Definition
上房 refers to the main rooms in a traditional Chinese courtyard house (四合院), typically the north-facing rooms reserved for the head of the household or honored guests. In historical contexts, it can also refer to the wife (as opposed to concubines). This is a formal, somewhat archaic term you'll encounter in classical literature or historical dramas, not in everyday conversation.
p.w.
main rooms (in a traditional courtyard house)(historical) wife (as opposed to concubines)
Examples
- 上房。Zhè dòng sìhéyuàn de shǎng shì zhǔrén zhù de dìfang.The main rooms of this courtyard house are where the owner lives.
- ,上房。Zài gǔdài, shǎng tōngcháng liú gěi zhǎngbèi jūzhù.In ancient times, the main rooms were usually reserved for elders.
- ,上房。Xiǎoshuō li tídào, zhè wèi shǎng chūshēn míngmén.The novel mentions that this wife came from a distinguished family.
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