南冠楚囚 — “Southern-capped Chu captive”
南冠楚囚 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a prisoner of war, especially one from the State of Chu in ancient China; generally refers to any prisoner or captive”. Literally, “Southern-capped Chu captive”.
南冠楚囚 Pronunciation and Pinyin
南冠楚囚 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 南冠楚囚
Origin and Story of 南冠楚囚
In 584 BC, King Gong of Chu launched a military campaign against the State of Zheng. Duke Jing of Jin, coming to Zheng's aid, severely defeated the Chu army. Among the captives was a Chu official named Zhong Yi.
He was imprisoned in the army's storeroom. Every day, Zhong Yi would wear his distinct Chu cap and stand facing south, yearning for his homeland.
Two years later, Duke Jing of Jin noticed his steadfast loyalty. He invited Zhong Yi to play the zither, and, moved by his character, personally released him.
Duke Jing hoped Zhong Yi would return to Chu and help foster peace between their two states.
Idioms Related to 南冠楚囚
More idioms starting with 南
- nán南rén人jià驾chuán船，，běi北rén人chéng乘mǎ马different people have different skills
- nán南běi北dōng东xī西all directions; everywhere
- nán南qù去běi北lái来to come and go
- nán南shān山zhī之shòu寿long life like the South Mountain
- nán南shān山kě可yí移Absolutely firm and unchangeable
- nán南shān山kě可yí移，，pàn判bù不kě可yáo摇An unchangeable, firm judgment
- nán南shān山kě可yí移，，cǐ此àn案bù不dòng动This case is final and unchangeable
- nán南shān山yǒu有niǎo鸟，，běi北shān山zhāng张luo罗bark up the wrong tree
- nán南shān山tiě铁àn案a settled and unalterable case
- nán南shān山yǐn隐bào豹wise person living in seclusion
- nán南zhōu州guān冠miǎn冕outstanding talent from the southern region
- nán南zhēng征běi北fá伐campaigning and fighting extensively
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Open the tool →Questions about 南冠楚囚
What does 南冠楚囚 mean?
南冠楚囚 (nán guān chǔ qiú) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a prisoner of war, especially one from the State of Chu in ancient China; generally refers to any prisoner or captive”.
How do you pronounce 南冠楚囚?
南冠楚囚 is pronounced nán guān chǔ qiú in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 南冠楚囚 literally mean?
Literally, 南冠楚囚 means “Southern-capped Chu captive”. It is used to mean “a prisoner of war, especially one from the State of Chu in ancient China; generally refers to any prisoner or captive”.
Where does 南冠楚囚 come from?
南冠楚囚 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 南冠楚囚?
南冠：楚国在南方，因此称楚冠为南冠。本指被俘的楚国囚犯。后泛称囚犯或战俘。