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Zhou facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Zhou is a Chinese word with a few different meanings. It can be a name, a place, or a common family name.

What Does "Zhou" Mean?

The word "Zhou" (周) can mean different things in China. It is often used to talk about important parts of Chinese history and culture.

Zhou as a Dynasty

"Zhou" can refer to one of two important ruling families, known as dynasties, in ancient China.

  • The first and most famous Zhou Dynasty was very long. It ruled China from 1122 BC to 256 BC. This was a time of big changes and new ideas in Chinese history.
  • Another, shorter Zhou Dynasty ruled much later, from 690 AD to 705 AD.

Zhou as a Political Area

In modern China, "Zhou" can also be a type of political area. Think of it like a region or a district within the country.

Zhou as a Word for "State"

Interestingly, the Chinese word "Zhou" also means "U.S. state". So, if you were talking about a state in America, you might use the word "Zhou" in Chinese.

Zhou as a Surname

"Zhou" (周) is also a very common Chinese family name, like "Smith" or "Jones" in English-speaking countries. Many famous people have this surname.

Famous People with the Surname Zhou

Here are some well-known people who have the surname Zhou:

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