Meaning
王 originally meant 'king' or 'monarch' in ancient China, representing the supreme ruler. The character itself resembles three horizontal lines connected by a vertical line, symbolizing the connection between heaven, earth, and humanity through the ruler. Today it functions both as a common surname (the most common in China) and retains its meaning of 'king' or 'ruler' in compound words.
Usage
As a surname, 王 is extremely common and pronounced in neutral or second tone depending on region. In compounds, it often conveys the meaning of 'king', 'chief', or 'supreme'. When referring to royalty or rulers, it's typically used in compounds like 国王 (guó wáng) rather than alone in modern contexts.
Examples
- 01他姓王，叫王明。, .His surname is Wang, his name is Wang Ming.
- 02狮子是森林之王。.The lion is the king of the forest.
Measure words
- 位一位王
Common collocations
- 王朝dynasty
- 王国kingdom
- 王牌trump card; ace
- 大王king; magnate
Antonyms
Origin
The character 王 is a pictograph showing three horizontal lines (representing heaven, earth, and humanity) connected by a vertical stroke, symbolizing the king as the link between all three realms. In oracle bone script, it resembled an axe, symbol of royal power.