Definition
婢女 is a historical term for a female servant or maidservant in ancient China, typically from a poor family who worked in a wealthy household. It does not mean 'concubine' (which is 妾); the existing English gloss is misleading. You'll encounter this word in classical literature, historical dramas, or discussions of traditional social hierarchy. In modern Chinese, 女仆 or 服务员 are used instead.
n.
maidservantfemale servant (in ancient China)
Examples
- ，婢女，。Zài gǔdài, bì nǚ de dìwèi hěn dī, chángcháng yào gàn hěnduō cūhuó.In ancient times, maidservants had very low status and often had to do a lot of rough work.
- 婢女。Zhè bù xiǎoshuō lǐ miáoxiě le yí gè zhōngxīn gěnggěng de bì nǚ.This novel portrays a loyal and devoted maidservant.
- 婢女，。Tā suīrán chūshēn bì nǚ, dàn hòulái chéng le yǒumíng de cáinǚ.Although she was born a maidservant, she later became a famous talented woman.
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