Definition
西宫 literally means 'Western Palace' — historically, the residence of imperial concubines in the Forbidden City. By metonymy, the same term also refers to the imperial concubine who lived there. You'll encounter this word in historical novels, palace dramas, and classical texts about Chinese imperial life.
p.w.
Western Palace (residence of imperial concubines)imperial concubine (by metonymy)
Examples
- ，西宫。Zài gǔdài, xī gōng shì huángdì fēizi jūzhù de dìfang.In ancient times, the Western Palace was where the emperor's concubines lived.
- 西宫。Tā xiě le yì běn guānyú xī gōng de lìshǐ xiǎoshuō.He wrote a historical novel about the Western Palace.
- 西宫。Zhè wèi xī gōng zài hòugōng zhōng hěn yǒu quánshì.This imperial concubine was very powerful in the harem.
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