Definition
倭 is a bound morpheme (b.f.) that does not stand alone as a word; you will only encounter it inside compounds. It has two unrelated senses: (1) an archaic or regional name for pumpkin, found in 倭瓜 (wōguā, a dialectal term for pumpkin, now mostly replaced by 南瓜), and (2) an old Chinese name for Japan, used in historical terms like 倭寇 (wōkòu, 'Japanese pirates' from the Ming dynasty) and 倭国 (wōguó, 'the country of Wa'). Neither sense is active in everyday modern Chinese, so you should recognize them in literary or historical texts rather than use them actively.
b.f.
(bound form) old name for Japan (in historical compounds like 倭寇 'Japanese pirates', 倭国 'Wa state')(bound form) pumpkin (regional/dialectal, in 倭瓜)
Examples
- 倭。Míng shǐ zhōng jìzǎi le wōkòu duì yánhǎi de qīnrǎo.The Ming history records the raids of Japanese pirates on the coast.
- 倭。Běifāng yǒuxiē dìfāng bǎ nánguā jiàozuò wōguā.In some places in the north, pumpkin is called wōguā.
- 倭。Gǔdài Hànwén zhōng cháng chēng Rìběn wéi wōguó.In ancient Chinese texts, Japan is often referred to as the country of Wa.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.