Zhou facts for kids
Zhou is a Chinese word with a few different meanings. It can be a name, a place, or a common family name.
Contents
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:
- Stephen Chow: A famous actor and director from Hong Kong. He is known for his funny movies.
- Chow Yun-Fat: Another popular actor, known for his roles in movies like Anna and the King.
- Zhou Enlai: An important Chinese politician who helped lead the country for many years.
- Jay Chou: A very popular singer and songwriter. He is famous for his music in Asia.
- Norm Chow: An American football coach.
- Olivia Chow: A Canadian politician.
- Zhou Yu: A great general from the ancient Chinese period known as the Three Kingdoms. He was a smart military leader for the Kingdom of Wu.