archaic self-reference of a widow
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
archaic self-appellation of a widow; (literally) she who has not yet died
archaicA literary term used by widows in traditional China to refer to themselves, implying that they have not yet died and joined their deceased husbands. Now considered archaic and found mainly in historical texts or period fiction.
Tā她
shǒu守
guǎ寡
duō多
nián年
，
cháng常
zì自
chēng称
wèi未
wáng亡
rén人
。
She had been widowed for many years and often referred to herself as 'the one who has not yet died.'
Gǔ古
dài代
guǎ寡
fù妇
duō多
yǐ以
wèi未
wáng亡
rén人
zì自
chēng称
，
yǐ以
shì示
duì对
wáng亡
fū夫
de的
zhōng忠
zhēn贞
。
In ancient times, widows often used 'wei wang ren' as a self-reference to demonstrate their loyalty to their deceased husbands.
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Xìn信
zhōng中
xiě写
dào道
：
"
wèi未
wáng亡
rén人
jǐn谨
qǐ启
………
…
"
The letter read: 'Respectfully written by the widow...'