纣 (zhòu) - Cruel, tyrannical & specifically refers to King Zhou of Shang, the

纣Tone 4

zhòu ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 纟

志

纣 · zhòu

Cruel, tyrannical;

specifically refers to King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang dynasty, known for his depravity and cruelty;

part of a horse's crupper.

Cruel, tyrannicalspecifically refers to King Zhou of Shang, thepart of a horse's crupper.

Usage highlights

King Zhou of ShangZhou's crueltyZhou's tyrannyCrupperTo help a tyrant do evil

Synonyms

  • 暴— tyrannical, cruel
  • 虐— cruel, oppressive
  • 昏君— foolish and incompetent ruler

Antonyms

  • 仁— benevolent, kind
  • 明君— wise and capable ruler
  • 贤— virtuous, worthy

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • King Zhou of Shang (商纣王) was the last ruler of the Shang dynasty.
  • He was known for his cruelty and tyranny (纣虐).
  • The term 'Zhou' is often used to describe a tyrant (暴君).

Collocations

  • King Zhou of Shang(商纣王)
  • Zhou's cruelty(纣虐)
  • Zhou's tyranny(纣暴)
  • Crupper (a strap under a horse's tail)(纣棍)
  • To help a tyrant do evil(助纣为虐)

Idioms

  • To help a tyrant do evil(助纣为虐)
  • Zhou's road leads to ruin(纣之亡路)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically, King Zhou of Shang is the archetypal evil ruler in Chinese history, whose misrule led to the downfall of the Shang dynasty.
  • His name became synonymous with tyranny and cruelty, often contrasted with the virtuous King Wen and King Wu of Zhou.
  • The character also has an older, neutral meaning referring to a part of a horse's harness (the crupper).

FAQ