周瑜 (Zhōuyú): Zhou Yu (175–210), celebrated Eastern Wu general who commanded the allied victory over Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs

Meanings

1 Zhou Yu (175–210), celebrated Eastern Wu general who commanded the allied victory over Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs

Characters

周

zhōu

Zhou dynasty; surname; week

瑜

yú

fine jade; virtue

Examples

周瑜在赤壁之战中打败了曹操。

Zhōuyú zài Chìbì zhī zhàn zhōng dǎbài le Cáo Cāo.

Zhou Yu defeated Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs.

俗话说:'既生瑜,何生亮?'

Súhuà shuō: 'Jì shēng Yú, hé shēng Liàng?'

As the saying goes: 'Since Heaven made Yu, why also make Liang?'

Tips

history

The historical Zhou Yu was elegant, generous, and musically gifted — the phrase 曲有误,周郎顾 ('if a song is off, Master Zhou will turn his head') records his musical ear.

culture

《三国演义》 portrays him as petty and jealous of Zhuge Liang — this is novelistic invention. The real Zhou Yu was widely respected; the 'jealous rival' image comes from Luo Guanzhong, not from history.