becoming the standard form.

FAQ