Definition
二房 is a historical term with two related but distinct meanings in traditional Chinese family structure. It can refer to the second branch of a family (the line of the second son or the second wife's children), often used in genealogical contexts. It also historically referred to a concubine, especially in polygamous households where the principal wife (正妻) held higher status. The word is now mostly encountered in historical or clan records.
noun
second branch of a family (in traditional clan structure)concubine (historical)
Examples
- ，二房。Zài gǔdài, èr fáng de dìwèi bǐ zhèngqī dī hěnduō.In ancient times, a concubine's status was much lower than that of the principal wife.
- 二房。Tāmen jiā de èr fáng zài Qīngcháo chū le hěnduō dúshūrén.Their family's second branch produced many scholars in the Qing dynasty.
- 二房。Zhè běn jiāpǔ bǎ dà fáng hé èr fáng fēn de hěn qīngchu.This genealogy book clearly distinguishes the first branch and the second branch.
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