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.
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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.
