儿郎
man; son; term of address for a young man
Meanings
3 senses · 5 examplesnoun
young man; man
literaryA literary or classical term for a man, often a young man. Also used in certain set phrases and names.
A fine young man should have his ambitions set on the four corners of the world.
A reference to the story of Zhou Yu appreciating music, where '郎' refers to a talented gentleman.
noun
son
archaicUsed in classical or regional contexts to refer to a son.
While the specific word '郎' isn't here, '儿' (son) is analogous in poetry like 'Mulan'. The sense of '郎' as son appears in texts like '木兰无长兄，家中无郎'.
noun
soldier; underling; henchman
archaicUsed historically or in classical contexts to refer to soldiers or the men under a commander's or bandit leader's command.
Under the general's command were three thousand elite soldiers.
He's just a minor henchman under the mountain bandit king.