伍子胥

Wǔ Zǐxū

proper noun

Meanings

1 Wu Zixu (d. 484 BC), Chu-born minister and general of the state of Wu, who took revenge on Chu for the killing of his family

Characters

master (in his courtesy name)

all; together (in his courtesy name)

Examples

HSK 4

伍子胥原来是楚国人。

Wǔ Zǐxū yuánlái shì Chǔguó rén.

Wu Zixu was originally from the state of Chu.

HSK 6

传说伍子胥逃离楚国时，一夜之间头发全白了。

Chuánshuō Wǔ Zǐxū táolí Chǔguó shí, yí yè zhījiān tóufa quán bái le.

Legend says that while Wu Zixu was fleeing Chu, his hair turned white overnight.

Tips

history

His father and elder brother were put to death by 楚平王. He fled to Wu, and in 506 BC led its army into the Chu capital, where he had the dead king's body dug up and flogged. Later he warned 夫差 not to trust 勾践 of Yue, was ordered to kill himself, and asked that his eyes be hung on the city gate to watch Yue march in.

culture

Around Suzhou the Dragon Boat Festival has long honoured him rather than 屈原, since his body was thrown into the river.

Stroke Order

伍 wǔ

子 zǐ

胥 xū