Definition
后宫 refers both to the physical living quarters of the emperor's consorts in ancient Chinese palaces and to the group of women who lived there — the empress, imperial consorts, and concubines. In modern contexts, the term is often used in historical dramas (宫斗剧) and can metaphorically describe a situation where one person is surrounded by multiple romantic partners (e.g., 'harem' in anime or fiction). The concept carries strong cultural associations with power, intrigue, and hierarchy.
noun
the imperial haremthe inner palace quarters reserved for the emperor's consortsthe collective body of imperial consorts and concubines
Examples
- 后宫。Zhè bù diànshìjù jiǎngshù le hòu gōng zhōng fēizimen zhījiān de míngzhēng àndòu.This TV series tells the story of the open and secret struggles among the concubines in the imperial harem.
- 后宫。Gǔdài hòu gōng zhìdù fǎnyìng le fēngjiàn shèhuì de děngjí guānniàn.The ancient imperial harem system reflected the hierarchical concepts of feudal society.
- 后宫。Hěn duō wǎngluò xiǎoshuō dōu cǎiyòng hòu gōng zhēngchǒng de tícái.Many web novels adopt the theme of competing for favor in the imperial harem.
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